17 A TO Z BOOST YOUR EVENT BOOKINGS TECH TOOLS FOR NONPROFITS TECH TRENDS RCMA S NEW MOMENTUM MELVIN TENNANT MAKES HISTORY PAGE 24.

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1 17 A TO Z TECH TRENDS 5 TECH TOOLS FOR NONPROFITS 14 BOOST YOUR EVENT BOOKINGS RCMA S NEW MOMENTUM MELVIN TENNANT MAKES HISTORY PAGE 24 Summer 2014

ELKHART LAKE destination VILLAGE OF ELKHART LAKE From fast cars to slow afternoons, Wisconsin s legendary getaway is great for building teams. BY LAURIE DOVE PHOTO COURTESY OF: THE OSTHOFF RESORT.

2 ELKHART LAKE destination VILLAGE OF ELKHART LAKE From fast cars to slow afternoons, Wisconsin s legendary getaway is great for building teams. BY LAURIE DOVE PHOTO COURTESY OF: THE OSTHOFF RESORT. Along the shores of a spring-fed, 292- acre lake one of the deepest and clearest in the region lies the Village of Elkhart Lake. Founded in 1894 and known for its Victorian architecture and family friendly activities, the Village of Elkhart Lake is Wisconsin s answer to charming. Although it is tucked within a stretch of Kettle Moraine State Forest, the village isn t a difficult destination. Halfway between Milwaukee and Green Bay, the Village of Elkhart Lake is within an hour s reach by car. General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee offers direct service from about 90 destinations, while Austin Straubel International Airport in Greenbay is the state s third largest. The Village of Elkhart Lake is home to three lakeside resorts and a handful of bed and breakfast inns, all within easy walking distance of downtown. There, you ll find eclectic boutiques and art galleries, and a variety of restaurants. On Saturday mornings, Elkhart s famous farmers market draws a crowd. And if you have a little time for fun, the Quit Qui Oc golf course awaits as does Elkhart Lake, which is home to dinner cruises, fishing guides, kayak outings and more. Meeting and conference attendees utilize these entertaining teambuilding activities, as well as the unique event venues, and 350 rooms and condominium suites throughout the Village of Elkhart Lake. The spring-fed water of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, beckons. MyRCMA.org 43

The Osthoff Resort The Osthoff Resort, a AAA Four Diamond Property in Elkhart Lake, recently wrapped a 20,000-square-foot expansion that brings the resort s function space to 38,000 square feet.

up to 1,500 for theater-style meetings and events. The Villa Gottfried Parlor, with its fireplace and cozy furniture, is ideal for informal breakout sessions, receptions and refreshment breaks.

Customized menus are available, including specialized items adapted from the Osthoff s onsite restaurants, Lake Restaurant and Lounge and Otto s Restaurant.

The north wing of the resort, which comprises the enlarged conference center, exhibits turn-of-the-century décor and a pleasing mix of modern amenities.

3 The Osthoff Resort The Osthoff Resort, a AAA Four Diamond Property in Elkhart Lake, recently wrapped a 20,000-square-foot expansion that brings the resort s function space to 38,000 square feet. With half the expansion dedicated to meeting and event space and the other half to pre-function and prep areas, the Osthoff Resort s Grand Libelle Ballroom can accommodate 840 for seated dinners and up to 1,500 for theater-style meetings and events. The Villa Gottfried Parlor, with its fireplace and cozy furniture, is ideal for informal breakout sessions, receptions and refreshment breaks. Plus, the adjacent Villa Gottfried Room can accommodate up to 140 guests in a classroom setting and up to 180 guests for a seated banquet. Customized menus are available, including specialized items adapted from the Osthoff s onsite restaurants, Lake Restaurant and Lounge and Otto s Restaurant. For a VIP event, consider Lola s on the Lake, a private dining room located within the Lake Restaurant and Lounge that offers views of the lake, a fireplace and an adjoining outdoor patio. The north wing of the resort, which comprises the enlarged conference center, exhibits turn-of-the-century décor and a pleasing mix of modern amenities. Technologically rich offerings, from broadcast-quality cameras to video lighting kits, are matched with professional, onsite assistance. The Siebkens Resort The Siebkens Resort includes three properties: The Elm Park, The Lake Cottage and The Lakeview Condominium-Hotel Building. The Elm Park building is the resort s original two-story building; it was constructed in the 1930s by Laura and Herman Siebken, and has 24 guest rooms. There are additional guest rooms located in The Lake Cottage and The Lakeview Condominium-Hotel Building. PHOTOS COURTESY OF: THE OSTHOFF RESORT, ELKHART LAKE TOURISM COMMISSION, VICTORIAN VILLAGE RESORT. 44 ASPIRE SUMMER 2014

The resort s main dining room accommodates up to 250 guests for a seated meal and is a popular venue for corporate and association functions, says Laurie Stecker, owner of Siebkens Resort.

