By Olivia Orman
When thinking about your favorite states, what comes to mind? I have often heard friends and family talk about how “flat and boring” Kansas is, and it is a shame because of the state offers cool activities and interesting places to visit! Every place has its hidden gems if a person is willing to seek them out.
One key element that may bring you and your company to Kansas is their spectacular meeting and event facilities! Three cities that are home to some neat meeting and event spaces are Lawrence, Manhattan and Wichita. That being said, accomplish some meaningful business out of the office, and check out these lovely establishments in Kansas!
Lawrence, Kansas
Arterra Event Gallery
If your company is looking for a refined, contemporary space to hold a business outing, Arterra Event Gallery is worth checking out for your next meeting or event. Their website describes their venue style as “rustic modernism”, setting this space apart from several indoor event sites. Arterra supplies four monitors, a 110-inch screen and digital projector, and custom slideshows on request. Along with these amenities come a quality sound system, wireless mics, specialty lighting, and onsite audio-visual assistance. This venue also has in-house catering, with a menu that has many options for several dietary needs.
2161 Quail Creek Dr | Lawrence, KS 66047 | 785-371-0990
Cider Gallery
Once a cider distillery, Cider Galley is a multi-purpose event space and fine art gallery with 5,000+ square feet of event space. This space is characterized by its brick walls, strings of lights, ceiling-hanging plants, and diverse styles of displayed art, of course. This venue is set up with a state-of-the-art sound system, and numerous wall-mounted monitors and a projector. Though there is a large kitchen to keep the food warm, all corporate and social outings must hire outside caterers for their meeting or event at Cider Gallery.
810 Pennsylvania St | Lawrence, KS 66044 | 785-304-4005
The White Schoolhouse
Want to experience your next meeting or event in a small country schoolhouse? If so, the The White Schoolhouse is the picture-perfect venue that will take you and your group back to childhood. This space accommodates 25-100 people, depending upon the table arrangements, and the reservation comes with 8-6’ round tables and 2-8’ rectangle tables, and up to 64 chairs. The White Schoolhouse is equipped with a sound system that connects to a personal, audio-storing device and a projector to use in conjunction with a personal computer.
1510 N 3rd St | Lawrence, KS 66044 | 785-550-5365
Abe and Jake’s Landing
Abe & Jake’s Landing provides an “industrial charm” to downtown Lawrence. Overlooking the Kansas River, this venue has several smaller event spaces that can be used for a meeting and small corporate functions, in addition to the spacious main event space that is used for larger conventions and events. The conference room seats 10-20 people ‒ an ideal space to exchange business ideas. The spacious main event space can accommodate up to 600+ people standing or 450 people seated, making it a suitable place for large conferences. For a small corporate party, Abe & Jake’s Pub has a private bar available to attendees only.
8 E 6th St | Lawrence, KS 66044 | 785-841-5855
The Oread
The Oread is located on the north end of the University of Kansas campus. The signature stone interior and unique rooftop terraces set this venue apart from other hotels in the meeting and event planning industry. The meeting spaces at The Oread include intricate ballrooms for meetings and conferences, a beautiful patio on the top level of the hotel, and several breakout education rooms. If you are looking for assistance to put together an unforgettable meeting, this venue will help you accomplish just that.
1200 Oread Ave | Lawrence, KS 66044 | 785-843-1200
Manhattan, Kansas
The Prairiewood Retreathouse
This quaint RetreatHouse is the perfect getaway to host your next meeting or event! This Prairiewood estate is located between two wooded ravines two miles west of Manhattan, providing just enough seclusion for a corporate group to experience silence and tranquility.
In addition to the four bedroom and bathroom suites and large living room within the interior of the property, the RetreatHouse has a large meeting room that can accommodate several different event configurations. A conference in the meeting/dining room, set up with all necessary audio visual equipment, can comfortably host 28 people, but a larger gathering dispersed throughout the RetreatHouse property can seat up to 45 guests.
1484 Wildcat Creek Rd | Manhattan, KS 66503 | 785-537-9999
Scenic Valley Inn
Defined as “rustic simplicity with modern comforts and conveniences”, the Scenic Valley Inn is a bed and breakfast with a log barn for hosting meetings and events. The log barn, named The Wooden Nickel, has the capacity to seat 175 people for a sit-down meal organized with outside catering.
Along with this reservation come two floors of event space; the main level is traditionally utilized for PowerPoint or video presentations and both the upstairs loft and the ground level can dine all of your attendees. Tables and chairs are included with the event space rental; linens and tableware are add-on additions.
610 South Scenic Drive | Manhattan, KS 66503 | 785-776-6831
Liquid Art Winery and Estate
Want to hold your next meeting or event over a refreshing glass of wine? This 20-acre estate vineyard, tasting room, full-production winery,and event center is located within the Flint Hills of Manhattan, providing attendees a taste of local wine and cider along the vineyards from which they originate.
