Best Conference Centers in Albany

Albany’s Best Conference Centers

We have put together a list of 5 of the best conference centers and retreat venues in the Albany area. The Capital Region is fortunate to have many incredible venues for groups of all sizes, no matter what the occasion. We have scoured the internet to find 5 venues that stand apart from the others because of their facilities, their location or both. They are all totally unique and have years of experience delivering top quality events and experiences.

Whether you are planning a high school retreat, corporate getaway or a team-building weekend, we hope that you will take inspiration from the locations below and get ideas about how to plan your next event.

Hire An Entire Summer Camp - Camp Schodack

Camp Schodack is a beautiful countryside venue in Nassau, New York. This retreat was founded in 1957 and has been family owned and operated for four generations. It’s rich history and beautiful landscape make Camp Schodack a perfect venue for couples looking for privacy and elegance on their wedding day. There are over 40 acres of open fields and 60 acres of private forest for you to take advantage of. This secluded getaway offers spacious open fields as well as wooded trails to help you escape the noise of the city. The retreat also offers an outdoor amphitheater with seating for up to 500 guests.

Catering with Camp Schodack offers buffet options, barbecue, food carts, and plated meals for every style wedding. Overnight accommodations are also available through Camp Schodack. You can host your retreat at Camp Schodack, and celebrate the whole weekend through in their luxury cabins for the whole family. The retreat can accommodate up to 500 guests in a mix of family and couple’s cabins. All cabins have master bathrooms and showers. If you choose to stay for the weekend at Camp Schodack, you and your guests will have access to sports facilities and activities. The retreat as multiple heated swimming pools, sports courts and fields, a go-kart track, and private hiking trails to enjoy.

Find out more: https://berkshireretreatcenter.com/

Pick The Performing Arts Center - The Egg

“The Egg” itself is owned by the State of New York and managed by the not-for-profit Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation. This entity was established to present quality performances, accessible to all citizens of New York State, highlighting the unique and extraordinary artists from New York State, across the country, and around the globe. Through partnerships and collaborations, the Corporation presents performances, spotlights emerging artists, fosters relationships with resident companies, and enhances activities in cultural and arts education.

The theatres and lounges at The Egg are available to rent for performances and related activities as well as receptions, educational and corporate events. Pick between a number of different theaters and conference rooms that you can make use of, whether it is fifteen comfortable tiered seating rows wrap around a dual hydraulic lift stage in the Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre, or the more intimate Lewis A. Swyer Theatre which seats a maximum of 450 in only nine rows, including six seats in the special needs section. Every seat offers exceptional sightlines and comfort, and the small stage is perfect for all performance types. There are also lounges, perfect for smaller gatherings and cocktail parties

Find out more: http://www.theegg.org/

Albany’s Best Hotel - The Desmond

If you are planning meetings or a conference in the Albany area, The Desmond offers over 28,000 square feet of flexible space throughout our facility for groups of all sizes. Hold a meeting for 10 in one of our Executive Meeting Suites, conference with thousands in our Town Hall amphitheater, or present your next business proposal in High Street Conference Center. Our indoor courtyards are the perfect location for trade shows and exhibits, with 30′ and 36′ high ceilings and large atrium skylights in an open setting with natural light.

Our unique Albany hotel features 322 non-smoking guest room and suite options, including king-size four-poster beds, spiral staircase duplexes, suites with private entrances and patios, and ADA accessible rooms.  We combine rich Americana design and charm with modern amenities for the seasoned business traveler.  Modeled after a colonial village square, our two indoor courtyards feature 30′ and 36′ high ceilings with large atrium skylights, mock storefronts, a koi pond, beautiful fountains, and guest room balconies that overlook year-round landscaping.  Exceptional dining is available in Simpson’s restaurant and in our English pub The Tavern.

Find out more: https://www.desmondhotelsalbany.com/

Stay In Town - The Capital Center

Located in the heart of downtown Albany, the Albany Capital Center is within walking distance of restaurants, hotels, shops, art galleries, night clubs, museums and more! Operated by ASM Global, the Albany Capital Center is a beautiful glass structure that can accommodate 10 to 5,000 people. Housing 22,500 square feet of ballroom/exhibit space, 6 meeting rooms with 9,200 square feet of space, and 13,500 square feet of pre-function space. The Albany Capital Center provides all of the top-notch amenities needed for your successful meeting or event. 

