New Jersey offers an eclectic array of intimate venues ideal for small meetings, from museums and historic landmarks, to wineries and inns. Meeting planners can find value for the money as well as easy access to these sites, owing to the Garden State's close proximity to nearly 50 million drive-market consumers, as well as being served by five international airports and Amtrak. Highlighting the destination's unique appeal, it's for these reasons they'll be saying "now THAT'S New Jersey!"
Historic Venues:
Set amidst the Victorian charm of Cape May, the 108-room Congress Hall landmark hotel offers nearly 4,000 sq. ft. of event space with many original touches from the late 19th century. (www.congresshall.com) Less than a mile down the beach, the Grand Hotel of Cape May also accommodates meetings, with numerous rooms that boast Atlantic Ocean views. Its 9,000 + q. ft. of space can accommodate up to 800 participants. (www.grandhotelcapemay.com)
Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University in Union, was home to New Jersey's first elected governor and signer of the Constitution, William Livingston. On 23 acres, the estate offers meeting planners a picturesque, peaceful oasis with an array of facilities. The Wagon Shed, overlooking the garden, provides seating for up to 60 guests. (www.kean.edu/libertyhall/home.asp)
Tucked away in the hills of Somerset County, Natirar historic estate is conveniently located within an hour's drive from Manhattan. There are several unique indoor and outdoor spaces, from picturesque, private courtyards to the elegant ballroom in the Tented Pavilion with seating up to 225 guests. (www.natirar.com)
Charming Inns:
On the Jersey Shore, the luxurious boutique Blue Bay Inn is 40 minutes away from Manhattan by ferry in Atlantic Highlands. It can host meetings as small as 10 guests or larger events in its intimate meeting rooms and lounge. (www.bluebayinn.com)
The Chimney Hill Estate in Lambertville, NJ is bed and breakfast as well as meeting facility ideal for retreats of groups with 10-50 persons. The Carriage House can hold up to 50 people for a meeting and the Executive Boardroom can host 15 guests. (www.chimneyhillinn.com)
Princeton's Nassau Inn exudes a bed and breakfast feel but will boast state-of-the-art meeting facilities with a major renovation in 2012. Guest rooms of the Colonial Wing will be complete and the Ballroom, Senior Room, and Assembly room will be upgraded as well. (www.nassauinn.com)
Wine Country Retreats:
Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City can accommodate small to mid-size meetings. In addition to the property's award-winning restaurants, participants enjoy views over the resort's championship 18-hole golf course and vineyards. (www.renaultwinery.com)
The Vintner's Room at the Tomasello Winery provides an elegant French country feel for meetings of 50 - 180 people. It is often used to host seasonal Opera Galas, wine education seminars, and tastings. (www.tomasellowinery.com)
The Valenzano Winery can accommodate 25 to 250 guests in its Vitner's Pavilion, Wine House, and Winemaker's Ballroom. All three offer views of the gardens and vineyards. (www.valenzanowine.com)
Winter Meetings:
Mountain Creek, a ski resort just 47 miles from New York City, has invested $20 million in enhancements, and its slopeside accommodations, The Appalachian, has two meeting rooms, each with more than 1,200 sq. ft. of space that can accommodate up to 60 people. (www.mountaincreek.com/groups/corporate-meetings)
Experience the Grand Cascades Lodge, a lavish revival of classic Adirondack-style lodges. This venue at the Crystal Springs resort features deluxe accommodations along with 31,000 sq. ft. of event space and six indoor and outdoor catering venues. (http://www.crystalgolfresort.com/Hotels/GrandCascadesLodge.aspx)
For more information on New Jersey, log onto: http://www.visitnj.org/new-jersey-meetings-and- conventions. Additional information is also available at: http://www.njmeetings.com.
