Few things inspire focus and creativity like a room with a view — that’s why beautiful scenery and college campuses so often go hand in hand.
Campuses with mountain vistas, serene lakes and lush landscaping are especially inspiring settings for meetings and events. They combine the benefits typical of meeting at a college, such as access to advanced technology and educational speakers, with elegant backdrops that complement upscale events like banquets and receptions.
For their next meeting or event, planners should look to these scenic college campuses across the country.
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama
With its mix of historic and modern buildings jutting up against the city’s lovely and walkable downtown, Auburn University is a gem for meeting planners and attendees alike. That’s thanks to its beautifully landscaped grounds, burgeoning culinary scene and lively college-town culture, alongside its long list of events services and amenities.
“Auburn University’s campus offers a special blend of history and modern amenities that makes it the perfect backdrop for any meeting,” said Cat Bobo, communications and marketing director of Auburn-Opelika Tourism. “From iconic landmarks to the beautiful green spaces and the cutting-edge facilities, the campus creates an inspiring atmosphere.”
One of the campus’s most popular venues is The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center, colloquially known as the “Front Door of Auburn.” It has 22,000 square feet of event space, 236 guest rooms and 10 suites, all across the street from campus. Another frequently used venue, the Student Activities Center, has four event spaces, including a 1,099-seat auditorium.
In addition to its more traditional venues, there are plenty of spaces that are perfect for off-sites. One of the newer and trendier venues on campus is the Rane Culinary Science Center, the center of the university’s hospitality program. It features The Laurel Hotel and Spa (a boutique, five-diamond hotel), a wine appreciation laboratory, a teaching restaurant, a rooftop garden, a food hall and plenty of event spaces. Planners can also arrange events at Neville Arena, the school’s picturesque Samford Lawn and the Auburn Alumni Center.
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon
In the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Oregon State University is known for its engineering, forestry, environmental science and marine science programs. Its campus features lush landscapes, mountain views, and easy access to miles of hiking and biking trails, and a river for kayaking. For meetings and events in the Pacific Northwest, the university makes an ideal venue in an affordable destination.
The university’s CH2M Hill Alumni Center is a 40,000-square-foot conference facility located just across the street from the Hilton Garden Inn. It’s home to the 7,000-square-foot Cascade Ballroom and can accommodate meetings of over 350 attendees. Smaller breakout rooms, such as the Willamette Room, are perfect for moderately sized meetings. Another popular option for events is the LaSells Stewart Center, the campus performing arts venue. Its Austin Auditorium can seat 1,200 guests, while a separate lecture hall can seat up to 200. In addition to other meeting rooms and a board room, it’s also home to Giustina Gallery, which is the center’s largest venue and can be used for receptions or ceremonies. Additional classrooms and lecture halls on campus can be reserved when not in use.
The university’s catering department can organize everything from plated dinners to small plates, and the conference services department can assist planners with site selection, hotel negotiation and even event marketing.
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York
Surrounded by the waterfalls and wineries of New York’s Finger Lakes region, Cornell University is as prestigious as it is scenic. This Ivy League university was founded in 1865, and its campus is adorned with historic architecture and natural scenery, including the Cornell Botanic Gardens.
“It’s a beautiful campus overlooking Cayuga Lake, next to gorges and waterfalls that add to the natural beauty of the area,” said Max Mandeville, senior conference and event planner for Cornell’s conference and event services department. “It also has beautiful fall foliage and picturesque views and panoramas of the landscape.”
This serene New York campus makes a stunning backdrop for meetings and events, with a wide selection of venues that meet the needs for every event, from elegant banquets and weddings to tech-focused trainings and lectures. The campus’s classrooms, museums and outdoor spaces double as venues, meaning there are hundreds of eligible spaces for planners to book. Some of the most commonly used venues include the Robert Purcell Community Center, with an auditorium for up to 127 and several breakout rooms; the A.D. White House, a Victorian villa with a total capacity of 150; and the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, with panoramic views of Cayuga Lake.
The on-campus, 153-room Statler Hotel features 11,000 square feet of additional meeting space, including a 4,140-square-foot ballroom, an auditorium, a terrace restaurant and lounge, and breakout rooms.
conferenceservices.cornell.edu
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
The University of Arizona was founded in Tucson in 1885 — 27 years before Arizona became a state. With its palm tree-lined streets and views of the mountains on all sides, the University of Arizona enjoys desert scenery and legendary sunsets common to the area.
“I’ve seen us do the most beautiful events here on campus, with views of the city of Tucson and what we call Tucson’s painted skies,” said Johnique Woods, associate director of event planning at the Arizona Student Unions. “We can compete with any venues around town or in other cities thanks to our Southwest flair and executive chefs.”
With its strong focus on science and technology, it should come as no surprise that the university’s meeting and event venues are also innovative. The Environment and Natural Resources 2 Building features a distinct and modern design centered around an outdoor courtyard, as well as a rooftop venue, café and several smaller lecture halls and meeting rooms. Bear Down Gym, named for the university’s rallying cry and motto, is another popular venue thanks to its recent renovation. The Health Sciences Innovation Building offers a modern, industrial-chic setting for everything from small meetings to large receptions, while the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium is the perfect place for private planetarium shows, business presentations or educational meetings.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Located between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a research university known for its advances in medical and natural sciences, as well as its vibrant campus life. But its shoreline, historic architecture and gorgeous fall foliage make it one of the most scenic universities in the Midwest. It’s also an attractive market for meetings in the region, from overnight conferences and camps in the summer to single-day meetings and events year-round.
Some of the university’s largest event spaces can be found in the Gordon Dining and Event Center. These include the Symphony Room, with a capacity of 300, and the Overture, Concerto and Sonata rooms, which can be combined for a total capacity of 900. There’s also the Upper Gulley Program Room in the Carson Gulley Center, with space for 216, and the Lake Mendota Room in the Dejope Residence Hall, which can seat 300. Additional conference rooms, classrooms and lounges can be used as breakout spaces for smaller meetings.
The university’s catering company can provide everything from buffets and breakfasts to boxed lunches and plated dinners for campus events. Most of the event spaces feature basic A/V, such as projectors and microphones, but additional tech and tech support can be provided upon request to accommodate virtual or hybrid meetings.