For smaller corporate parties and gatherings with less than 50 guests, the Tasting Room is a personal setting which includes couches, an indoor and outdoor fireplace, cocktail seating, and a bar area. For a larger business event with 50-375 people, the Event Center includes an indoor bar, catering kitchen, an indoor balcony, a customizable floor plane, and an outdoor patio.
1745 Wildcat Creek Rd | Manhattan, KS 66503 | 785-370-8025
Flint Hills Discovery Center
The Flint Hills Discovery Center is a unique, interactive venue to host meeting and events. From spectacular views from the rooftop terrace,intrigue from ever-changing exhibits, and several stories covered in glass windows, this venue is guaranteed to wow your employees or guests.
Their private meeting space includes audio-visual, a large, three-sided meeting table with comfortable seating, a close walk to the rooftop terrace, and several windows. For a larger corporate party, the full exhibit can accommodate 200 people seated and 500 people standing. Learn, grow, and bond with your employees in this educational
meeting and event center.
315 S 3rd St | Manhattan, KS 66502 | 785-587-2726
Bluemont Hotel
Classifying themselves as a “hand-crafted boutique hotel, located in the heart of Manhattan”, the Bluemont Hotel is cool-toned, luxurious, and modern venue, creating a soft and delicate appearance that will leave a lasting impression on your meeting or event.
This hotel has several convention and conference rooms that can fit anywhere from 10 to 250 people. The Boardroom can seat a small business meeting of 10, or, if you are looking for a larger space to hold a larger meeting or event at within this hotel, The Excel Ballroom can hold 120 people maximum and The Hartfort can hold up to 250 people.
1212 Bluemont Ave | Manhattan, KS 66502 | 785-473-7091
Wichita, Kansas
Brick + Mortar
Brick + Mortar exhibits a unique aesthetic that can be used for corporate meetings and events. A century-old building characterized by glass chandeliers and brick walls, this venue offers many customizable details to personalize a gathering to the fullest potential.
Their website states these wide array of options, ranging from 25 styles and colors of chairs, any size and shape of tables, thousands of linens, over 40 different styles of chandeliers, and even more selections to choose from. Make your next event memorable in an elegant and eclectic style.
229 S Emporia St | Wichita, KS 67202 | 316-260-8222
Noah’s Event Venue
Dreaming of hosting your next meeting or event along the water? NOAH’S Event Venue is located within a serene waterfront neighborhood, surrounded by several lakes. Furnished with an outdoor patio, wooden floors, and elegant furniture, this event space is a lovely lakeside property that could host your next corporate outing.
The reservation includes a variety of table layouts, a selection of more than 50 different fabrics and colors of linens, the room equipped with all audio-visual equipment, setup and takedown by NOAH’s, a small prep kitchen, and even more.
1550 N Lindberg Cir | Wichita, KS 67206 | 316-708-7688
Petroleum Club
“If you’re doing business in Wichita, there’s no better place for an over-lunch, after-hours or anytime meeting than the Petroleum Club. The ambience, quality of service and privacy set it apart.” – Michael Monteferrante, President and CEO, Envision Inc. The incredible skyline views and iconic glass interior are sure to wow your attendees while hosting an event at the Petroleum Club.
This venue can seat up to 285 people, and the facility rental includes an assisting event planner, professionally designed decorations, specialty linens, high quality sound and lighting systems, and customizable food and beverage menus.
100 N Broadway St #900 | Wichita, KS 67202 | 316-262-6471
The Hudson
Combining brick walls and stringed lights to create a pristine aesthetic, The Hudson is a premiere event venue that enables companies to host small and large meetings and events. This event space can seat up to 350 people, and it is equipped with audio-visual equipment and an elevated stage to share meaningful business presentations.
The versatility of this venue allows it to stand out and attract a wide variety of audiences. Whether it is a small conference, a corporate party to treat your employees for the holidays, or a networking convention, The Hudson can cater to a wide variety of business outings.
508 S Commerce | Wichita, KS 67202 | 316-512-5822
Eberly Farm
Experience your next corporate celebration or event in a country atmosphere such as Eberly Farm! During your company’s stay, spend the afternoon networking over a meal catered by Eberly Farm, and spend the rest of your stay participating in outdoor team building activities!
From playing pitch n’ put golf, basketball, soccer, and tetherball, to chilling at the fish feeding deck, singing karaoke, or taking a tractor ride around the property, Eberly Farm is a secluded and outdoor hobby-based venue where your company can experience worthwhile memories! Step out of the hobby, and breathe in some fresh air at your next business event.
13111 W 21st St | Wichita, KS 67235 | 316-722-3580
It’s Quite Eventful in the Hills
Though many people consider Kansas a “flat” state, there are many interesting venues worth checking out in Lawrence, Wichita, and Manhattan when considering a space for your next meeting and events.
In fact, according to several sources, the top five most flat states in the United States are Florida, Illinois, North Dakota, Louisiana, and Minnesota. It is critical that we keep an open mind and research several venues before ruling out potential options. The hills of Kansas are rich with meeting and event experiences, and they await you to explore.
Olivia Orman is a contributing writer from St. Louis.
