Having the luxury of growing up in Huntsville, I know how cool a place it is. I went to middle and high school here, attended college here, and after touring the Southeast, decided that this is the place I’d love to raise my family. I know all about the family-friendly side of Huntsville, but did you know that Huntsville also has a diverse and rich business population? Hosting business in Huntsville is WAY easier than rocket science – and I know both sides of that coin pretty well.
Hosting Business in Huntsville
Working with one of North Alabama’s largest employers, I’ve had the joy of hosting events from 10-1,000 people, and I’ve found absolutely fabulous options for all sorts of groups. For our largest groups, I tend to gravitate to The Jackson Center, located on the campus of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology at Cummings Research Park. The Jackson Center not only has full-service catering (as well as a separate bar facility), but plentiful parking and state-of-the-art A/V setup. Any place that allows me to just walk in, plug in, and have a meeting is high on my must-visit list. It also has the benefit of being across the street from our historic and continually-groundbreaking HudsonAlpha facility, which allows visitors from out of town to realize what progressive life science research is happening here!
I’ve also loved working with the Embassy Suites in downtown Huntsville. Talk about full-service – guests can stay in the hotel, walk downstairs to one of several ballrooms for a meeting or conference, and then take the covered pedestrian bridge to the Von Braun Center arena, concert hall, or playhouse for a show or production that evening! I loved how the Embassy Suites team goes the extra mile in making everyone feel at home; a quick discussion about our event took place and even the smallest details in the decorations were done without our having asked. There were tiny space shuttles all over the buffet!
Got a smaller crowd? One of my favorite small spots in Huntsville is happy to host. If you have an eclectic crowd that would enjoy the history of our city, Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment actually has meeting space available! The North Wing Classroom is smaller, allowing for more intimate conversation and team-building, and how cool to be able to show how an old historic mill has been converted to a nationally recognized arts center! In my opinion, Lowe Mill is a perfect example of how Huntsville has reinvented itself through the years. With lots of snack/meal options available in the Mill itself, your guests can spend an entire day enjoying themselves in one area.
One of the newest places in Huntsville also has me VERY excited – Campus No. 805 has partnered with Bubba’s Silver Spoon Catering to launch a premier event space, right in the old Stone Middle School building! Bubba has promised us an event space that will make a name for itself, with spaces decked out with overstuffed chairs, premier A/V equipment, and bountiful parking. Plans include a theatre room (with the aforementioned overstuffed chairs) to accommodate 150, all the way to a large event room that can hold 1,100 folks for a cocktail event. Their booking is already starting to fill up, and you can count me on that waiting list!
Of course, if you’re still wondering what to do and where to go, let me point you to our amazing Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. They know all of the right folks in town and all the ins and outs of hosting an event here. From a family reunion to a large business meeting, Huntsville has lots of options to explore!
Campus No. 805's large event space
Embassy Suites
The Jackson Center
Lowe Mill North Wing Classroom
