Seattle

Seattle Conventions, Trade Shows, Conferences and Meetings
Finding Conventions in Seattle can be quite time consuming. At Conventions.net, we provide you with an easy to use, efficient means of searching for event planning resources for trade shows, conferences, meetings, and conventions all in a manner of seconds. You have the opportunity to choose from a vast selection of convention centers and meeting facilities in Seattle. We developed Conventions.net to make the search for event planning resources easier than ever.
Locating Convention Centers and Trade Shows in Seattle
At one time the most efficient way to locate Convention and Trade Show planning resources in Seattle was to call company after company simply based on their yellow page ad. Now, when you use Conventions.net you can find meeting planning resources in Seattle that meet your specific needs. Not only is this a convenient way to quickly locate convention and conference planning resources, but it is also an excellent resource to find industry suppliers such as hotels, resorts, event speakers, convention centers, and convention visitor bureaus.
We are affiliated with both large nationwide trade show planning companies as well as smaller local convention industry suppliers, which offer trade show and convention planning resources in Seattle. So, if you are looking to plan a meeting, convention, or trade show in Seattle you have nothing to lose, and only time and money to gain by letting Conventions.net help you fill your event planning needs.
Seattle, city (1990 pop. 516,259), seat of King co., W Wash., built on seven hills, between Elliott Bay of Puget Sound and Lake Washington; inc. 1869. Seattle, the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, is the region's commercial, financial, transportation, and industrial hub and a major port of entry, important in both East Asian and Alaskan trade. A center of aircraft manufacturing and shipbuilding since World War II, the city is a major center for the Boeing Company, which employs a significant number of residents, as does the Microsoft Corp. in nearby Redmond . There are also major electronics, banking, insurance, biomedical, food-processing, and lumber industries. Chemicals, machinery, textiles, clothing, metal, paper, and forest goods are among the products manufactured in the city, which has an international airport. Settled in 1851-52, Seattle remained a small lumber town until the coming of the Great Northern Railway in 1893. Despite strikes, anti-Chinese riots, and a fire in 1889, growth was rapid. The city became a boomtown with the 1897 Alaska gold rush and developed into the nation's chief link with Alaska. It grew further with the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (1909), the opening of the Panama Canal (1914), and the completion (1917) of a canal and locks making the city both a saltwater and a freshwater port. Aiding its industrial growth was the presence of coal in the area and the development of hydroelectric power. Long a center of radical labor movements, Seattle was the scene of a major general strike (1919) led by the Industrial Workers of the World. During the 1960s, Seattle's port expanded enormously; it now has numerous major terminals, a 600-boat commercial fishing terminal, and a huge marina for private boats. The city was in 1999 the scene of both peaceful and violent protests against the World Trade Organization , which held a conference there. In 2001 an earthquake did major damage to the city, mainly in the historic Pioneer Square area.
Situated between the majestic Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, with Mt. Rainier to the southeast and Mt. Baker to the northeast, Seattle is accessible to many national and state parks and recreation areas. The city is a cultural center with numerous museums and art galleries, including a Gehry-designed rock museum; a variety of theater and musical organizations; and an arboretum, a zoo, and a modern public library. Its symphony orchestra plays in Benaroya Hall (1998). The city's professional sports teams include the Mariners (American League baseball), Super Sonics (National Basketball League), and Seahawks (National Football League). It is the seat of the Univ. of Washington, Seattle Univ., and Seattle Pacific Univ. Seattle was the site of the 1962 world's fair. That fair's symbola 600-ft (183-m) Space Needle is a skyline landmark. Also remaining from the fair are the Pacific Science Center and a cultural and recreational park; the first U.S. publicly operated monorail connects the park with the downtown.
Anyone who has ever been to Seattle, or the "Emerald City" as it's often called, can tell you that there is vastly more to it than rain, coffee, and plaid flannel. The unique blend of a breathtaking topography and a thriving arts scene offer visitors both culture and nature. Peppered with museums, theaters, music venues, and seaside shopping areas, it can satisfy the most urban of appetites, while its majestic surrounding mountains and oceanfront location, provide settings for outdoor activities. It's true that Seattle days are often gray or misty, but you'll find that the rain doesn't really stand in the way of any activity--whether you've planned to spend the afternoon milling around Pioneer Square or kayaking on the Puget Sound.
The mid-summer months in Washington are truly spectacular. When the sun shines in Seattle it's easy to see why the city ranks among the most beautiful in the country. With grand Mount Rainier off on the horizon and the bay flanking downtown, the city itself is a sight to see. The hip urban areas of Capitol Hill, the U District, and Pioneer Square have made Seattle a trendy city, and its proximity to Mount Olympia, the San Juan islands, and Canada bring visitors and new residents in droves.
Seattle was named after the Native American chief Noah Sealth who, in 1851, befriended white settler David Denny as he set up camp on Alki Beach. When gold was discovered in northwestern Canada, Seattle was the closest American port for fortune seekers, and the city grew dramatically. These days, Microsoft and Boeing reign supreme in the Seattle area, and Starbucks calls this city home.
While nearby colleges, universities, and a cutting-edge music scene contribute to Seattle's hip and youthful flavor, the Washingtonians who have called Seattle home for generations keep the area's rich traditions alive. The region's laid-back pace makes for a relaxing getaway, while the pulse of the city offers urban entertainment of every variety.

Diversity and tradition fill the streets of Seattle, despite the city's relatively brief history. This medium-sized city is booming economically, growing and evolving at a rapid rate, with help from multinational corporations like Microsoft and Starbucks. For many who live here, however, the blue skies, abundant water and picturesque mountain ranges are what keep them firmly planted in this beautiful city.

