About Baltimore
Baltimore is an American city with a rich history and culture, blended with modern development. Located in Maryland on the east coast, Baltimore is the largest city in the state and home to over 600,000 people. The city's diverse cultural heritage and colorful neighborhoods make it a vibrant and unique place to explore.
As well as being known for its iconic landmarks, such as the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry, and the Inner Harbor, Baltimore is becoming increasingly popular with production companies looking to create content in unique and exciting locations. The city also boasts many creative and inspiring meeting spaces ideal for organizing events such as conferences, workshops, film screenings, or festivals.
Most of these venues have ample space for both indoor and outdoor activities, making them perfect for any occasion. Additionally, many of these spaces are centrally located within walking distance of downtown attractions or public transportation hubs. With its vibrant culture and a rich history combined with modern developments like creative meeting spaces, Baltimore is quickly becoming a leading destination for content creation and innovation.
Creative Meeting Options in Baltimore
- A/V Equipment Rentals
Renting AV equipment is a great way to have all the tools you need for your meeting without having to worry about storage or transport. You can find a company that will deliver and set up the equipment for you, so all you have to do is show up and start presenting.
- Food and Drinks
There are lots of great restaurants in Baltimore, and many of them offer catering services. You can also order food delivery directly to your meeting space. And don't forget the coffee! Several local coffee shops can provide coffee and tea for your meeting.
- Furniture Rentals
A well-furnished environment helps everyone feel comfortable and creative. Most companies rent out furniture for events, so this can be a great option if you want to customize the meeting space.
Creative Meeting Vendors in Baltimore
- Media Support Services
Media Support Services is a professional audio-visual rental company that has been serving Greater Baltimore, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia since 1996. The company offers a wide range of live event AV services, including general session setups, convention exhibits, outdoor movie nights, and more. It also provides delivery, setup, and on-site technical support services for all live event A/V rentals.
- Wight Tea Company
The Wight Tea Company strives to give tea lovers an unforgettable experience through its wide range of loose-leaf tea blends, specialty drinks, and tea-infused cocktails. The company was created by siblings Brittany and Joseph Wight in 2016. Using only the finest ingredients, each of their blends is carefully crafted to produce a truly unique flavor. In addition to its incredible tea selection, Wight Tea Company also offers a wide variety of tea accessories, making it easy for anyone to make great tea.
- Diablo Doughnuts
Diablo Doughnuts is an artisan bakery that uses local ingredients to make classic doughnuts with a unique twist. Michael Rolsan, the shop's founder and a former tattoo artist, guarantees creative flavors. Whether you're looking for something classic or something unique, Diablo Doughnuts have got you covered. From corporate gatherings to birthday parties, its delicious doughnuts are bound to make your event a hit.
Pros and Cons of creative meeting spaces in Baltimore
Creative meeting spaces offer many advantages in providing a unique atmosphere, more accessibility, and an engaging environment. However, they also come with several drawbacks that can be hard to manage. Here's a snapshot of both sides to help inform your decision-making process when selecting conference rooms for upcoming events:
Advantages
- Baltimore has a wide variety of meeting spaces, from historic buildings to modern facilities, providing plenty of options for organizers to choose from depending on the atmosphere they want for their meetings.
- The city’s proximity to Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York makes it an ideal location for attendees from out of town.
- Rental fees often include audio-visual equipment and Wi-Fi access, saving time and energy when setting up the day of the event.
Disadvantages
- Traffic in Baltimore can be difficult at certain times, causing delays for attendees who might be traveling from out of town.
- The humidity in the summer months could make it difficult to keep guests cool in some venues without air conditioning or outdoor areas where people can move freely during breaks between sessions.
- Parking is also limited in some neighborhoods, making it difficult for attendees who do not live in the city or do not wish to take public transportation if they are attending an event away from downtown Baltimore.
Tips on How to Organize Creative Meetings in Baltimore
If you want to ensure your next creative meeting is a success, the space where it’s held can be just as important as what's on the agenda. An environment that promotes collaboration and openness tends to bring out people’s best ideas. To help make sure your creative gathering goes off without a hitch, here are some helpful tips for preparing your meeting area:
- Research the area: Before organizing a creative meeting space, research where you plan to hold it. Look into local laws and zoning restrictions that may impact your meeting, as well as other resources like transportation options, nearby attractions that could be useful for participants, and any other relevant information.
- Establish a budget: Setting up a creative meeting space will require some financial investments – from renting out venues to buying supplies – so it’s important to figure out your budget before setting up your event. Prioritize where you want your money spent by deciding what kind of features are most important (e.g., conference tables & chairs vs decorations) and then explore vendors who match within that budget range before making any commitments.
- Choose appropriate décor: When setting up a creative space, choose décor that encourages creativity and collaboration while also making it comfortable for attendees. Bright colors, cozy furniture, and art pieces can help bring life to the room and create inspiring visual cues. Investing in plants can help bring in nature’s energy and make the room more inviting.
- Establish rules of conduct: To ensure everyone feels respected during meetings in your space, establish some ground rules before beginning the activities. This can include maintaining respect between participants by avoiding personal attacks or gossiping about others, refraining from talking over others, managing time effectively, and refraining from engaging in disruptive behavior. Other rules could include encouraging people to speak up freely, providing feedback respectfully, being open-minded towards different ideas, respecting diversity among participants, being mindful of cultural sensitivities, and ensuring safety practices are followed at all times.
- Provide necessary resources: Ensure all the required materials are provided ahead of time so that attendees do not need to search them out. At the same time, attending sessions at your space includes things like pens/pencils/markers/notepads/projectors/screens, etc., depending on the type of activity at your event. It’s also vital to ensure these items are easily accessible throughout the event so participants don’t waste time trying to find them when needed.
Famous Locations in Baltimore
- National Aquarium
The National Aquarium is one of the premier tourist destinations in Baltimore, Maryland. Each year, the aquarium sees nearly 1.5 million visitors, making it one of the busiest attractions in the state. The 17,000 animals and fish are scattered throughout several distinct exhibits, each with its own unique theme. The tropical rainforest is a must-see, as is the multi-level "Atlantic Coral Reef." Visitors can also get an up-close look at sharks in the open ocean tank or learn about dolphins in the "Dolphin Discovery" exhibit. For those who want a truly immersive experience, there are 4-D movies and behind-the-scenes tours available for an additional cost.
- Carroll Park
Carroll Park, located in southwest Baltimore, is a 117-acre oasis offering plenty of fun amenities and activities for city residents. Amongst the park grounds, you'll find a playground, an outdoor skating rink, athletic fields, and even a nine-hole golf course. Additionally, Carroll Park houses one of the oldest Federal-style mansions in all of Baltimore City-- open to the public for tours! Carroll Park not only provides a stunning space for residents to enjoy all year round but also hosts a German festival annually. This festive event includes music and performances, food and drinks vendors as well as crafts kiosks - giving Baltimoreans the opportunity to come together and celebrate German culture. There truly is something for everyone at Carroll Park!
- Harbor East
Harbor East is one of Baltimore's newest and most rapidly developing neighborhoods. Located between Fell's Point and the Inner Harbor, the area is home to a number of high-end shops, restaurants, hotels, and museums. The Four Seasons Baltimore hotel, for example, has an excellent rooftop bar. The Baltimore Civil War Museum at President Street Station will be of interest to history buffs. The museum investigates the part that the city played in the Civil War as well as its involvement with the Underground Railroad.