2 3 MEETINMERIDIAN.COM MEET IN MERIDIAN Meridian is a historic city that’s experiencing a renaissance thanks largely to its distinctive downtown conference center. Explore the following pages to uncover all you need to know about your ideal meeting destination. CONTENTS 4 Incomparable Meeting Venue 6 Fabulous Hotels 8 Eclectic, Unique Off-Site Venues 12 Divine Catering & Dine-Around Options 14 Ideal Location & Expertly Handled Logistics
4 5 MEETINMERIDIAN.COM INCOMPARABLE MEETING VENUE Meeting Spaces for 20 to 1,000 The Riley Center’s historic theater provides the perfect backdrop for keynote speeches, general sessions, and awards ceremonies, accommodating up to 1,000 people. Since its opening, the resurrected theater has become the region’s premier performing-arts venue, hosting hundreds of musical, theatrical, and dance performances. As a bonus, meeting participants can attend shows that occur during their visit. Check the Riley Center’s events schedule when setting your conference dates. Flexible and customizable, the Riley Center’s dozen-plus meeting spaces feature top-quality audio, video, internet, and recording capabilities. The wide variety of spaces in the compact four-floor layout allows for ultimate creativity and flair. There’s even a 2,500-square-foot Studio Theater featuring full theatrical sound, lighting systems, and a dance floor if desired. The possibilities are endless. Unforgettable Setting + Unparalleled Service = Perfect Meeting How often does the venue itself become a highlight of a meeting? It happens all the time in Meridian. That’s because the MSU Riley Center is a different kind of conference facility, one with charm, personality, and a story to tell. Grand old buildings were given new life in 2006, when the MSU Riley Center opened its fully restored Grand Opera House theater and 30,000 square feet of conference space. State-of-the-art amenities upgrade an exquisite structure that dates back to 1889. Today, Visit Meridian and the Riley Center work together to coordinate every last meeting detail for you. Come meet in Meridian and write your own story. Transportation, Parking & Valet Services Transportation to and from hotels and the Riley Center can be arranged and in many cases can be included without additional fees. To make things as smooth and easy as possible, Visit Meridian will coordinate transportation needs along with hotel room blocks. There’s also convenient parking just one block from the Riley Center. And, for ultimate convenience, valet parking services are available via the Threefoot Hotel. Just let us know your preferences, and we’ll take care of the rest. Voted One of the Best Meeting and Social Venues in the Southeast Professional Tech Support State-of-the-art in-house audiovisual equipment is included with rental. The on-site IT and technical crew may be the most important part of the whole operation. The professionally trained staff stays close by to keep things running smoothly, assisting presenters and providing technical support as needed.
6 7 MEETINMERIDIAN.COM FABULOUS HOTELS New Downtown Hotel Revitalizes Art Deco Landmark Steps from Conference Center Right across the street from the MSU Riley Center, you’ll find the Threefoot Hotel. The building holds a special place in Meridian’s history. When the 16-story office tower opened in 1929 at the peak of the city’s Golden Age, it was the tallest structure in Mississippi (and it’s still the tallest in Meridian). Today, the Threefoot Hotel operates as a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, part of Marriott’s boutique collection. The hotel features modern guest rooms and other interior spaces while preserving Jazz Age decorative touches both inside and out. It provides ideal accommodations for VIPs, speakers, board members, early-bird bookers, and other special guests. Topping it all off is Boxcar, the hotel’s breathtaking rooftop bar, with stunning views. 2,000+ Rooms You’ll find another 2,000+ rooms from all of your favorite flags less than 10 minutes from the Riley Center just off Interstate 59/20. Our lodging inventory has evolved significantly in the past few years, which means that many properties are either new or recently renovated. BRANDS YOU KNOW Visit Meridian can help secure the rooms you need, assist with contracts, and provide transportation between lodging and venues, often at no additional charge. Because of high demand from interstate travelers, properties are usually flexible enough to maintain discounted group rates even in cases of minor attrition. Many hotels have meeting space as well. Visit MeetInMeridian.com for details.
8 9 MEETINMERIDIAN.COM ECLECTIC, UNIQUE OFF-SITE VENUES CREATE EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES A variety of whimsical and remarkable spaces are within half a mile of the MSU Riley Center – a quick walk or at most a three-minute ride. Visit Meridian can arrange group transportation according to your needs. In most cases, booking and billing for off-site events can be coordinated and paid for through the Riley Center. Let us know what you want, and we’ll do the legwork for you. The MAX (Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience) This one-of-a-kind interactive showcase celebrates Mississippi’s creative culture and artistic genius, leaving you entertained and inspired. • Courtyard: Enjoy more than 6,000 square feet of outdoor space, including a covered stage with a shimmering glass backdrop and splashing fountains. • Hall of Fame: Dine or sip alongside Mississippi legends in the soaring cylindrical centerpiece. Two stories of famous faces all around you will eavesdrop on your evening reception for up to 250 or seated banquet for up to 150. • Roof Terrace: The breezy, open-air terrace offers an ideal spot for intimate, exclusive receptions with spectacular views of downtown.
