10 Reasons to Meet in Boise—Now

Boise, Idaho has always attracted groups with its outdoor-adventure spirit, offering everything from biking to skiing to climbing within 30 minutes of the downtown core. Lately, however, the city has seen major developments, upping its room count with new hotels, expanding meeting venues and even growing its craft beer scene (with 16 craft breweries and counting). Here are 10 reasons to consider planning an event in Boise—now. 

1. Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (JUMP): Just opened on Dec. 5, the 65,000-sf Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (JUMP) is a nonprofit, creative center that features five interactive learning studios that can help enhance group interaction. Each studio caters to a different activity or theme—Kitchen, Movement, Makers, Multi-Media and Inspiration. The site also includes event and meeting spaces, a public park, outdoor amphitheater and multistory displays.
2. Boise Centre: Opened in 1990, the 50,000-sf Boise Centre is currently undergoing Phase 1 of an expansion project that will almost double the space available. When Phase 1 is completed later this year, groups and conventions will be able to enjoy a new 15,000-sf ballroom, serviced by a 7,000-sf, state-of-the-art kitchen. The expansion also calls for an additional 14,000 sf of meeting room space and 7,000 sf of pre-function space to be added in the future.
3. Capital City Event Center: Located in the heart of downtown Boise, the historic Adelmann building attracts visitors with Guru Donuts, Boise Fry Company and the Press & Pony speakeasy, but it also features a second-story event space. Capital City Event Center management works with local caterers, restaurants, music and lighting companies, and photographers to help meeting planners create full-scale events overlooking Boise’s statehouse.
4. The Olympic Venue: After being neglected and closed for years, the once 100-year-old hotel in downtown Boise was recently transformed into a music and event venue. Officially opened last summer, the venue can host private events, or attendees can visit to simply check out a local band.
5. Marriott Residence Inn: A 186-room Marriott Residence Inn is currently under development in downtown Boise, according to Idaho Business Review. Jared S. Smith, the hotel’s developer, intends for the 10-story hotel to include studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom extended-stay rooms with kitchenettes in each room. The projected cost exceeds $20 million, according to Smith, and will be ideal for groups staying in the area longer than a couple nights.
6. Inn at 500 Capitol: Obie Development Partners of Eugene, Ore., announced the six-story, 112-room hotel last March and broke ground in October. The $25 million project will bring a boutique hotel option into the meetings mix for smaller groups.
7. Telaya Winery: Telaya Winery and its tenant, Coiled, recently moved from their original location in Garden City to a larger facility on the Boise River, and celebrated with a grand opening on Feb. 5. The two wineries will produce 7,000 cases of wine each year on site, where groups can also visit the tasting room and event space.
8. Payette Brewing: Idaho’s largest brewery is currently constructing a second location in downtown Boise. The new 60-barrel, four-vessel brewhouse will allow the brewery to potentially produce more than 100,000 barrels of beer annually—much more than the 10,046 produced last year. Not only will the new location be four times the size of the original location, it will also include a tasting room and beer garden for groups to enjoy the outdoors.
9. Meriwether Cider Taprom: Meriwether Cider Company opened its taproom on Feb. 20, offering cider beer brewed from Northwest apples. Its menu features a variety of ciders, including semi-sweet, dry, hopped, gin botanical and a selection of fruit blends, as well as occasional live music.
10. Powderhaus Brewing Company: Last fall, Powderhaus Brewing launched as Boise’s 16^th local craft beer house. Its location features a large tasting facility, outdoor seating and a wide variety of craft beers. Groups can experience live music and local food trucks several nights a week.