Square feet and more: an update on major meeting places in Indiana.

• Author: Tricker, Jennifer
• Position: Meetings & Conventions

Genesis Convention Center, Gary. Chicago-land's Genesis Convention Center offers areas, small and large, for any size meeting and hosts more than 500 events annually. Billed as the largest meeting facility in northwest Indiana and the south-suburban Chicago area, larger gatherings may choose between the 24,472-square-foot arena, which seats 7,000, or the 9,676 carpeted square feet of Indiana Hall, complete with chandeliers and special lighting for up to 1,000 guests. There are 12 recently redecorated rooms available on the second floor for smaller groups of 20 to 500. Two hundred will be comfortably accommodated in the newly renovated Red Ribbon Lounge.

The center underwent a technological upgrade providing Internet access since 2001. Audio/visual services are available, as well as on-site, full-menu catering from Chef Brooks' menu.

One Genesis Center Plaza

Gary, IN 46402

219/882-5505

www.genesisarena.com

Century Center Convention & Cultural Complex, South Bend.

More than 75,000 square feet of flexible space is offered in the Century Center's suites and halls. The spectacular whitewater rapids may be viewed from the White Water Ballroom or the three-story window of the Great Hall, a multipurpose brick-paved courtyard. Twenty-five thousand square feet of unobstructed and carpeted meeting and exhibit space are available in one divisible convention hall, while another provides 12,000 square feet for use. Up to 11 variable-sized rooms can be created via soundproof partitions in the river-level suites.

Additionally, there are 15 breakout rooms and the 694-seat Bendix Theatre. Each event is assigned an event coordinator to assist in personal consultation and attention to detail. The latest sound, lighting and multimedia equipment is available, in addition to high-speed Internet access. Century Center offers networking facilities for videoconferencing and video downlink.

120 S. Saint Joseph St.

South Bend, IN 46601

574/235-9711

www.centurycenter.org

Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne.

The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum has 170,000 square feet of total exhibit space and last year hosted 1,800 events with 1.2 million guests. The coliseum has undergone many renovations and advancements recently, including a major technology infrastructure upgrade now making wireless Internet access available and digital communication systems for in-house telecommunication and audio/visual needs.

The structural makeover involved raising the 50-year-old...