Unique Meeting Spaces
You may be familiar with the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center already. It truly is a great, turnkey space that can accommodate all types of events from fashion shows and key note sessions to star-studded concerts. But, have you also been curious about other non traditional offsite meeting spaces that Long Beach has to offer?
Our team has gathered a list of several great venues, along with some information about each, to get you familiar.
1. Aquarium of the Pacific
We know, we know…an aquarium as a meeting space may sound a little out there for some, but we promise, it is SUCH a cool setting for any event. A backdrop of a large tank full of water and beautiful fish is something that an attendee will never forget! If you think that might be too much of a distraction for your particular event, not a problem. This venue has plenty of separate spaces for you to choose from. You can go with the LEED Platinum certified watershed, the front lawn, Café Scuba, the Tropical Gallery, the Great Hall, or the entire Aquarium! Bonus: SAVOR provides the catering for all the Aquarium of the Pacific’s events. (The same food and beverage provider used by the Long Beach Convention Center. It is delicious!)
2. The Queen Mary
The Queen Mary is a jack of all trades! This historic ship falls under the categories of a hotel, an attraction, and a meetings/events venue. No matter what your reason for visiting the ship, the Queen Mary always proves to be unforgettable. One distinctive characteristic about having your meeting/event on the Queen Mary is that the culinary team recreates dishes that were actually presented to the passengers of the ship when it first sailed in 1936! Whether your meeting is corporate or social, it will instantly feel more regal in any one of the numerous spaces that you can choose from at the Queen!
3. The Loft on Pine
If you have been searching for a great rustic venue for your event, well then look no further! The Loft on Pine offers a truly great space that is able to be customized for each event. When it's not being utilized as a gorgeous wedding venue, The Loft on Pine is a multi-functional meeting space due to its large open space (both upstairs & downstairs), which is easily transformed.
4. Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens
With great weather year-round, we are huge advocates for meeting outdoors as much as possible. Located on the campus of California State University of Long Beach’s, the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden provides a romantic setting for intimate, outdoor events. It is typically used as an enchanting wedding venue, but similar to The Loft on Pine, this garden doubles as a space for other event types as well. Board of Directors dinner or cocktail hour, anyone?!
5. Rancho Los Cerritos
Full of history (Spanish, Mexican, and American California to be exact!) and charm, Rancho Los Cerritos offers a distinctively different venue for meeting planners and their guests. This public museum is furnished to reflect the households and lifestyles of occupants from the 1860’s-1880’s. Attendees will be transported from the hustle and bustle of modern life to the historic charm of California ranch living.
6. Rancho Los Alamitos
Rancho Los Alamitos, which is located on a historic Povuu’ngna site, provides a beautifully kept landscape that is perfect for an outdoor meeting. This site also offers a package for luncheons (perfect for board meetings!), and that includes a guided tour around the restored ranch and gardens. Fun fact: unlike many other historic homes, close to all of the furnishings and décor within Rancho Los Alamitos’ Ranch House is original to the site.
As you can see, Long Beach has a variety of unconventional event/meeting venues to choose from. Whether you are looking for a venue that is indoor or outdoor, historic or modern, intimate or open, Long Beach offers plenty of options. If you would like to learn more about any of the unique spaces in the blogevent/meeting venues in the Long Beach, please email josephj@longbeachcvb.org and use, Subject: "MeetinLB Space Information".
