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Convene Unconventionally: The Top 15 Conference Venues in the USA and Canada

Conference & Business Centers

Conferences and corporate events are in a league of their own. These events can run the gamut from networking and business-oriented gatherings to state-of-the-art functions that push the boundaries of what’s possible for an event. Either way, finding the right corporate conference venue is crucial.

Sometimes, you need a space for seminars and discussion forums. In other cases, you need smaller rooms for board meetings and round tables. In many instances, you need both. Here are the top 15 conference venues in the US and Canada to help your next corporate event run as smoothly as possible.

1. AMA’s Executive Conference Center

  • Location: Arlington, Virginia
  • Guest Count: 90

While large venues are ideal for significant conferences, the AMA Executive Conference Center specializes in accommodating smaller business meetings and forums. With its central location near the Reagan National Airport, this conference center offers various configurations to facilitate engaging and productive meetings. Additionally, AMA provides on-site catering and beverage service, allowing your meetings to continue seamlessly throughout the day.

2. Beaver Hollow Conference Center

  • Location: Java Center, New York
  • Guest Count: 300

Although many business meeting venues are in the heart of the city, sometimes it’s better to get away from it all. Beaver Hollow is a unique conference center because it’s nestled within 300 acres of natural woodland. This venue is ideal for conferences and corporate events, but it can also work for retreats and multi-day gatherings. With catering and multiple room types available, Beaver Hollow is an excellent choice for all types of conferences.


3. Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography

  • Location: La Jolla, California
  • Guest Count: 1,500

If you want a big event venue that will stick out in the memories of all your conference attendees, it’s hard to do better than the Birch Aquarium. Situated on a cliffside overlooking the ocean, this is one of the most stunning conference venues on the West Coast. Because this aquarium is part of the Scripps Institute, it’s designed to help guests learn more about marine life and the ocean environment. But even if your conference isn’t marine-related, your guests will still marvel at the various exhibits and scenery on display.

4. BMO IFL

  • Location: Toronto, Ontario
  • Guest Count: 450

BMO IFL stands out among business meeting venues with its meticulous design tailored for business conferences and corporate events. It boasts remarkable features to elevate your event, including social lounges and green spaces for attendees to unwind and network. The venue also offers 150 on-site rooms, ideal for accommodating guests during multi-day conferences. Additionally, with in-house catering services, BMO IFL ensures a seamless and integrated event experience.

5. Boston University

  • Location: Boston, Massachusetts
  • Guest Count: 6150

Universities and colleges, like Boston University, are prime locations for conferences, particularly when situated in the same city as your business. Their facilities, already optimized for student learning, naturally lend themselves to crafting a fluid conference experience for attendees. Boston University adds a historical dimension to events, with many of its buildings dating back to 1869, enriching the atmosphere. Its significant guest capacity also makes it an ideal choice for accommodating large, enterprise-level conferences.

6. Chicago’s North Shore Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • Guest Count: 1,200

Just because a corporate conference is centered around business activities doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful. Chicago’s North Shore Convention and Visitor’s Bureau offers incredible views of Lake Michigan to accompany the impeccably-kept grounds. With open floor plans and exotic architecture, you can create a conference to remember. Best of all, this center is conveniently located with easy access to mass transit and O’Hare airport.

7. Edwards Ontario Palace Stadium 22

  • Location: Ontario, California
  • Guest Count: 500

If your conference involves speaking engagements, presentations, or seminars, it makes sense to host it at a movie theater. Edwards Cinemas is a chain of high-end theaters that add some pomp and circumstance to any event, whether it’s a conference or private screening. With elegant accommodations and comfortable seating, your guests will appreciate the convenience and casual atmosphere of this venue. Unique Venues features many different Edwards Cinema locations in California, including Irvine and Bakersfield.

