We believe we have chosen an exemplary venue for the proposed 2010 NSS Convention: the Champlain Valley Exposition. Conveniently located just 4 miles from the Burlington International Airport, 2 miles from Interstate 89, and just 10 minutes from downtown Burlington and beautiful Lake Champlain, the “EXPO” is Vermont’s premier special events center. It offers a single site for tent camping, RV’s and all meeting and event functions.
The EXPO conference and meeting room complex includes under one roof over 100,000 square feet of air conditioned space. There are six large meeting rooms (1,440 – 5,400 ft2), and Exhibit Hall (11,500 ft2), and the Expo Centre (79,000 ft2). The complex is entirely air-conditioned and completely handicapped accessible and secure. There are multiple showers, food service, a support kitchen for caterers, every kind of chair, table, pipe and drape, and other exhibit amenities you could imagine, small rooms for event office staff and newsletter, phone, computer, and wireless capability, and collaborative relationships with AV and other support entities.
Developed from agricultural roots as a county fairground, there are numerous other exhibit halls and meeting rooms, as well as a 3,500 seat covered grandstand. The complex covers 133 acres of nicely landscaped green space and has full-service campground areas for 500 RVs and 2,000 tent campers, including showers, electricity and water. There is more parking space than we could ever use. Everything is within a 5 minute walk.
Stores, restaurants and other businesses are also within walking distance, and Vermont Convention Bureau will assist in block booking of motel, hotel, and other accommodations.
While the closest known cave is about two miles away, an hour’s drive or less can get you to several others. Vermont’s premier marble belt is about two hours’ drive. Pre and post convention trips in Vermont, the Adirondacks of New York, the Albany-Schoharie New York region and other areas offer great potential. Hiking, climbing, biking, water sports (including diving), ice skating, skate-boarding, museums and night life are all minutes away. There is something for everyone – avid caver, scientist, vendor, JSS – to make this a great family convention.
We have had two extended site visits and meetings at the EXPO site, and find the staff excited about hosting the NSS. They clearly are very experience at hosting a variety of very large events. They also clearly express the attitude that “Nothing is Impossible.”
We have worked from the detailed NSS Convention Guide on facilities, and believe the EXPO will provide an exemplary experience for the NSS. The Banquet, Photo Salon, Vertical Workshop, Howdy Party, office and meeting space, including the Board of Governors and Congress of Grottoes, indoor and outdoor vendor and JSS needs, and registration have all been discussed on site, and, we believe will be excellently covered.
Vermont is known for its mountainous beauty and serenity – and convention-goers will find it in abundance, all from the convenience of a centrally-located, superb site.
Peter Youngbaer
Facility Chair
Home Facilities Activities Sessions Salons Vendors Contacts Lake Champlain Monster
