Higher education campuses aren’t always the first places planners consider when putting together an event, but those exploring college and university spaces as an option will discover unique settings, an energetic vibe, and often flexibility and affordability as well.
Here’s a look at five compelling campuses around the U.S. with plentiful event space — and even some promising experiences and tours — for meeting groups and planners to put on their radars.
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
The University of Arizona in Tucson offers a wealth of event space options, from the Student Unions facility to the impressive Arizona Sands Club within the school’s football stadium.
But the most compelling current option may be the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine and its main hub, the Iris Cantor Building, which was designed in part as a “living lab” to study how built environments impact health and can improve wellness.
“We’re really proud of the center,” building curator Eddie Latham-Jones said about the dynamic structure that celebrated its second anniversary in April 2026. “It’s a beautifully designed environment and an amazing place that has a strong connection to nature for a city this size.”
That synergy with the outdoors is enhanced by the 2,000-square-foot meeting space’s floor-to-ceiling windows and 1,800-square-foot adjoining patio. Latham-Jones added that the venue’s state-of-the-art HVAC system is another big plus, as is the building’s integrated AV capabilities and tech tools that make hybrid meetings a breeze. Resources include four large-screen TV monitors, 42 microphones and high-definition cameras.
This high-tech flexibility was invaluable during a recent hybrid event partnership with the French Embassy on climate change. The venue has also hosted retreats, receptions, dinners, board meetings and other events.
“You can really customize your event here,” Latham-Jones said, adding that the venue and UA campus offer “a different model of doing something” that includes greater flexibility with pricing and sudden attendance changes.
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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus offers an appealing blend of traditional and state-of the-art buildings and is quite walkable despite being a large campus, according to Krystal Grace, director of conference and event services for the university, located in Champaign-Urbana.
The university also has countless gathering spaces groups can take advantage for meetings of all sizes and types.
“My favorite space on campus for events is the Illini Union Ballroom,” Grace said. “Maybe it’s the reader in me that loves that space, but when I walk in, I can picture people dressed up for a ball with lots of dancing, laughing and general merriment. It is part of the original 1941 building, so it has a lot of historical features. Today, the space is used for everything from speaker panels to award ceremonies, receptions and every other type of event.”
Illini Union has a dividable space called the Illini Rooms that can hold up to 900 guests, along with multiple smaller meeting spaces for eight to 100 people. In addition, it has a rec room with bowling lanes, an arcade and a billiards area for a unique rental experience. Illini Union also boasts an on-site 72-room boutique hotel, where half the guest rooms overlook the quad for a breathtaking view in the heart of campus.
For groups exploring the campus and seeking a fun photo op, Grace said both Illini Union and Foellinger Auditorium forecourt are popular for pics on the quad, a vibrant open space where students can be seen strolling about or throwing a frisbee on a sunny day.
In addition to the spaces for rent, Grace highlighted some interesting tours and programs that visiting groups can schedule.
“You can do a behind-the-scenes tour of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts,” she said. “You see behind the scenes of this two-city block performing arts center that has five indoor stages and is integrated with the College of Fine and Applied Arts, including Illinois Theater, School of Music and Dance Illinois.”
The Spurlock Museum is another good group outing, she said. The museum’s nine permanent exhibits showcase cultural and archaeological collections from throughout history and from around the globe.
“We are also a Big Ten athletic institution with the 60,000-seat Memorial Stadium for football and the architectural, eye-catching State Farm Center for basketball and concerts,” she added.
The University of the South
Sewanee, Tennessee
The University of the South, often simply known as Sewanee, sits on a sprawling rural campus in Sewanee, Tennessee. The campus covers about 13,000 acres of wooded wonderland, dotted with time-honored, stone-based structures, making the setting an attraction in itself. Within this oasis, groups will find enchanting spaces and venues with Old World charm and architecture to match.
“Usually if people come for a meeting, they want to come back,” said Christin Carlson, conference services manager. “The campus here is all natural and just beautiful.”
Chief among campus venues is the Sewanee Inn, which “is made for meetings and events,” she said. Nestled right on campus, with about 8,000 square feet of event space and a nine-hole golf course, the lodge is optimal for retreats and other intimate events with its 43 guest rooms and suites.
Carlson suggested two other spaces on Sewanee: Centennial House, which she said “was about 100 years old with stunning grounds,” and McGriff Alumni House, an equally enchanting but more intimate possibility. Centennial House can host up to about 250 attendees, while the McGriff Alumni House, with its iconic turret, has a capacity of about 75.
Groups wandering the large and lovely campus will encounter historic stone buildings, many constructed with sandstone from the region, including a soaring stone cathedral that’s “similar to the ones in Europe,” Carlson said. “It’s really the living room of The University of the South.”
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, Rhode Island
What makes Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence such an engaging choice for planners to host a meeting or event? A number of factors, but perhaps two special venues in particular, said Jody Soares, associate director, external campus conference and event services.
“I think what makes us appealing is how interesting and varied our spaces are,” Soares said. “We also have two really special event spaces, one being the RISD Museum on campus in Providence, and the other is Tillinghast Place, which is a 35-acre private property on the Narragansett Bay in Barrington.”
Along with the RISD Museum and Tillinghast Place, there are many other popular spaces on campus.
“Our top rental space is located at 20 Washington Place,” she said. “In that space we can easily fit 150 people for a lecture, meals and breakouts, all within the same building. We also have a large auditorium that seats up to 550 people. We frequently use that auditorium and tent the outdoor space right next door for special receptions, dinners or event dance parties.”
The specific space Soares touted is known as the 20WP Auditorium at 20 Washington Place, a versatile, design forward event venue that accommodates lectures, receptions and creative gatherings with flexible seating, hybrid meeting technology and professional audiovisual support. Fully accessible and centrally located in Providence’s arts district, it’s a popular option for organizations seeking an inspiring, well equipped space for programs and celebrations.
University of California, Davis
Davis, California
The University of California, Davis campus spans some 5,300 acres just west of Sacramento and a little over an hour’s drive to San Francisco. In addition to the university’s ideal location, the agriculturally focused school offers several superb spaces for meetings, said Lina Layiktez, director, conference and event services.
One prominent event hub is the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, a premier venue offering striking architecture and a range of flexible spaces, from large theaters to intimate meeting rooms. Layiktez said it is ideal for conferences, keynote sessions and elevated receptions, with the potential to smoothly deliver a polished, high-impact experience in the heart of campus.
Another can’t-miss event space is the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, which is “a visually stunning, modern space that inspires creativity and conversation,” Layiktez said.
With indoor galleries and an iconic outdoor canopy, the museum furnishes a memorable backdrop for receptions, talks and gatherings, boosted by the artistic, contemporary setting.
Other options include the UC Davis Coffee Center, reportedly home to the first academic center in the U.S. dedicated completely to coffee. The space offers a singular and interactive environment that — in addition to meeting and event space — allows groups to incorporate guided coffee experiences that range from tastings to behind-the-scenes tours; this makes it a memorable addition to any agenda or just a fun standalone experience for visiting groups or attendees.
At the nearby Sacramento campus, Aggie Square is a newly launched, innovation-driven district that showcases modern, flexible event spaces designed for collaboration and forward-thinking programming. Perfect for meetings, workshops and networking events, the space illustrates UC Davis’ leadership in research, health and community impact in an urban setting.
