Seattle’s Backyard Attracts Meetings and Events
By Ron Engeldinger
Located just 15 minutes south of downtown Seattle and 20 minutes north of Tacoma, the region known as Seattle Southside is an attractive alternative for meetings and events in the Seattle Metropolitan area. “We are an affordable and readily accessible region,” says Jené Iceberg, regional meetings manager for the Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority.
Iceberg adds, “Our area offers many cost-saving opportunities. Hotel rates are often 20 to 30 percent lower than comparable facilities in downtown Seattle. With lower taxes and expenses, we can offer many ways to keep your expenses in line.”
Located at the convergence of I-5 and I-405, the area is conveniently accessed by car from anywhere in the Northwest. The region is also the home of Sea-Tac International Airport, making it a non-stop plane ride away from nearly 100 cities across the globe, while the Link Light Rail System provides car-free access to and from downtown Seattle.
The region is home to the second largest collection of hotels in the state of Washington, so planners will be able to find just the right venue to host their gathering. In addition to the wide range of hotel offerings, the area has a diverse selection of unique venues. From historic waterfront auditorium to amazing museums. Venues offering fun and excitement abound, and the region has a wide variety of shopping and dining options.
Whether it is a large multi-day conference, an intimate board retreat or a special event, Seattle Southside has the facilities to accommodate any group.
MEET AND STAY
Situated on 11 lush acres and surrounded by restored wetlands, Cedarbrook Lodge is an urban oasis, making it an ideal location for conferences and events. With 18,000 square feet of indoor event space in 13 meeting and banquet rooms and 5,500 square feet of landscaped outdoor areas, the lodge can accommodate as many as 300 guests. The 167 luxurious guest rooms offer a relaxed get-away in a convenient location.
With panoramic views of the Cascade and Olympic mountains, the DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport hosts large and small gathering of every type. Located less than a mile from Sea-Tac International Airport, the venue offers 34,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The Grand Ballroom can accommodate groups as large as 1,500, while smaller rooms of varying sizes support breakout sessions and smaller groups. Complimentary WiFi, free airport shuttle service, customized catering menus and comprehensive logistical support will make
your event successful.
The 5,000-square-foot Summit Ballroom with views of Mount Rainier provides a distinctive setting for a group event at the Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport. The hotel’s variety of meeting rooms can accommodate any function. Complimentary WiFi, on-site catering and a full range of services are available to support your event.
Adjacent to Sea-Tac International Airport and a Link Light Rail station, the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center is comfortable and convenient. The 40,000 square feet of meeting and event space include an expansive ballroom that can even accommodate cars and trucks for a trade show. Elegant spaces surrounding a colorful courtyard give the venue an inviting ambience. The hotel offers complimentary WiFi, free airport shuttle, on-site catering and a full range of event support services.
As you enter the Seattle Airport Marriott, the two-story wood-beamed atrium and grand fireplace provide a comfortable, lodge-like ambience. More than 18,000 square feet of event space includes the Washington Ballroom that can accommodate up to 620 seated guests. A myriad of additional ballrooms, breakout rooms and suites offer groups of any size the ideal space. The full-service support includes high quality audiovisual equipment, WiFi and wired internet and complete on-site catering.
Additional hotels with meeting space include the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport– Southcenter, that can accommodate events up to 700; Four Points by Sheraton Seattle Airport South with more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space and rooms that can hold up to 320; Radisson Hotel Seattle Airport with eight meeting rooms and space for up to 200; and the Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Tacoma with nine meeting rooms and capacity of up to 300 seated guests.
Easy access and all the amenities of a modern conference facility makes the Conference Center at Sea-Tac International Airport a unique option. The meeting spaces range from the 450-square-foot Tokyo Room, suitable for up to 10 guests, to the International Auditorium, seating up to 210. The flexible arrangement allows groups to conduct a large meeting with breakout sessions or to conduct several small meetings simultaneously. The facility provides a secure, dedicated conference WiFi along with wired internet access for the presenter. The latest in audiovisual equipment will support any presentation. Café Pacific Catering, the Center’s exclusive caterer, offers a variety of menu options for any gathering.
UNIQUE MEETING VENUES
Make your meeting or event special by allowing the group to experience the wonder of flight at the largest independent non-profit air and space museum in the world. The Museum of Flight offers a wide array of unusual event spaces and special activities for groups of any size. With famous aircraft suspended above, any gathering will be special in the awe-inspiring Great Gallery. For a special treat, groups meeting in the Great Gallery can experience the exhilaration of air and space flight in the museum’s flight simulators.
Rooms of various sizes and configurations can support conferences, seminars, presentations and banquets for any occasion. The museum can provide an extensive lineup of interesting experiences to add a special touch to your event. A living history presentation or interactive experiences in the Aviation Learning Center and Challenger Learning Center entertain and educate. The Museum of Flight offers complimentary WiFi, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, free parking and full-service catering by McCormick & Schmicks.
With the waters of Puget Sound gently caressing the quiet beach at Des Moines, Washington, the idyllic Beach Park Event Center has a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces for groups of any size. The indoor facilities range from rustic to contemporary, and the spacious lawns, gardens and parking lots provide room for large outdoor events and group activities.
Bowling is a sport that participants of all ages can enjoy, and meetings at the Acme Bowling, Billiards and Events can be both fruitful and entertaining. Team building will be fun when you divide into groups for a bowling tournament in Seven10, the ten-lane private bowling area. Billiard tables and arcade games allow groups to let loose and have fun after a productive meeting. The facility has a variety of private spaces and the event services team can create specialized activities to meet the needs of your group. Amenities include on-site catering, complimentary WiFi and free parking.
