3 Ohio Meeting Venues for Winter
When winter’s chill keeps meetings indoors, find fun through discovery and learning at these venues that embrace science, history and the cozy charm of Amish Country.
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery | Dayton
For those who thought this Dayton science center was just for kids, think again. It features a children’s museum, natural history museum, planetarium and zoo under one roof, making it a great stop not just for hosting meetings but for making discoveries.
Several meeting options are available at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, with the largest being the main exhibit hall that can accommodate 250 people. Smaller groups of up to 30 can opt for classroom spaces, and 10 to 12 participants can book the showroom in the former planetarium. Larger groups can even opt for an after-hours museum buyout. Event planners are welcome to coordinate their own outside catering, but the museum also has a list of recommended vendors.
Discovery isn’t just in the museum’s name but also in its nature. Event add-ons open new doors to explore and include options such as museum tours, planetarium shows, hands-on science demonstrations and even animal encounters with creatures from the on-site zoo like Patience the sloth. No visit is complete without a trip down the enclosed tube slide, even if you left your playground days behind years ago.
“Being an adult in a space that’s often geared towards children, it can bring out that inner kid for everyone,” says Abby Doza Hall, director of community relations at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. “In corporate events, typically people have to put on their professional face, but when you’re in a fun kids area, you get to have a different experience.” 2600 Deweese Pkwy., Dayton 45414, 937-275-7431, boonshoft.org
Ohio Statehouse | Columbus
Inspire your staff by hosting your next event at one of our state’s most famous buildings. The Ohio Statehouse in Columbus offers classrooms for meetings during the day, but planners can also arrange after-hours receptions and gatherings in the Atrium, located between the Senate Building and Statehouse. An event here connects citizens to their state government, and adding a tour helps attendees better understand the building’s beauty and significance. 1 Capitol Square, Columbus 43215, 614-752-9777, ohiostatehouse.org
Carlisle Inn | Sugarcreek
For a full slate of accommodations in Ohio’s Amish Country, opt for the Carlisle Inn Sugarcreek. It features two large areas for hosting, including a conference center for around 300 participants. For lunch and dinner, the adjacent Dutch Valley Restaurant serves homestyle favorites like fried chicken, noodles and mashed potatoes. Also on-site, the Ohio Star Theater can be booked when performances are not scheduled. 1357 Old Rte. 39 NE, Sugarcreek 44681, 330-852-2586, dhgroup.com