Why Meet in Hartford

Location, Location, Location

• More people live within 100 miles of Hartford (23 million) than any other US city except New York.
• Hartford is at the center of a very high concentration of most organizations' members.
• A meeting in Hartford reduces travel costs and assures high attendance.

Affordability

• Hartford is a cost/value alternative to other major cities in the Northeast.
• Hartford is a low-cost alternative to Boston for the New England Experience.

Accessibility

• Bradley International Airport (BDL) is a convenient, hassle-free alternative to other northeast airports, such as Boston and New York
• Bradley offers close to 300 national and international flights daily
• Serviced by all major carriers, including low cost carriers, Southwest, America West and Delta Song, Bradley offers direct service to the West coast.
• Corporate/Business Jet travelers - 1.5 miles for Hartford Downtown Airport (HFD) with very convenient access to the convention center. Serviced by Atlantic Aviation Services (www.atlanticaviation.com), a national FBO chain that handles the needs of corporate, chartered, and privately owned aircraft across America.
• Hartford lies at the crossroads of 4 newly expanded major US Interstates
• Hartford is part of Amtrak’s nationwide rail services

Gateway to New England

• Hartford is a gateway to many interesting New England destinations.
• As a region, New England has traditionally ranked among the top 5 national tourist attractions.
• 75% of all major groups are looking for a New England meeting site every 5-7 years.

Facilities

• Hartford is home to the new state-of-the-art Connecticut Convention Center, one of New England’s most vibrant and contemporary meeting venues.
• The Connecticut Convention Center joins the Hartford Civic Center and the Connecticut Expo Center, bringing total meeting and convention space to 740,000 square feet.
• XL Center, managed by Madison Square Garden, is Connecticut’s largest premier sports and entertainment facility, accommodating groups of all sizes.
• The Connecticut Expo Center offers 88,000 square feet of drive-in exhibition space with a limitless floor load and abundant adjacent parking.
• Exceptional hotels such as Hilton, Sheraton, Marriott, Crowne Plaza.

Historic Charm

• Hartford is one of America's oldest cities (established in 1634).
• Hartford offers a distinctive array of architecture dating to the 17th century.
• Hartford boasts more sites on the National Register of Historic Landmarks than any other region except New Orleans.

Entertainment

• During all four seasons, Hartford provides a rich and diverse mix of attractions and cultural activities including renowned museums, opera, ballet, symphony, men and women's professional and college basketball, professional baseball, footbal, soccer and hockey, theater, concerts, festivals, exhibits, shopping, river cruises, restaurants, nightclubs.

Attractions

• Hartford is at the heart of a great many nationally recognized attractions like the Old State House, Wadsworth Atheneum, Bushnell Park, Bushnell Park Carousel, Mark Twain/Harriet Beecher Stowe Homesteads, Bushnell Memorial Hall, State Capitol Building, historic homes, New England Air Museum, Mystic Seaport, Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mohegan Sun Resort, Essex Valley Railroad, Old Sturbridge Village, Basketball Hall of Fame, USS Nautilus, Goodspeed Opera, the shore, major ski areas.

• The Greater Hartford Convention and Visitors Bureau makes planning and implementing your meeting less time-consuming and more streamlined.
• We offer a professional staff to serve as liaison between planners and suppliers from transportation companies and caterers to off-site entertainment venues.

• A four-time recipient of Successful Meetings prestigious Pinnacle Award, the Greater Hartford Convention and Visitors Bureau can assist throughout all phases of convention planning.

Promotion

• A Hartford booth at your prior years conference is a great way to build attendance for your upcoming meeting. We will send an expert member of our destination staff to provide information, build awareness and create excitement for your meeting in Hartford. Restrictions apply.

Convention planning

• Let our professional convention services staff assist you with your pre convention planning. Our skilled team of professionals will serve as liaison to the local business community and provide assistance to ensure a memorable meeting experience.

Passkey Housing Service

• Hartford is proud to be Passkey enabled! Our convention and visitors bureau operates a central housing reservation service for convention groups using two or more hotels. Passkey.com's internet software and our convention services department offer the following housing benefits:
  - One-stop solution for group housing
  - Total control over the process throughout the entire event's lifecycle
  - Connects all parties live to access and share data
  - Attendees have the flexibility to transact online or by traditional means (fax, mail)
  - Real-time block and pick-up reports available, 24/7
  - Secure environment for gathering, processing and distributing critical data
  - Training and Support for your staff
  - Tools to reduce hotel attrition and wash
  - Accurate room pick-up histories, giving greater negotiating power for your next event
  - Single system providing continuity from city to city