About Seattle

Overlooking the azure waters of Puget Sound, Seattle lies beneath rugged mountains in the Pacific Northwest. It’s renowned for its outdoor lifestyle and culinary scene while supporting a vibrant tech industry as home to the headquarters of both Microsoft and Amazon. Seattle’s city center boasts iconic architectural landmarks such as the Space Needle and is dotted with picturesque parklands, making the “Emerald City” an enviable place to live.

With a diverse choice of meeting venues in Seattle and an abundance of experienced event planners, it’s an ideal place to hold your next corporate gathering. You can take advantage of the city’s professional vendors and outstanding catering teams, as well as its proximity to the great outdoors.

Meeting Options in Seattle

Once you’ve found your Seattle meeting venue, it’s time to decide on which vendors and services you need to add the finishing touches.

• Equipment rental
  Most meeting spaces in Seattle will come equipped with everything you need, while others will be a blank canvas for you to add your unique touch to. If you need to rent tables, chairs, or audio/visual equipment, you can do so with one of the city’s rental companies.
  

• Decor
  Want to create a special atmosphere at your meeting? Consider adding fresh flowers, potted plants, or artwork to the space to make it your own. Most Seattle event management companies can connect you with decor rentals, no matter the style or aesthetic you’re after.
  
  
• Caterers
  Stay refueled throughout your meeting with on-site catering, delivered to the door for your convenience. You can easily find caterers and cuisine to suit your preferences in Seattle, whether you’re after snack food or a full meal.
  
  
• Photographers
  By photographing your meeting and posting images to your social media channels, you’ll be able to promote your business and brand to a wider audience. Seattle photographers will capture high-quality images and deliver them with all post-processing complete.
  

• Transportation
  Seattle’s efficient public transportation system will get you and your colleagues to the meeting on time, without having to worry about traffic or parking.
  

Event Planning Companies in Seattle

Need help planning your meeting in Seattle? Invest in the services of one of the city’s event planning companies.

• A Kurant Event
  A Kurant Event is a full-scale Seattle event planning company that organizes corporate events, meetings, and private receptions. They offer a variety of services that are designed to cater to all budgets and will help you execute your meeting.

• Event Experience
  With both logistical and creative planning teams, Event Experience is a one-stop-shop for organizing your gathering. In addition to designing your meeting venue, they offer audiovisual and technical assistance, media production, and event entertainment as required.
  
  
• Event Success
  Led by Jacky Grotle, Event Success is one of the premier event planning companies in Seattle and the recipient of numerous accolades. They can assist with everything from contract negotiation to transportation, lighting, and decor, as well as on-site event management on the day of your meeting.
  

Pros and Cons of Meetings in Seattle

From the city’s gastronomic scene to its beautiful setting, there are plenty of perks to finding a meeting venue in Seattle. But the city’s unfavorable weather and high living costs might be a drawback for some.

Advantages

• Outstanding food scene
  With a culinary scene that’s all about locally sourced produce, Seattle is a foodie’s paradise. This means you’ll have incredible options when it comes to catering for your meeting.
  
  
• Proximity to nature
  Seattle’s proximity to the great outdoors is one of its biggest draws, with rugged mountains surrounding the city. It’s an ideal setting for combining a company meeting with some team bonding in nature.

• Experienced vendors
  Seattle boasts an abundance of professional vendors who can take charge of various aspects of your meeting to create a memorable event.
  
  
• It’s a safe city
  Seattle is a fairly safe city for visitors in relation to its size, although there are certain neighborhoods that are best to avoid.
  
  
• A diverse choice of meeting venues
  From eclectic bars to light-filled spaces, there is a wide selection of meeting venues in Seattle to meet all needs.

Disadvantages

• High costs of living
  As one of the most expensive cities in the United States, Seattle isn’t the most affordable place to hold a meeting when you take into consideration the high vendor prices.

• Unfavorable weather
  There’s no escaping the fact that Seattle experiences a lot of rain and often overcast, gray days. This means it’s not ideal for hosting outdoor meetings unless you’re scheduling your event for the height of summer.
  
  
• Terrible traffic
  Seattle’s traffic can be terrible, particularly during rush hours, when it’s known to come to complete gridlock.

• Seismic activity
  Surrounded by active volcanoes and situated in an earthquake-prone zone, Seattle is no stranger to natural disasters. That being said, the chance of something occurring during your meeting is low.

Famous Locations in Seattle

• Pike Place Market

A foodie paradise, Pike Place Market is packed with booths selling fresh produce, artisan goods, and locally-made crafts. It was established in the early 20th century and is a must-visit destination in Seattle for anyone wanting to experience the city’s gastronomic culture.

• Seattle Center

With the soaring Space Needle at its heart, the Seattle Center is a vibrant cultural complex that was originally established for the 1962 World’s Fair. No matter what your interests, you’ll find something to inspire your imagination here, from the Museum of Pop Culture to the Pacific Science Center.

• Chihuly Garden and Glass

Locally-born Dale Chihuly is one of the world’s most renowned glass artists, and this inspiring museum was established in 2012 on the site of a former amusement park. In addition to its interior galleries where Chihuly’s works are exhibited, it features a conservatory-inspired glasshouse, beautifully landscaped gardens, and a sun-dappled cafe.