Convention facilities vital to North Idaho

NORTH IDAHO — Conventions are a big part of the Coeur d'Alene Resort's business and a big part of North Idaho's business, say those in the know.

Not only do people spend money on lodging when they stay overnight for conventions, the spend upwards of 50 percent more shopping, eating, and visiting attractions, said Coeur d'Alene Visitor Bureau Vice President for Tourism Dani Zibell-Wolfe.

The bureau does not have specific information on the economic impact of conventions, but "we know they (conventions) are a significant impact on our economy," she said.

And those dollars spent in the community turn over at least twice, Zibell-Wolfe said, citing a study conducted by a Washington State University economic development professor in 2007.

North Idaho has a number of convention facilities.

The Coeur d'Alene Resort is one of the biggest players, with approximately 25,000 square feet of meeting space — and that's just indoors. The outdoor venues include the Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course pavilion, the front grounds of the Resort, and the pool deck area, which overlooks the Coeur d'Alene Resort Marina. Another very special option is to hold a meeting aboard a chartered Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruise, said Resort Director of Sales and Marketing J.J. Jaeger.

The Resort relies on the conventions, he said. Groups holding meetings at the Resort range from 10 up to hundreds.

"I think we're fortunate,

we do have a great resort and a great town with which to have these facilities, people love to be here," Jaeger said.

Coeur d'Alene is a unique and beautiful place with great people, the Resort is fantastic, and the spa and golf course make it attractive for people who want to come to Coeur d'Alene, he said.

The Coeur d'Alene Inn, a sister property to the Resort, hosts plenty of conventions as well, with groups ranging up to 400 people.

The Red Lion Templin's Hotel on the River in Post Falls is another popular place for conventions.

The hotel has 11,000 square feet of meeting space, 11 different rooms and the capacity to serve a banquet for 400, said Templin's Director of Sales and Marketing Eric Allen.

The hotel hosts 45-50 conventions every year, and of those, 25-30 are meetings of 100 or more people.

"Convention business is extremely important to the success of our hotel and also the community," Allen said.

What attracts people to Templin's is the 175-slip marina, the River Queen cruises, private beaches and other amenities, he said.

He urged people who belong to different kinds of organizations to promote the area for regional or statewide meetings.

"Kind of be an ambassador to our city," Allen said.

Other area hotels offer meeting space and their own special amenities as well.

One fun option for meetings is Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Water Park, which also reaps benefits from conventions held at other places in the region. Often, conventioneers will hear about the park from their hotel and then they'll return with their families, said Silverwood Marketing Director Nancy DiGiammarco.

In addition to family visits, tens of thousands of people visit the park as part of groups.

"They come, in anything from a small family reunion group to a large company group," she said.

Sometimes they have a meal, sometimes they just play in park — they can have it to themselves after hours.

Silverwood also has a team-building program, offering customized contest, scavenger hunts and the kinds of tools to help groups build their teamwork skills, DiGiammarco said.

"We pretty much tailor to whatever their needs are," she said.