About Oakland
Would you rather spend time near the ocean, or in a forest? In Oakland, you won’t have to choose. Going from one end of the city to the other will allow you to experience both of these worlds. For example, you could visit the Jack London District and indulge in some delicious food, drinks, and music as well as some beautiful views of The Bay, then head over to the other side of town for a hike in an enchanting redwood forest.
There's also plenty to see inside the city, too. The sparkling Lake Merritt - right in the city center - is a true oasis in an urban landscape. There's the Oakland Zoo, with hundreds of both native and exotic animals to meet. As for nature, there's Joaquin Miller Park or Oakland Redwood Regional Park along the outskirts of the city. And, if you’d like to look at some art, you only need to take a walk along through it, as Oakland is home to an eclectic street art scene. With a very pleasant climate and beautiful scenery, as well as delicious food, and things to do all year, you are right to look for a meeting space in Oakland. (You likely won't find a better spot.)
Meeting Options in Oakland
- Equipment
Need equipment for your Oakland meeting? No matter the size or type of your meeting, you will easily be able to find everything you need to make it a success. From meeting tables and comfortable chairs to pens, printers and scanners, you can put a checkmark next to every item on your list.
- Attire
Whether you want something that will leave a lasting impression, a unique piece made by an independent tailor, or a luxurious suit that will last you a lifetime, the boutiques and stores in Oakland have it all. You’ll also easily find just the right type of attire for your meeting outfit, not matter the style.
- Audio and visual setup
Lighting is an important part of any meeting, especially the ones that can go on late into the night. In Oakland, you can find everything you need for a completely professional audio and visual set up that can help your meeting go without a hitch.
- Caterers
Meetings can last a long time and you and your colleagues are bound to get hungry. There are plenty of catering options in Oakland that offer all kinds of food: barbecue, steaks, sandwiches, pastries, deserts, you name it! And, when you have time to eat outside, the city has plenty of food trucks for you to eat curbside.
- Transportation
You can make sure everyone arrives to your meeting on time, with Oakland's abundance of transportation option. Whether you need to a bus, van, or car, you can find in Oakland.
Meeting Planning Companies in Oakland
- Rosecrest Special Events
If you are holding a meeting, hiring someone for the planning part can take some weight off your shoulders. Rosecrest Special Events will take care of finding a venue, catering, managing audio and visual vendors, transportation and even getting personalized products, if that is something you are in need of.
- Visionary Events and Designs
Janelle & Danny at Visionary Events and Designs offer different packages you can choose, from design services, full and partial planning, all depending on your budget and what it is you need. They also offer a large array of furniture and equipment for rental, as well.
- Memorable Events by Lahoma
Bring your meeting vision to life with Memorable Events by Lahoma. This boutique design firm offers full concept design for meetings of all sizes. They can help you with finding vendors, taking care of sound and lighting, as well as site selection and catering.
Pros and Cons of Organizing a Meeting in Oakland
Advantages
- Nature
Even when you are short on time, you can get your daily dose of the beautiful outdoors, because when you’re in Oakland, you are never too far from a park, a garden or some type of luscious greenery.
- The weather
Oakland has a very temperate climate, which results in the city having great weather with plenty of sunny days during the year, and this makes any and all activities, business or otherwise, much easier to handle.
- Public transport
If you don’t have a car, or simply don’t feel like driving to your meeting, the public transport in Oakland is a great alternative, as it's both efficient and reliable.
Disadvantages
- The prices
While it is not as bad as San Francisco, it can still be pretty expensive to organize a meeting in Oakland, so always be well of how much you have to spend.
- The traffic
Getting stuck in rush hour traffic in Oakland might make your guests late for your very important Oakland meeting.
- Air pollution
As with every metropolitan area in the world, Oakland has some issues with air pollution which can make your commute unpleasant.
Famous Meeting Locations in Oakland
- Lake Merritt
Nothing is as relaxing after a hard day’s work as taking a walk next to a tranquil body of water. In Oakland, the ideal place for this is definitely Lake Merritt, with incredible views of the city surrounding it. For an even more extraordinary experience, you can even go on the water by renting a gondola.
- Jack London Square
Jack London Square is an entertainment destination on the waterfront of Oakland. There’s no end to the fun that you can have here. Go for a meal at one of the restaurants, listen to great music, go shopping, or simply enjoy the gorgeous view of The Bay sprawling before you. On the business side of things, there are also spaces here that you can rent for your next meeting.
- Oakland Museum of California
The Oakland Museum of California might make for a great pre or post meeting activity. Just a few blocks away from some extraordinary studio spaces (perfect for your next meeting), this museum houses an almost endless and very diverse number of artifacts from art, history, and the natural sciences.
