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Convention, exhibition center
nears completion in
Lafayette
Facility to house numerous
types of people, needs
By Hannah Brooks
Staff
Writer
Two thousand people will soon be able to use Cumberland
Place's 26,562 square foot facility, Graham Hall.
The hall is a small part of what the third largest
convention-type center in Indiana, outside of Indianapolis, will have
to offer Lafayette. The hall, located at 1780 Cumberland Avenue, is
currently under construction.
Besides having the fastest Internet access available,
sound and lighting, an audio/visual department will be available to
groups using the hall. The exhibition center will offer on-site catering,
dining options and more.
Cumberland Place, which is located behind University
Inn in West Lafayette, is an exhibition center. It is not considered
to be a convention center because it is "incredibly flexible," said
Lara Christenson, event manager.
The building is flexible, she said, because of
the wide ability of the center and because of the variety of groups
that will be eligible to use it.
Graham Hall, when filled to capacity, can hold
3,000 people, but can be divided into thirds and halves to serve fewer
people.
Cumberland Place would allow organizations to bring
in giant exhibits or schedule a dozen concurrent sessions. There are
up to nine smaller rooms available for use as well.
Shows are currently being booked for events including
association conferences, corporate meetings, large banquets, car shows
and even boxing matches.
According to Christenson, if a show is booked for
two consecutive days, a complimentary office will be included that will
have fax, phone and Internet access in it.
A few other features that are not frequently thought
of are 14-foot high roll up doors to fit semis inside, if needed. The
ceilings will be 24 feet high and the walls will be finished. The floor
will be sealed, but unfinished with the option of convention carpet
that can be used as needed.
"It's going to be a great addition to Purdue and
the Greater Lafayette area," said Susan Foresman, general manager of
Cumberland Place.
Cumberland Place Exhibition Center is owned and
operated by the same management group as University Inn, Murphy Reader.
Foresman said that the Exhibition Center is already
booked with functions up until 2005.
Anyone interested in booking a show at Cumberland
Place may contact Jeff Weaver, account executive, at (765) 463-0542.
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Groups
dedicate new home built for Lafayette resident
Convention,
exhibition center nears completion in Lafayette
CITY DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111
ext. 250
City editor:
Heather Mangold
To
send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org
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