Off-site meetings begin to blossom
With so many fine hotels and conference centers in the Hudson Valley, why choose an “out of the box” location for a corporate meeting?
Perhaps because the Orange County Citizens Foundation”™s meeting room and surrounding property, the former estate of artist Kurt Seligmann, offers not just beauty and charm, but Wi-Fi and all the 21st century accoutrements businesses require.
The cachet is the beauty of the estate, the solitude and “get away from it all” feeling the foundation”™s meeting space and grounds offer ”“ at a price even the most panicked of recession-burdened business owners will find enticing: $100 for use of the estate”™s conference room.
The OCCF”™s modern but mellow meeting room offers the corporate necessities in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere where the focus can be on business but gives executives a chance to unwind.
“We don”™t charge a lot for our space, because we”™re a nonprofit and most of the businesses who come here for meetings are other nonprofits with limited budgets,” Executive Director Nancy Proyect said. “If a company wants to have a breakfast or luncheon event, we have a kitchen available for catering. If they want an all-day event, we”™re equipped for that as well.”
Although OCCF”™s meeting space is popular among many small nonprofits with limited budgets, it has also hosted corporate meetings by Orange Regional Medical Center, Elant and SUNY Orange.
Seligmann left his estate to further the arts and culture in Orange County, and the Citizens Foundation works on policies affecting the county and the region. Hosting a corporate event also helps the foundation”™s coffers, one Proyect would like to see more of the region”™s businesses take advantage of.
The estate lends itself to a relaxing atmosphere for a business meeting, where people are more likely to brainstorm rather than watch the clock. “We have a beautiful piece of property and a delightful solitude that”™s within walking distance from the village of Sugar Loaf if people want to get out and do a bit of exploring.”
Sound intriguing? Visit occf-ny.org to learn about the place, the space and the grace of the former artist”™s estate.