The Albany Capital Center is directly connected to the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, The Egg Performing Arts Center, and the Times Union Center arena via an enclosed walkway. Together, these spaces create the Capital Complex, the largest meeting space in Upstate New York at more than 159,000 square feet.

Find out more: http://albanycapitalcenter.com/

Escape To The Countryside - Menla Center

With its magical valley setting deep in the Catskills and just two hours from NYC, Menla is uniquely suited to host your group retreat or conference. Able to host residential groups of up to 108 individuals across a wide range of comfortable accommodations from deluxe private rooms to small group cabins, our spacious 325-acre facility also offers supplemental dorm-style options & numerous camping sites. Enjoy delicious healthy cuisine and the caring support you need from our production team.

Facilities include the biggest conference space in the Catskills, spacious yoga studio, meditation sanctuary, a world-class destination spa, hiking trails, swimming pool, fitness room, tennis courts, fire pits, and sweat lodge. Menla’s tailored nature experiences, private classes, and optional retreat add-ons let you add a new dimension to your offerings by combining elements that are just the right fit for your group retreat. Set off on a range of guided treks and learn about our flora & fauna, add a meditation, yoga or sound healing session lead by local experts, or experience the magic of a traditional sweat lodge or a bonfire beneath the stars.

Find out more: https://menla.us/

5 Unique Conference Centers in New York

Check out our list of 5 of the most unique conference centers in New York and the North East

If you are looking for a conference center to hold your next event, then take a look through our 5 incredible options for locations to hire in New York and the North East of the US. We have varied our range to include Conference and Retreat Centers in a number of locations with offerings near lakes, in the woods, cities, farms and more.

Whatever the aim of your event, we think that you’ll find a location here that will suit your needs or at the very least, inspire you.

The one in the countryside…Camp Schodack

Why get a hotel or a conference center for three hours when you could book your own private resort for the whole weekend? Bring the family, friends, colleagues and whoever else wants to enjoy an unforgettable experience! Schodack is the ultimate corporate get away accommodating up to 500 guests. Whether you want to spend your time relaxing with colleagues by the pool, using our extensive indoor spaces for planning and discussions or perhaps you are looking to challenge your group to get the most from themselves through our adventure course, go-kart track or any of the amazing activities we have available.

Find out more here: https://berkshireretreatcenter.com/

The one in the city…Convene at One boston place

Convene at One Boston Place is the newest on-demand meeting, event, and conference space in the heart of Boston's Financial District. This state-of-the-art venue has a capacity for up to 175 guests, including a private outdoor terrace and six meeting rooms - perfect for hosting board meeting, town halls, team offsites, trainings, and corporate receptions. Convene provides a dedicated meeting planning team, an on-site Executive Chef who prepares seasonal menus for your attendees, and unlimited access to Nourish, which is our fully-stocked snack and refreshment stations.

Find out more here: https://convene.com/location/one-boston-place/

The one by a lake...Fort william henry

The Fort William Henry offers upscale lodging accommodations with the perfect mix of historical elegance and today’s conveniences. From the traditional grace of the Grand Hotel to the comfort of the Premium East and Standard West rooms, all of our accommodations enjoy access to our extensive amenities, including an indoor pool with sauna and Jacuzzi, Olympic-size outdoor pool,  and three restaurants all on resort grounds.

Find out more here: https://www.fortwilliamhenry.com/

The one on a farm…Eddy farm

We are committed to excellence in providing programs and facilities for worship, teaching, counseling, banquets, conferences, retreats, and physical activities–all with a focus on the Bible as our standard of living.

Find out more here: http://eddyfarm.sandbox.nikijones.com/

The one in with a water park…Hope lake lodge

We look forward to welcoming you on your next vacation to Hope Lake Lodge Resort and Conference Center in Upstate New York, a first class destination situated on more than 1,600 acres of forests and hills in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of New York state. Getting to Hope Lake Lodge is easier than you think. Convenient to Interstate-81, Hope Lake Lodge is located halfway between Binghamton and Syracuse near Ithaca, New York. Our central location is just a short drive from many metro areas like NYC, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Toronto, Rochester and Buffalo.

Find out more here: https://hopelakelodge.com/