Imagine feeling the exhilaration of skydiving without having to go up in an airplane. If you are looking for a thrilling experience for your next group meeting or retreat, consider iFly Seattle. iFly Seattle offers the adrenaline rush of skydiving in a fun, safe indoor environment. If your group wants a unique venue for a meeting or just a fun team-building activity, the staff at iFly Seattle can deliver a memorable event for groups as large as 150.
Sykart Indoor Racing is an exciting space to conduct a team-building exercise, an off-site staff meeting, a fundraising activity or to celebrate special occasion. The facility’s high-performance go-karts are ready to teat your groups competitive nature in an elimination tournament or a relay race where each team shares a kart.
OUT AND ABOUT
The Seattle Southside region offers a rich variety of activities to enhance your meeting or event. On the shores of Puget Sound, the city of Des Moines has public beaches, a full-service marina and scenic public parks. Groups will enjoy an afternoon exploring the interesting boutiques, local restaurants and fun entertainment venues. For active visitors, boating, kayaking and even scuba diving opportunities await.
The city of Tukwila, home of one of the largest shopping centers in the Northwest, Westfield Southcenter Mall, is a renowned retail and entertainment community. For a fun group activity, tour the factory and sample the treats at Seattle Chocolate’s flagship store, located near the Mall. Tukwila is also the home of Acme Bowling and Events and Sykart Indoor Racing, with the Museum of Flight only a few miles north.
CONNECT:
Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority
Seattle Southside region has 8,000 guest rooms
seattlesouthside.com
Cedarbrook Lodge
• 167 guest rooms
• 18,100 square feet of meeting and event space
• 13 meeting rooms
• 300 seated capacity in largest room
Meredith Mara, director of sales
206-254-9923
mmara@columbiahospitality.com
cedarbrooklodge.com
DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport
• 850 guest rooms
• 40,000 square feet of meeting and event space
• 26 meeting rooms
• 1,500 seated capacity on largest room
Bruce Janzen, area director of sales and marketing
206-246-8600
bruce.janzen@hilton.com
hilton.com
Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport
• 260 guest rooms
• 12,000 square feet of meeting and event space
• Six meeting rooms
• 400 seated capacity in largest room
Linda Botts, director of sales and marketing
206-248-1000
lbotts@cpseattleaiport.com
ihg.com
Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center
• 396 guest rooms
• 40,000 square feet of meeting and event space
• 26 meeting rooms
• 1,200 seated capacity in largest room
Bruce Janzen, area director of sales and marketing
206-244-4800
bruce.janzen@hilton.com
hilton.com
Seattle Airport Marriott
• 459 guest rooms
• 18,000 square feet of meeting and event space
• 28 meeting and event rooms
• 620 seated capacity on largest room
Michelle Santiago-Fuller, director of sales and marketing
206-241-2000
marriott.com
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Seattle
Airport – Southcenter
• 219 guest rooms
• 12,377 square feet of meeting and event space
• 16 meeting rooms
• 700 seated capacity in largest room
Bruce Janzen, area director of sales and marketing
206-246-8600
bruce.janzen@hilton.com
doubletree3.hilton.com
Four Points by Sheraton Seattle Airport South
• 225 guest rooms
• 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space
• Five meeting rooms
• 320 seated capacity in largest room
Courtney Antram, director of sales and marketing
206-248-1000
fourpointsseattleairportsouth.com
Radisson Hotel Seattle Airport
• 204 guest rooms
• 4,027 square feet of meeting and event space
• Eight meeting rooms
• 200 seated capacity in largest room
Diana Braga, executive meeting manager
206-244-6679
diana.braga@radisson.com
radisson.com
Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle-Tacoma
• 238 guest rooms
• 5,004 square feet of meeting and event space
• Nine meeting rooms
• 300 seated capacity in largest room
Sherrel Caprio, director of sales and marketing
425-227-8844
sherrel.caprio@hilton.com
embassysuites3.hilton.com
The Conference Center at Sea-Tac International Airport
• 7,000 square feet of meeting and event space
• Seven meeting rooms
• 220 seated capacity in largest meeting room
Amy McDonough, sales & operations manager
mcdonough.a@portseattle.org
206-787-6663
portofseattle.org/business/conference-facilities
The Museum of Flight
• 141,000 square feet of meeting and event space
• 14 meeting rooms
• 4,000 seated capacity in largest room
Erika Callahan, vice president of marketing
206-768-7104
privateevents@museumofflight.org
museumofflight.org
Des Moines Beach Park Event Center
• 5,700 square feet of meeting and event space
• Four meeting rooms
• 525 seated capacity in largest room
Shannon Kirchberg, events and facilities coordinator
206-870-9370
skirchberg@desmoineswa.gov
beachparkeventcenter.com
Acme Bowling Billiards and Events
• 51,000 square feet of meeting and event space
• Five meeting rooms
• 1,000 seated capacity in largest room
Tasha Wood, director of sales
206-340-0202
acmebowl.com
IFly Seattle Indoor Sky Diving
• 6,500 square feet of meeting and event space
• Three meeting rooms
• 150 seated capacity in largest room
James Beauchamp, sales director
206-456-8601
sales.seattle@iflyworld.com
iflyworld.com/seattle
SyKart Indoor Racing
• 3,000 square feet of meeting and event space
• One meeting room
• 250 seated capacity in meeting room
Steve Han, manager
425-251-5060
s.han@sykart.com
sykart.com/tukwila
