Meetings, banquets, trade shows and weddings for up to 400 guests can be held at the La Crescent Area Event Center, a three-room venue with a hotel connected to the building and a pub on site. The center sits on Veterans Parkway in La Crescent, Minnesota, about 5 minutes from downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Seminars and company events
The center takes corporate meetings, training sessions, award ceremonies, holiday parties, fundraisers, galas and trade shows. Rooms can be set with round tables, classroom or theater seating, reception layouts, exhibit booths or crescent seating, and the floor plan is drawn for each event. Every rental includes three drop-down projection screens, a wired podium, wireless microphones, Bluetooth audio and wifi. Tables, chairs, linens, setup and takedown are part of the rental, and an event coordinator follows the booking from the first call to the day itself. Nonprofit groups apply through the center's board of directors.
Weddings and receptions
The Grand Ballroom holds receptions for up to 400 guests and can also host the ceremony indoors. Couples have a getting-ready room and a gift opening room, and bridal showers and rehearsal dinners can be held in the same building. Floor-to-ceiling windows, a patio and access to a public park give space for photos. Three wedding packages, Classic, Signature and Exclusive, add items such as a private bar with bartenders, centerpieces, early access the day before and upgraded lighting, and a suite for the couple's wedding night is included.
Rooms and capacities
The building has three rooms. The Grand Ballroom is the largest, for up to 400 guests at a reception. The site does not publish the names or capacities of the two other rooms, which are used for meetings and smaller events. The building is fully accessible, and parking is free.
Accommodation
The Best Western Plus next door is connected to the center by an indoor walkway. It is operated independently, and the center can set up a room block for guests. The hotel has an indoor pool and a fitness center.
Catering
Food comes from a list of more than ten approved caterers, who work from the center's catering kitchen. China, glassware and stainless flatware are provided. Cakes and desserts must come from licensed bakeries. Bar service, hosted or cash, is run by the Swing Bridge Pub on site, which also has a dining room and patio. Coffee, pastries and non-alcoholic drinks for meetings can be ordered from the center.
History and setting
The event center is run by a nonprofit organization in La Crescent, a town known as the Apple Capital of Minnesota. A city park lies across the parking lot, and shops and restaurants are nearby.
Getting there
The center is just off Interstate 90, about 4 miles from downtown La Crosse, 7 miles from Onalaska, 27 miles from Winona and 70 miles from Rochester.
