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Why your colleagues will be green with envy

Your colleagues will be green with envy. And by green, we mean in a good way.

Kankakee County has quickly become a destination that prioritizes green integrity on the inside of our meeting spaces just as much as on the outside.

Located along I-57 just an hour south of Chicago in the heart of the Kankakee River Valley, we are a convenient location for your guests and can provide a wow factor experience while you're here … and without the traffic.

So what does green have to do with it? Good question.

Green means savings with economical options for housing and site selectors. Green means going off the grid in the 4,000-acres of state park, 57 miles of winding river, lush farmland and pristine golf courses.

Green means facilities with a commitment to innovative sustainable techniques or technologies. And most importantly, green means - go!

Step 1

You need a place to meet. Kankakee County provides a variety of venue options for all your meeting needs. Need a one-stop shop for accommodations and meeting space?

The Quality Inn & Suites is right up the street in Bradley and boasts 12,000 square feet of newly-renovated meeting space, 85 guest rooms, indoor pool and on-site bar and grill. Your guests will be happy from sun up to sun down.

Looking to host your meeting at an environmentally sustainable location? The Advanced Technology Education Center at Kankakee Community College (KCC) boasts a range of alternative energy sources to power learning on-site, including wind-generated power, photovoltaic "green" roofs, unique ice storage HVAC systems and geothermal and solar thermal energy.

Located on the Kankakee River, the college can provide a beautiful backdrop for 10 to 400 guests.

In addition, their two-story, 18,353-square-foot North Extension Center was the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certified building in Kankakee County.

Is a more traditional venue up your alley?

Consider Chalfant Hall or the Betty and Kenneth Hawkins Centennial Chapel, a 3,000-seat facility featuring a world-class Ruffatti pipe organ, on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University (ONU).

From classroom to auditorium, ONU provides flexible space for groups from eight to 3,000. And did we mention they're home to the 7UP Chicago Bears Training Camp?

What about a history lesson with your meeting space?

Explore the legacy of Kankakee County at one of our unique venues or museums.

The B. Harley Bradley House is Frank Lloyd Wright's first Prairie Style home and offers a beautiful view of the tranquil Kankakee River.

Hop on board at The Kankakee Depot, an Illinois Central Railroad depot dating back to 1898 and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Discover an extensive collection of county history and meeting space at the Kankakee County Museum and explore the beautiful outdoor Column Garden located on the museum grounds.

Have a passion for the arts? Host your event at the Majestic Theatre, one of the oldest vaudeville theatres in the Chicagoland area.

Hoping the great outdoors will jump start your team? We've got you covered. Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See is perfect for your next team building adventure - from extreme tree climbing to zip lining to guided Native American hikes, this will get the juices flowing. With a focus on an experiential learning process, groups will find themselves transformed through learning by doing.

Need less hands on? Try Willowhaven Park and Nature Center on for size. This newly renovated meeting space is a restored 1900s barn that transforms into a spectacular location to host up to 95 guests and includes beautiful grounds for outdoor experiences.

Step 2

You need a place to stay.

Located along I-57, Kankakee County has more than 1,000 places to lay your head and helps a long drive end with a good night's sleep. With a brand new hotel and one on the way, you'll be in good hands. Surrounded by friendly staff, great shopping, unique dining and plenty of things to do, you'll be happy you did!

Step 3

You need to relax. Let us take it from here.

Surrounded by more than 160 restaurants, trendy wine bars and our award-winning BrickStone Brewery, it makes picking a meeting venue the easy part. Looking for something out of the box? Spend your evening at Locavore Farm, a true farm-to-table experience that brings people together at their 100-foot handcrafted table to enjoy the bounty of Kankakee County's local homegrown goodness. Yum!

Looking to enhance your itinerary? Oooh and ahhh at the stars and planets with a visit to the Stickler Planetarium. Find antique treasures at any of our antique shops or unique retail destinations. Take in the arts at Merchant Street Art Gallery for Artists with Autism, one of only four in the U.S. Host happy hour at the B. Harley Bradley House and take a cruise on the Kankakee River in the quiet serenity of a Duffy electric boat.

Tour the historic churches of Kankakee County or the French Heritage Museum and witness the spirit of our early settlers. Experience our rural splendor on a self-guided driving tour of 50 Barn Quilts located throughout the county. These 8 foot by 8 foot Barn Quilts welcome visitors to explore the unique story of growth, celebration, toil and tradition. It won't disappoint.

What more could you ask for to turn your meeting or event into a destination? Our team is available Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and eager to assist. To ensure a fantastic visit to Kankakee County, please contact us by phone at (800) 747-4837 or by email at sales@kccvb.com.

• Staci Wilken is executive director of Visit Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The B. Harley Bradley House sits on the banks of the Kankakee River.
Locavore Farm is a farm-to-table dining experience sure to wow your guests. Courtesy of Locavore Farm
Staci Wilken

Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Address: 100 Marquette Place South, Manteno, IL 60950

Phone: (800) 747-4837

Web address: VisitKankakeeCounty.com

Twitter: @KankakeeCVB

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