8. Esquimalt Gorge Pavilion

  • Location: Victoria, British Columbia
  • Guest Count: 120

The Esquimalt Gorge Pavilion, nestled amidst a breathtaking Japanese garden, masterfully blends modern Western and traditional Japanese architectural styles. Its unrivaled natural beauty is enhanced by expansive windows that offer attendees a panoramic view of the garden and the surrounding Gorge Park, providing a serene backdrop for meetings and presentations. Additionally, the pavilion features a spacious banquet room on the second floor, ideal for hosting lunch or dinner, adding convenience and elegance to your event.

9. Glen Eyrie Castle

  • Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
  • Guest Count: 200

What’s better than hosting a conference in a castle? While Glen Eyrie didn’t house lords or ladies, it’s just as impressive as anything you could find in the English countryside. Plus, it has stunning views of mountains and forests surrounding Colorado Springs, so it feels like you’re hosting your event in an enchanted wood. There are multiple meeting spaces available, and the castle has 17 overnight rooms for VIP guests if necessary.

10. Greencourt Innovation Center

  • Location: North Bethesda, Maryland
  • Guest Count: 150

At the Greencourt Innovation Center, cutting-edge architecture converges with corporate ingenuity. This LEED-certified venue champions sustainability and eco-friendly practices, encapsulating a commitment to environmental stewardship. Its modernity is evident in the wealth of contemporary amenities and technological advancements. Equipped with state-of-the-art smart technology, the center ensures a seamless integration of audio/visual elements into your presentations or meetings. Greencourt is renowned for its comprehensive turnkey conference solutions, offering a streamlined, hassle-free approach to event planning.

11. Hollywood Bowl

  • Location: Los Angeles, California
  • Guest Count: 17,500

If you’re planning a product launch or a massive business announcement, there’s no better place to do it than the Hollywood Bowl. While this venue is mostly designed for outdoor concerts, it could work well for enterprise-level corporate conferences. In addition to the amphitheater, there are multiple meeting spaces, complete with onsite catering options. When your conference needs to be out-of-this-world, the Hollywood Bowl is the key to success.

12. Levi’s Stadium

  • Location: Santa Clara, California
  • Guest Count: 50,000

While stadiums may not seem like the first choice for corporate conference venues, they actually work well for massive events for thousands of employees and guests. However, you don’t even have to rent out the entire stadium for your conference. Because there are multiple meeting rooms and banquet halls, you can take advantage of the perks of being at a stadium (onsite catering, plenty of parking, ample room for large groups) while hosting a relatively small crowd. However, if you expect to have tens of thousands of attendees, Levi’s is more than accommodating.

13. MEET Las Vegas

  • Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Guest Count: 500

Las Vegas is the premier location for many corporate conferences, and there’s no shortage of unique venues and meeting spaces. However, MEET Las Vegas is a modern marvel that offers 40,000 square feet of conference space across three floors. Located in the heart of the city, it’s easy for you and your attendees to meet at MEET. This venue has high-tech audio/visual capabilities, and each room can be customized to your event, right down to the lighting and decor.

14. Music City Center

  • Location: Nashville, Tennessee
  • Guest Count: 6,000

If you’re going to host your conference in the South, there’s no better place to do it than at the Music City Center in Nashville. This massive conference center has become a tourist attraction in its own right, thanks to marvelous architecture and incredible designs. Because this center is so big, it works for enterprise-level conferences and events. The Music City Center has everything you need to accommodate you and your guests, including multiple meeting spaces, a huge auditorium for presentations, and even multiple museums nearby for guests to browse during their downtime.

15. Proprietor’s Reserve

  • Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Guest Count: 70

If you’re planning an executive-level conference, you want a luxurious and accommodating venue that is both gorgeous and practical. Proprietor’s Reserve is one of the top intimate venues in Las Vegas. While it’s close to the beating heart of the city, Proprietor’s Reserve offers an isolated and tranquil experience, allowing you to focus on your conference goals without the distractions of The Strip.

Elevate Your Next Conference With Unique Venues

Finding a corporate conference venue is easy when you use Unique Venues. Our catalog of spaces ranges from upscale luxury to practical and casual. Whether you’re hosting a business meeting for 50 guests or a massive multi-day conference with 10,000 attendees, we can help you find the right venue for your budget and needs.