Smart Meetings

Juneau, a town of 30,000 hugging the shoreline of Southeast, is actually where the state’s business gets done.

And that means they know how to cater to meeting professionals.

Juneau’s main venue is the Centennial Hall and Convention Center, with rooms ranging from 300 to 11,275 sq. ft. The center is right downtown, but then, one of the main advantages to Juneau is how many of its attractions are walking distance from the city center.

Or, let’s amend that: there’s also tram distance. For events with a view, the Mount Roberts Tramway (goldbelt.com/subsidiaries/MRT.html) can host a banquet for 250 in its Timberline Room, set high above town, overlooking the Gastineau Channel and Douglas Island. And on the way up, your attendees can check the trails below for bears.

If you really want to do something different for your meetings, why not take them outside? Auk Nu’s (auknutours.com) excursion boat accommodates up to 50, which means you can hold meetings with the most dramatic backdrop your attendees have ever seen: Tracy Arm, just south of town, where huge chunks of blue ice the size of shopping malls break off the glacial face.

Keep in mind that once visitors have seen the state, they are rarely in a hurry to leave. Lorene Palmer, of the Juneau Convention & Visitors Bureau, says, “Juneau’s dramatic natural environment makes it a unique convention destination. Because Juneau is also a popular vacation destination, the variety of tours and activities are incredible. Attendees often plan to stay several days beyond the meeting to make the most of their Alaska visit.”

Pan for gold, hang out with whales, kayak in the still waters off Douglas Island. When office hours are done, Juneau turns into a great big outdoor playground.

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Getting There

Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka are accessible via Alaska Airlines through Seattle. Back to Top

Not To Be Missed

Strike it Rich. Alaska was settled on the back of gold rushes. Nome, Juneau and Fairbanks were all rush towns, and still have places to pan for gold, as well as old mineworks and gold dredges to tour. Back to Top