Top 5 Reasons to Meet in North Louisiana
While we wish you could literally bottle up an amazing experience meeting in Northern Louisiana, the team at Discover Monroe-West Monroe can do the next best thing.
outside the lines
You see, one of the more interesting facts about the destination is that Coca-Cola’s famed bottling days can be traced back here. These days, you and your group can grab a bottle of Coke to drink for a mere nickel at The Biedenharn Museum & Gardens.
It makes sense—and feels like it costs cents—to conduct meetings, conventions, sporting events and more here. The mix of nostalgia, customer service, modern amenities and new developments will leave as good a taste in your mouth as that glass bottle of Coke.
A gathering in Monroe-West Monroe, located ideally along Interstate 20 in the center of Northern Louisiana, is unlike any you could plan elsewhere. Our hospitality is second to none; our team building activities are unique; and our cuisine, well, let’s just say you are in for a real treat (or two or three or more, but who’s counting).
Want to know the best part? We’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of the destination’s potential. Discover Monroe-West Monroe just brought aboard Claire Stapp as the new sales and event developer. A graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Stapp loves this region and is passionate about your group feeling the same way by the time an event calls it a day.
That hometown pride shines through within this community. Attendees can’t help but fall in love with Monroe-West Monroe. Here are just a few of the reasons your next meeting or event in Northern Louisiana will be one that no one will forget.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_009-copy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=26b04bd6abdd4b4a5ecdfa30320a8412 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_009-copy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4626852010e6b50148c12a48bf9b0652 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_009-copy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=46329bd356335528cdb15abda8bafa6f 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_009-copy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=282156ca1550ee90e249c63550c8eec8 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_009-copy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=7e7eb02c3832dfaee21b7b9300a920cb 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_009-copy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=294e695224f9235562afd97373080b59 1440w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_009-copy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=ea1f213a3be6739826c802d6b7a8ec56 1920w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_009-copy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=93dbd5f6d9ddfe35361335d36551c9f0 2560w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_009-copy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=64978eece732e92874236b81b6daa5b8 3000w)
Meeting Facilities
There are more than 2,000 hotel rooms in our destination, offering you plenty of choices and space for your meeting. That’s just the start, as there are exceptional facilities to host all sizes of gatherings. Three highlights include:
Monroe Civic Center Complex is the largest venue in Northeast Louisiana. A short drive from area hotels, the 31-acre campus regularly hosts trade shows, conventions and other events. The multipurpose facility includes:
- Monroe Convention Center, with 22,000 square feet of space for six large rooms or up to 15 intimate breakout rooms.
- The 14,000-sq.-ft. Conference Hall, with a Banquet Hall that can be divided into six sections
- Monroe Civic Center Arena, which holds 200 booths and 7,600 seated attendees in its 46,025 square feet of exhibit space.
- WL Jack Howard Theater, including a 73-by-46-foot stage and seating for more than 2,200.
West Monroe Convention Center houses three conference halls that fit up 1,000 attendees. Two elegant dining rooms, two smaller meeting rooms, an executive boardroom and top-flight audiovisual equipment are among the amenities.
Bayou Pointe Event Center has myriad banquet halls and event spaces with stunning views along the bayou. The main ballroom fits 450 for a banquet, 700 in theater-style setting and 750 for a reception.
![Two men stand in front of a boat](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/2022_Boat_Show-expo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=125bdbe9cbac26720a4244e8029aece2 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/2022_Boat_Show-expo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8879d2216e314f1d5a4e73193de4f702 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/2022_Boat_Show-expo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=03c966045bf857aacf5eec6bd14c62af 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/2022_Boat_Show-expo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=6919a783a270986c764d644a34167484 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/2022_Boat_Show-expo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=c15ebdc5682a87c94f6e7a2c875a1fc0 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/2022_Boat_Show-expo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=1f9b85fc2c33e9ca6754bfc5ba307188 1440w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/2022_Boat_Show-expo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=adbf05b51b1fa6d29825cd66b4a75807 1920w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/2022_Boat_Show-expo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=cb394ed3f947b4a93ab872d490d3e215 2560w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/2022_Boat_Show-expo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=c5d4741585fd62bb502127f3921ff496 3840w)
Unique Venues
Beyond traditional meeting spaces are sites that showcase Monroe-West Monroe’s culture and charm. If you are looking to offer an unforgettable experience, consider these excellent choices:
Landry Vineyards is popular for outdoor concerts, and it’s easy to see why. The family-owned and -operated venue is situated in West Monroe’s rolling hills. Book a tour or tasting of the 20 wines produced on-site.
