There’s much ado for New York meetings this year.
Here, we offer some of the most hyperlocal experiences for NY meetings throughout Long Island, Saratoga Springs and Buffalo.
Historic Venues & Vines
Long Island’s Gold Coast Mansions will transport groups back to a time of elegance, lavishness and distinct architecture, definitive of the Gilded Age through the Roaring Twenties. They can begin their journey with the four mansions of the Guggenheim Estate at Sands Point, the famed “East Egg” of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.” Each mansion embodies Irish culture of the ‘20s, Medieval and Renaissance eras, as well as the essence of the Guggenheim families who lived there, and can be rented for corporate events. On the highest point of Long Island is Oheka Castle, a member of Historic Hotels of America, exuding the refinement of a French chateau and 32 luxe rooms and suites. Here, groups can also experience historic tours of the estate and garden and a unique on-site culinary experience. Old Westbury Gardens is another historic spot for soirees, featuring on-site catering, the English-style Orchard Hill house for up to 70 attendees, and the Barn for up to 80 indoors.
Once you have your venue nailed down, book a day trip along the Long Island Craft Beverage Trail or into wine country, with more than 65 wineries and a variety of breweries to choose from. Groups can try a frosty Vidal ice wine made with grapes frozen on the vine at Duck Walk Vineyards in Watermill, or stop by Martha Clara Vineyards for a taste of the award-winning 2013 Northville Red or the 2016 Solstice Rose. Sparkling Pointe Vineyard’s bubbly, made in the traditional French methode champenoise that allows the last stage of fermentation to occur directly in the bottle, is all the rave here.
Some major hobnobbing has happened at The Adelphi Hotel, whose guest rooms have seen the likes of Mark Twain, Teddy Roosevelt, Sinatra and the Rockefellers.
A Sense of Occasion
Meetings in Saratoga Springs come with a built-in sense of occasion. Just minutes from Albany, the city’s storied history creates a strong sense of place, whether a tour of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, an event and “Ghost Tour” of the historic Canfield Casino or an authentic Saratoga Springs meal at the Olde Bryan Inn, surrounded in legend and lore.
The city’s hotels also reflect this character. The Union Gables Mansion Inn is a historic yet green Queen Anne Victorian in Saratoga’s historic district, offering old-world hospitality and charm mixed with modern amenities. Here, small retreats take place within meeting space and luxe suites and attendees can explore the area via bike tours, hiking, canoeing or windsurfing, or bask in a Romanesque-style pool once the meeting ends.
Some major hobnobbing has happened at century-old The Adelphi Hotel, whose guest rooms have seen the likes of Mark Twain, Teddy Roosevelt, Sinatra and the Rockefellers, among others. Groups can participate in cooking demonstrations and mix and mingle in a wine and beer garden that is adjacent to the ballroom, but one of the more invigorating experiences here is a paranormal tour complete with hors d’oeuvres, live food stations and a complimentary glass of prosecco.
The New Frontier
In the heart of Buffalo’s business, dining and entertainment districts and connected to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center is the Hyatt Regency Buffalo Hotel; the hotel’s 23,000 sf of meeting space was recently renovated. For a late night pow wow, groups can stop by the Atrium Bar and Bistro for craft cocktails and beers, or the atrium-style rooftop area, featuring stunning panoramic views of the city. Beyond the hotel, attendees may enjoy a day trip to Niagara Falls, exploring Niagara’s 1800s frontier life at the Amherst Museum, or a walk through the Buffalo and Eerie County Botanical Gardens or butterfly conservatory.
The foodies in your group have much to look forward to. You’ll definitely want to make time in between meetings for a jaunt along the Buffalo Wing Trail, given that Buffalo is home to the Buffalo-style chicken wing. And attendees would be remiss to leave the city without a sponge candy keepsake. Groups can also explore the city by Segway, pedal tours, kayak or boat.
