Thoughts about venues:
For events I have hosted and facilitated, fees have been from free to $10,000. I try to find the sweet spot for balance between value and impact. Too cheap screams "you are unimportant" and too expensive might limit opportunities to do more.
Hotels are used when necessary but good when on the road in unfamiliar territory.
Restaurants are noisy. They require food and are not designed well for meetings or events. They work well for those in the inner circle.
Business centers are ok – and food can be catered in. Remember they are designed for meeting/workshops, not for providing food.
Memberships offer something special and may offer lower cost or free meeting rooms.
Seattle WTC, Tacoma WTC, Master Builder’s Assoc. Tacoma Chamber, --- these outstanding organizations with venue options.
Schools and churches offer great venues but not typically first choice for business events.
if you want a room to enhance the audience experience, I STRONGLY recommend that you think: “Theatre”,
Would $15/head be acceptable? (Assuming attendance of 50 to 100)
Below are venues and rooms for events or presentations you might find interesting:
Svea Room - Swedish Cultural Center - $200-$800
http://swedishclubnw.org/Venues/rates.htm
includes parking
Central Cinema - $500 range
http://central-cinema.com/rentals/
1411 21st Avenue
Seattle WA 98122
206-328-3230
Washington Hall - $250
http://www.washingtonhall.org/facility-rentals/rental-policies/public-rental-rates/
The Lodge Room features an open floorplan with rustic hardwood floors, and is wheelchair accessible. 138-capacity, 2,088 sq ft; portable/flexible seating
Thelma Dewitty Theater - $55/hr
http://www.youngstownarts.org/thelma-dewitty-theatre/
4408 Delridge Way SW
Seattle, WA 98107
206-935-2999
Grand Illusion Cinema - $50/hr
http://www.grandillusioncinema.org/pages/rental.html
1403 NE 50th St.
Seattle, WA 98105
206.523.3935
West of Lenin – (Interesting and near you, though not 1st choice)
http://www.westoflenin.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31:renter-s-faq&catid=10&Itemid=136
If you decide you want to hold an event which also includes donations, you may not want to have an extravagant event venue --- and yet show consideration and respect to those who attend.
If you prefer not to go with this flavor and prefer a more business setting, then you may think about memberships. Not listed are Bell Harbor Club, Bellevue Club and many of the golf clubs (aka 'country club') Or you may consider Regus. I find them to be fine but the size of the rooms are small.
To go much bigger and more expensive... convention centers, larger theaters and even movie theaters offer rooms.
NEED SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
If these are not quite what you have in mind, check out the free (or low cost) meeting rooms in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and surrounding areas.
Note About FREE Meeting or Event Rooms:
They are available. Restaurants are "free" with a purchase of food. I find EVERY free meeting room to be less than impressive. They work fine for a team where everyone is familiar with each other.
Special Plug:
On the east side, Richard Gabel has great meeting and event rooms at Meadow Creek Professional Center. Richard and his team are one of the best I have ever worked with.