Biedenharn Museum & Gardens celebrates a different kind of drink: Coca-Cola. Attendees can get a taste of how Coke was bottled in its early days, touring artifacts and original equipment, as well as the elegant home of Joseph Biedenharn, the first bottler of Coca-Cola. A 5-cent vending machine dispenses the best bottle of Coke you’ve tasted in years. Planners will want to take advantage of the beautiful gardens featuring terraces, statues and year-round blooms. An on-site Bible Museum includes a Gutenberg leaf.
Surge Entertainment Center, co-owned by legendary NFL quarterback Drew Brees, kicks up the action a few notches. Plan an after-hours party here, where attendees can play laser tag, go bowling, navigate a ropes and ninja course, or more. There’s even an arcade!
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_003-2smaller-smaller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=500b57972aed66a2ef31503eda707a9d 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_003-2smaller-smaller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=de039540c261d53362107fcebe0b2795 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_003-2smaller-smaller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=c3cb92cc1a8fb9958a23313f6f1c3e8d 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_003-2smaller-smaller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=64af2bbcd45c96ff0d1194ed8ec27c05 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_003-2smaller-smaller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d4e38dcec541a06f40209c8d5d926e67 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_003-2smaller-smaller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=77b49aa6f9e1030e106649b0646d1bf2 1440w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_003-2smaller-smaller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=18cd6e67f7c26ada0bf13b775826e0a6 1920w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/200611_Biedenharn-Museum_003-2smaller-smaller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=cec917875990b6948fe4417f1efe2140 2400w)
Slam dunk
Sports planners should get the West Monroe Sports and Events on their radar. This 110,000 square foot venue features eight basketball courts along with a full size kitchen, concessions on dual levels, and team meeting rooms or multipurpose areas.
Authentic Flavor
You’re in luck if you like Cajun food in Monroe-West Monroe. If you don’t like the spicy stuff, you are still in luck. Organizing group dinners is a piece of cake here with more than 100 locally owned restaurants to choose from. There’s our famed poboys, crawfish, catfish and other Louisiana staples. But we also have barbecue, Asian, Italian and Indian cuisine as well. Your attendees won’t leave hungry, that’s for sure!
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Seafood-Nachos2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=54c0668b1d97fb75ea36b70639a69189 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Seafood-Nachos2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=9b09ba95959ba1f78ffeed046c7d5016 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Seafood-Nachos2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=2ffa29d5fa5d6f67237f7a95d6207ef0 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Seafood-Nachos2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=acdca529986e469e2b522e1e406169b2 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Seafood-Nachos2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=a187ba5583ef94ded989d6cd39b43658 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Seafood-Nachos2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=1f4fa6764569d7de0356505ee33127a0 1440w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Seafood-Nachos2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=1a724dfddb4de74f288fd9590950de14 1920w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Seafood-Nachos2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=3d35654c05a1d39c6b847b569e74971d 2560w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Seafood-Nachos2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=03730bca95a34f26ff855cc6363ca25e 3840w)
Full Service
The Discover Monroe-West Monroe team is here to assist planners every step of the way. We offer many personalized services, including:
- Site visits
- Hotel leads
- Promotional push to boost attendance
- Publicity opportunities
- Name badge creation and welcome packets
- And more...
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Sales-Team-Headshots-Graphic.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e892c8343f5e8518418578d4a55200fc 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Sales-Team-Headshots-Graphic.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d39ccfe00db8e14091c1c1f22d0f94eb 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Sales-Team-Headshots-Graphic.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ddfe05e86d53260ab0368f16350d9e33 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Sales-Team-Headshots-Graphic.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=5e164f2b5f33855bfe522b8adbb8c95c 800w)
Discover
Experience the difference Monroe-West Monroe offers meetings, conventions and other events. Attendees will feel right at home. The mix of meeting facilities, team activities and cuisine is a combination few can resist. And the best part: You can wash it all down with a cool bottle of Coke.