Siebken Resort s onsite dining venue, the Stop-Inn Tavern and Restaurant, offers a sun porch for up to 50 guests, indoor seating for up to 60 (receptions can accommodate 75), an outdoor deck with

4 The resort s main dining room accommodates up to 250 guests for a seated meal and is a popular venue for corporate and association functions, says Laurie Stecker, owner of Siebkens Resort. The main dining room s sun porch is a bright, airy room surrounded by flower gardens that can seat an additional 40 guests. Siebken Resort s onsite dining venue, the Stop-Inn Tavern and Restaurant, offers a sun porch for up to 50 guests, indoor seating for up to 60 (receptions can accommodate 75), an outdoor deck with seating for 35 and a gazebo yard that can easily suit 50 guests. Poolside group functions particularly meet-and-greet receptions are another popular option, Stecker adds. Victorian Village Resort The Victorian Inn lakeside property includes the inn, The Lakeside Suites and The Grand Victorian Lady for a combined 49 guest suites. The property has been welcoming visitors for more than 100 years. Meetings and special events often take place in the resort s theatre, known for its raised stage, dance floor and buffet bar; the space seats up to 300 for plated meals. The surrounding grounds can be tented to accommodate hundreds of guests for special events and also provide an ideal spot for teambuilding activities like traditional lawn games. Clockwise from top left: Lola s on the Lake is one of the Osthoff s dining options and a great place to gather after a meeting-filled day. The scenic campus of the Osthoff Resort. Attendees can relax by the pool in their free time at the Victorian Village Resort. One of the meeting rooms at the Villa Gottfried. The Villa Gottfried parlor presents a cozy place to meet. MyRCMA.org 45

Clockwise from top left: Some of Elkhart Lake s many teambuilding options include canoe races. Meeting participants can turn a golf outing into a teambuilding opportunity.

Teambuilding on the Lake If teambuilding is on the agenda, the Village at Elkhart Lake offers plenty of options including some you may not expect.

From basic French cooking skills to lessons in creating French comfort food, teambuilding activities take a delicious turn.

For an especially active route, try teambuilding at Road America Experience.

5 Clockwise from top left: Some of Elkhart Lake s many teambuilding options include canoe races. Meeting participants can turn a golf outing into a teambuilding opportunity. A French cooking class a unique way to break the ice at the Osthoff Resort. Attendees can experience the thrill of the race at the Road America Experience. Teambuilding on the Lake If teambuilding is on the agenda, the Village at Elkhart Lake offers plenty of options including some you may not expect. L ecole da la Maison at the Osthoff Resort is a French culinary school with a variety of food-centric group activities. From basic French cooking skills to lessons in creating French comfort food, teambuilding activities take a delicious turn. Under the tutelage of The Osthoff s Chef Scott Baker, attendees whip up French onion au gratin, Lyonnaise salad with poached organic eggs, French baguettes and more. For an especially active route, try teambuilding at Road America Experience. Located on 640 acres near the village, Road America Experience is one of the country s premier racing tracks four miles, 14 turns and host to exciting group outings. It opened in the 1950s after racing on public roads was banned and remains one of the longest closed circuit courses in the U.S. Informal teambuilding events often center on the lake itself. Kayaking, canoeing, fishing and beachside games are popular options. For a more structured teambuilding session, Stephen Proudman, owner of The Proudman Group, offers outdoor challenges, scavenger hunts and more. For example, Proudman leads teams through TEAMJAM, an experiential learning event that combines competition, collaboration and teamwork skills designed to help organizations change, grow and learn. With a focus on interpersonal relations and problem solving, the activity can be adapted to integrate meeting agenda topics or key issues. Another unique teambuilding exercise is Proudman s True Gravitee. This contemplative golf outing acts as a metaphor for exploring one s relationship to self and others, and one s visions and expectations as a leader. Ideal for executive and team development, these golf outings don t require any golfing experience to be effective. connect The Osthoff Resort osthoffmeetings.com The Proudman Group proudmangroup.com The Siebkens Resort siebkens.com Victorian Village Resort vicvill.com PHOTOS COURTESY OF: LES TENSION PHOTO, ELKHART LAKE TOURISM LIBRARY, ELKHART LAKE S ROAD AMERICA, THE OSTHOFF RESORT. 46 ASPIRE SUMMER 2014

Conferences at Swan Lake Resort Venue Details and Information

Conferences at Swan Lake Resort Venue Details and Information SwanLakeResort.com (800) 935-5616 Whether planning a conference, training session or corporate event, Swan Lake Resort is the ideal destination