Kalahari Resorts Unveils the 'NIA Center'
Ohio's Largest Independently-Owned Conference/Event Facility
SANDUSKY, OH, September 19, 2006. With the addition of a $19 million conference and events center, Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio has become the premier stand-alone hotel and meetings facility in the region. Filling a significant void in combining event space and accommodations, Kalahari's "NIA Center" is now the only facility in the region to provide an "under one roof" conference experience that includes 95,000 sq. ft. of versatile function space, 596 attached guest rooms (including 133 executive- style suites), on-site restaurants, shops, waterparks and spa.
Guests of the NIA Center will discover varying influences of NIA -- a Swahili word meaning purpose or goal. "As an independently-owned facility, we were able to think outside the box and create a distinctive meetings philosophy, design and aesthetic plan," says Todd Nelson, president and owner of Kalahari Resorts, which opened its popular waterpark resort in Sandusky in May 2005. "Our goal in creating the NIA Center was to help meeting and event planners provide a unique, convenient and comfortable event experience."
Kalahari estimates that the centrally located NIA Center will welcome more than 1,500 groups annually from a number of major metropolitan areas throughout Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York and Canada.
Designed to incorporate future expansion, the property features 25 total meeting rooms, including a 17,200 sq. ft. grand ballroom which is divisible by eight, two 3,500 sq. ft. junior ballrooms, four unique African hut-inspired meeting rooms and an executive conference center.
"Technology and other advancements have changed the way we communicate, but nothing replaces the power of a face-to-face meeting," adds Nelson. "From our name NIA to our comfortable ballroom chairs, we have taken great measures to ensure purposeful events."
Although Kalahari has become known for its indoor waterpark innovations and its leisure travel offerings in Ohio, the company has significant experience in the conference and event business as it owns and operates a similar waterpark/resort/conference destination in Wisconsin Dells, WI. According to Nelson, based on the company's experience in Wisconsin Dells, the company strikes the right balance to ensure that "corporate groups that come to Kalahari to conduct meetings never have to come into contact with inner tubes and swimsuits."
For event planners encouraging family getaway as part of the meeting experience, the African-themed Kalahari -- home to one of the nation's largest indoor waterparks, a newly renovated outdoor waterpark, indoor play areas and even indoor mini golf -- is an ideal venue.
Kalahari's NIA Center was designed by Poggemeyer Design Group of Bowling Green, OH and managed by general contractor Rudolph/Libbe of Walbridge, OH.
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