10 11 MEETINMERIDIAN.COM Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian This vibrant, airy, brightly colored attraction will put a smile on the face of any kid at heart. It weaves a lot of Meridian’s heritage into its hands-on displays. • The 10,000-square-foot main floor, suitable for colorful receptions, includes five galleries of interactive exhibits. • The 25,000-square-foot outdoor space includes a whimsical garden with plantings and water features. Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum Meridian’s industrial past comes to life at the only remaining steam engine factory in the United States. The Soulé Steam Feed Works now serves as a unique historical setting for banquets and other social functions. Nowhere else can you chat and mingle in an authentic 19th-century factory among brawny machines powered by long belts from a shaft in the ceiling. The museum can supply volunteers to demonstrate factory operations. Dumont Plaza This nicely landscaped space across the street from the MSU Riley Center hosts concerts and other outdoor events. It includes a lush lawn, raised stage, and gazebo. The surrounding downtown buildings amount to a mini-exhibit of 19th- and 20th-century architectural styles – including the Romanesque Revival design of the Riley Center itself. Meridian Museum of Art Artworks by Mississippi and Alabama artists provide the kind of ambience that makes any event special. The elegant museum building was a Carnegie Library from 1913 until 1967.
12 13 MEETINMERIDIAN.COM Catering? It’s Your Choice What’s on the menu? That’s up to you. So is the location. Whatever your catering needs – from a box lunch to gourmet fare in elegant surroundings – the MSU Riley Center makes it easy for you by obtaining catering bids and providing menu options based on your preferences and desired price point. Several stylish spaces at the center work beautifully for events from cocktail parties to elaborate sit-down dinners. The Exhibit Hall is most popular, along with the adjoining Studio Theater. But you’re the boss: The Riley Center will work with you to carry out your vision. You can even dine on the stage of the restored Victorian theater. DIVINE CATERING & DINE-AROUND OPTIONS Dining on Your Own Is a Delight Meeting attendees love Meridian’s “dine on your own” options downtown. They get to choose from a diverse and delicious array of locally owned favorites where they’ll feel right at home among businesspeople during the day and night-on-the-town diners in the evening. There are lots of options within a five-minute walk of the Riley Center. Plus, Meridian offers all your favorite national chains and delivery services. For a complete list of all restaurants, go to visitmeridian.com/eat. For added convenience, off-site meal functions can be invoiced through the Riley Center if you prefer.
14 15 MEETINMERIDIAN.COM Step Out for Fun The Riley Center’s central location offers meeting attendees a lot of fun within a five-minute walk: • Experience The MAX, a cutting-edge interactive tribute to Mississippi’s creative geniuses. • Explore a preserved 20th-century steam factory at the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum. • Check out Mississippi’s oldest live music scene (really) and enjoy a beverage at a craft beer taproom, a balcony bar or rooftop bar. • Learn about the Father of Country Music at the Jimmie Rodgers Museum. • Seek out heritage trails with markers downtown for Civil Rights, Civil War, blues and country music. • Take in a 1920s movie palace at Temple Theatre for the Performing Arts. • Admire the Meridian Museum of Art’s region-focused collection. • Browse a dozen or so specialty shops featuring fine men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, antiques, outdoor gear, vintage jewelry, and gifts made in Mississippi. IDEAL LOCATION & EXPERTLY HANDLED LOGISTICS Conveniently Convene Visit Meridian provides the following to make things as easy as possible: • Assistance with site inspection or preplanning visits • Negotiation and securing of hotel room proposals and contracts • Coordination of transportation, which often can be included in hotel rates • Registration assistance, welcome-to-town bags, free name badge holders, and lanyards Farther Afield but Still Just Minutes Away • Ride the Dentzel Carousel, which debuted at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. • Bounce on a trampoline, throw an ax, climb a wall, play laser tag, or race a go-kart at HYPE! Adventures. • Get a feel for 19th-century life at side-by-side historic houses Merrehope and the F.W. Williams Home. • Add to the trinkets bedecking the grave of former Gypsy Queen Kelly Mitchell at Rose Hill Cemetery. • Try sporting clays, skeet, or archery at Binachi Shooting Sports. • Work out on the trails or just relax at Bonita Lakes Park. 290 Atlanta miles 335 Nashville miles 493 Dallas miles 198 New Orleans miles NEARBY CITIES Centrally located, we’re easy and quick to reach from anywhere in Mississippi – and beyond. • Jackson: 1.5 hours • Hattiesburg: 1.5 hours • Columbus: 1.5 hours • Tupelo: 2.5 hours • Vicksburg: 2 hours • Gulf Coast: 2.5-3 hours MeetInMeridian.com • 888.868.7720 2000 Front Street, Suite A • Meridian, MS 39301
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