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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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...

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.