Mid-Ohio Valley
GreaterParkersburg.com; @VisitPKB
Parkersburg is unique in how it blends a rich history, scenic rivers, and small-town charm with unexpected attractions, says Mark Lewis, president and CEO of the Greater Parkersburg CVB. “We offer island adventures on historic Blennerhassett Island, beautiful Victorian neighborhoods, outdoor recreation, and a vibrant local spirit. Attractions, such as Blennerhassett Island Historic State Park and Discovery World on Market, a kids’ STEM museum, are great for event attendees who want to bring their families along.”
The new Center on Market event venue includes an 8,000-square-foot multipurpose room that can seat 400 for dinners or 800 theater style, plus three boardrooms. It is part of the Wood County Resiliency Center, which combines municipal service offices with versatile event space.
Grand Pointe Conference Center offers the area’s largest event space, at 12,000 square feet of function space, and full-service catering for galas or dinners. Parkersburg Art Center has gallery spaces, a boardroom, and a ballroom for up to 300 banquet style or 500 theater style. The Links at Woodbridge, the state’s oldest links-style course, has a newly renovated banquet hall to accommodate 300 guests. North Bend State Park has a 29-room lodge, one- to four-bedroom cabins, and 1,988 square feet of conference space.
There are approximately 1,084 guest rooms in the Parkersburg area. The 100-room Hampton Inn & Suites Parkersburg Downtown has two meeting rooms. Comfort Suites Parkersburg South/Mineral Wells has a variety of event spaces, including a 2,523-square-foot meeting center. Downtown’s historic Blennerhassett Hotel & Spa has 82 guest rooms, a 200-person-capacity ballroom, two smaller event rooms, and an outdoor tented, climate-controlled patio for up to 150 people.
Approximately one hour south of Parkersburg, at Cedar Lakes State Recreation Area, Cedar Lakes Conference Center has been a gathering spot for retreats, corporate meetings, fairs, festivals, and other events. It offers flexible lodging options for groups of all sizes with 44 traditional guest rooms in Holt Lodge, traditional and dormitory rooms in several other lodges, and nine dormitory-style cottages.
Meeting spaces include the 6,000-square-foot Assembly Hall and classrooms; Holt Meeting Room, inside Holt Lodge, with space to seat 132 guests theater style; and the Craft House, with four studios that can be rented separately or combined. In addition, groups can choose from picnic shelters, pavilions, and campfire gathering spots.
Cedar Lakes Conference Center is home
to the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair, held every July, and offers craft workshops and a variety of recreational opportunities, such as disc golf, volleyball, swimming, fishing, hiking, and more.