Alki Beach
About as close as Seattle gets to California, this sandy beach in west Seattle draws swarms of walkers, joggers, bikers, skaters, scuba divers and volleyball players. Cafes and restaurants such as Salty's on Alki line the main street, ready to nourish those who've played at the beach all day. Alki Beach, directly across Elliott Bay from downtown, is the spot where the first European settlers camped in the winter of 1851 before they moved to the more sheltered area that is now downtown.

Ballard, Scandinavian Hub of Seattle
Affectionately known for slow drivers and the lilting accents of its many residents of Scandinavian descent, this area was first settled by immigrant Nordic fishermen and mill workers. Visit the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks to watch boats travel from salt water to freshwater, then take a trip to Golden Gardens Park to watch the sunset. Popular restaurants in the area include Ray's Boathouse and Bad Albert's Tap & Grill. Stop by Fisherman's Terminal for a look at the boats that keep the fishing industry thriving.

Capitol Hill
Yes, this Washington has one too and its mix of eclectic shops, art-house theaters, wonderful restaurants and interesting people make it one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Seattle. Some of the city's most historic houses are located here, as is the renowned Seattle Asian Art Museum and Volunteer Park. Seattle University and Cornish College of the Arts also grace this hill. A popular Capitol Hill restaurant is 611 Supreme. To catch a movie, check out Harvard Exit Theatre.

Fremont
Hip and eclectic, Fremont is always a fun place to go. The sign saying "Welcome to the Center of the Universe" is the first clue you've arrived. Oddities like a car-eating troll, a smoking rocket and a bronzed Vladimir Lenin statue (purchased for $150,000) will leave you laughing while the Saturday gallery walks and the Fremont Sunday Market will have you browsing. Say hello to the group waiting for a bus, but don't expect an answer—they're life-sized statues, often dressed in celebration of someone's birthday or another grand event.

Madison Park
Quaint shops, restaurants and cafes fill this upper-crust neighborhood on the shores of Lake Washington. Everyone seems to know each other at restaurants like Madison Park Café, and everyone appears to going someplace important. Walk down the street to the beach, take in the beautiful view of the Eastside, and dream about owning a waterfront villa.

International District
Pungent aromas and delectable dishes emit from restaurants like Bush Garden and Sea Garden in this primarily Asian neighborhood. Specialty shops filled with unusual treasures line the streets. The district is home to the inner-city oasis Hing Hay Park, complete with a pagoda and the Wing Luke Asian Museum.

Kirkland
Across Lake Washington from Seattle lies the "Monterey of the Northwest," so called for its posh art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and waterfront. The waterfront Yarrow Bay Grill is a popular stop for fashionable lunches and dinners. While close to the city, Kirkland manages to maintain its small-town atmosphere, which adds to its appeal.

Pike Place Market
This is the heart of Seattle and the number one tourist site in the area, attracting frenzied crowds of visitors and locals. The oldest continually operating farmer's market in the country, Pike Place features fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, and arts and crafts as far as the eye can see. Abundant restaurants include Maximilien in the Market. Shops offer goods from around the world. Bring some change as there are always street musicians singing for their supper.

Pioneer Square
This is Seattle's oldest neighborhood and where the term "Skid Row" originated. Lumberjacks skidded logs down "Skid Road," now Yesler Street, to a mill at the bottom of the hill. Saloons and brothels lined the street, and the term soon took on its derogatory connotation locally and nationwide. The Underground Tour explores the now underground storefronts of the original neighborhood. Today the neighborhood is filled with art galleries, small shops, bookstores, including Elliott Bay Book Co., and restaurants like the elegant Il Terrazzo Carmine. At night the square comes to life. Popular nightspots include Central Saloon, one of Seattle's oldest bars. Many clubs feature live music, and a group of bars and clubs in the area offers admittance to each for a single cover charge.

Queen Anne Hill
A combination of a quiet hilltop neighborhood and a young trendy hot spot, Queen Anne has popular restaurants like Peso's Taco Lounge as well as coffee shops and nightspots like the trendy Tini Bigs. The view of the city from the west slope is incredible, especially from Kerry Park, which offers Seattle's most photographed view.

Redmond
Thriving due to corporate residents like Microsoft and Nintendo, Redmond has an unlikely yet appealing combination of countryside and technology. The software industry brings money here and with it good shopping at Redmond Town Center. Cyclists appreciate the velodrome at Marymoor Park and the Lake Sammamish Trail (for those of us too slow for the velodrome).

Seattle Center
Part amusement park, part festival grounds, the center hosts The Bite of Seattle, Bumbershoot and many other popular festivals. Permanent fixtures of this 74-acre park include the Seattle Opera, Intiman Theater, Paul Allen's Experience Music Project, the Pacific Science Center and the Space Needle.

University District
This area is home to the University of Washington, known to locals as "U-Dub." The park-like 700-acre campus is perfect for a midday stroll. Boats filled with die-hard Husky fans fight for space around the waterfront stadium on game days. Low-priced restaurants and pubs like Flowers line the "Ave" (University Avenue), and stylish young people fill the streets. The University Bookstore anchors a thriving shopping scene.

Waterfront
Elliott Bay, part of Puget Sound, laps against Seattle's waterfront. On summer days visitors pack the area to enjoy the fresh air, quaint shops and many seafood restaurants, which include Elliott's Oyster House, Anthony's Pier 66, Fisherman's Restaurant and Ivar's. Catch a ferry to Bremerton or Bainbridge Island, or take a water tour to Blake Island's Tillicum Village for a salmon dinner and Native American dance show.