Black Meetings & Tourism - Massachusetts' Eastern States Exposition Offers Meeting Site Options And Year-Round Events

Facilities Update
Massachusetts' Eastern States Exposition Offers Meeting Site Options And Year-Round Events
When meeting and convention attendees find themselves with some leisure time between events, it’s sometimes difficult or even impossible to make arrangements to go off-site to enjoy themselves during those moments. However, Eastern States Exposition (ESE) has a full roster of consumer-oriented shows throughout the year, and depending on the timing of your meeting, your attendees could find themselves able to take in a gem and jewelry show, agricultural exhibit, bridal show or any number of events that are just steps away from their own meeting site. Eastern States Exposition, located in West Springfield, Massachusetts, offers 355,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space for conventions, conferences, trade shows and more. Meeting planners have many options for large and small areas within the facility’s 175 acres, which are handsomely landscaped to present a park-like atmosphere. Buildings range in size from 28,000 sq. ft. to 129,400 sq. ft., which can be used in any combination, and there is a 5,500-seat arena – the Coliseum. ESE is also home to more than 100 large-scale annual events, including The Original Western Massachusetts Home Show, the Melha Shrine Circus, Equine Affaire® and The Big E, the largest fair in the northeast that takes place on the ESE grounds for 17 days each September. Other consumer shows held regularly include motorcycle shows, craft fairs, camping and RV shows, and wine tastings. As a reflection of its rich agricultural history, ESE also showcases a number of livestock shows throughout the year, including cattle, alpaca and sheep shows, and a 4-H Fair. It is also the home of 14 premier horse shows, and a number of kennel club dog shows and agility trials. Storrowton Village Museum, a charming collection of nine authentic, antique buildings arranged around a recreated early American town green, is a popular destination on the ESE grounds. Meeting attendees can enjoy dining at Storrowton Tavern, famed for its traditional New England fare and historic ambiance. The Tavern is open for lunch and dinner, and also hosts banquets. Eastern States Exposition is a convenient destination for meeting and convention attendees. Located near the intersection of the Mass Turnpike (I-90) and I-91, ESE is part of western Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley region, which can be easily navigated and is free of big city gridlock and parking restrictions. Bradley International Airport is located approximately 15 miles south in Connecticut and easy to reach via I-91 or Rte. 75. No matter what your meeting needs may be, the Pioneer Valley has an endless array of choices, and the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau stands ready to handle all your requirements and details with the utmost of professionalism. To inquire about bringing a group to our region, contact Director of Sales Alicia Szenda at (413) 755-1346 or alicia@valleyvisitor.com. For additional information about leisure tours to enjoy the region while your group is in town, contact Convention Services Coordinator Taryn Siciliano at (413) 755-1370 or taryn@valleyvisitor.com. For regional information, visit the Bureau’s web site at www.valleyvisitor.com. The GSCVB, an affiliate of the Economic Development Council of Western MA, is a private non-profit destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley for meetings and conventions, group tours and leisure travel.

Facilities Update

Massachusetts' Eastern States Exposition Offers Meeting Site Options And Year-Round Events

When meeting and convention attendees find themselves with some leisure time between events, it’s sometimes difficult or even impossible to make arrangements to go off-site to enjoy themselves during those moments. However, Eastern States Exposition (ESE) has a full roster of consumer-oriented shows throughout the year, and depending on the timing of your meeting, your attendees could find themselves able to take in a gem and jewelry show, agricultural exhibit, bridal show or any number of events that are just steps away from their own meeting site.

Eastern States Exposition, located in West Springfield, Massachusetts, offers 355,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space for conventions, conferences, trade shows and more. Meeting planners have many options for large and small areas within the facility’s 175 acres, which are handsomely landscaped to present a park-like atmosphere. Buildings range in size from 28,000 sq. ft. to 129,400 sq. ft., which can be used in any combination, and there is a 5,500-seat arena – the Coliseum.

ESE is also home to more than 100 large-scale annual events, including The Original Western Massachusetts Home Show, the Melha Shrine Circus, Equine Affaire® and The Big E, the largest fair in the northeast that takes place on the ESE grounds for 17 days each September. Other consumer shows held regularly include motorcycle shows, craft fairs, camping and RV shows, and wine tastings. As a reflection of its rich agricultural history, ESE also showcases a number of livestock shows throughout the year, including cattle, alpaca and sheep shows, and a 4-H Fair. It is also the home of 14 premier horse shows, and a number of kennel club dog shows and agility trials.

Storrowton Village Museum, a charming collection of nine authentic, antique buildings arranged around a recreated early American town green, is a popular destination on the ESE grounds. Meeting attendees can enjoy dining at Storrowton Tavern, famed for its traditional New England fare and historic ambiance. The Tavern is open for lunch and dinner, and also hosts banquets.

Eastern States Exposition is a convenient destination for meeting and convention attendees. Located near the intersection of the Mass Turnpike (I-90) and I-91, ESE is part of western Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley region, which can be easily navigated and is free of big city gridlock and parking restrictions. Bradley International Airport is located approximately 15 miles south in Connecticut and easy to reach via I-91 or Rte. 75.

No matter what your meeting needs may be, the Pioneer Valley has an endless array of choices, and the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau stands ready to handle all your requirements and details with the utmost of professionalism. To inquire about bringing a group to our region, contact Director of Sales Alicia Szenda at (413) 755-1346 or alicia@valleyvisitor.com. For additional information about leisure tours to enjoy the region while your group is in town, contact Convention Services Coordinator Taryn Siciliano at (413) 755-1370 or taryn@valleyvisitor.com. For regional information, visit the Bureau’s web site at www.valleyvisitor.com.

The GSCVB, an affiliate of the Economic Development Council of Western MA, is a private non-profit destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley for meetings and conventions, group tours and leisure travel.