MERCHANT MILESTONE BY RENEE LEININGER

 

White Eagle Conference Center, Inc. is located on 140 acres of lake front property on Lake Moraine in Hamilton. The property, which was originally developed as a retreat and conference center by American Management Association, consists of 75 buildings. Among the many amenities provided are meeting space, overnight accommodations, recreation and banquet facilities.

White Eagle Conference Center, Inc. has managed the operation since 1992 while American Management Association retained ownership of the property until May of 2002 when Wesley & Tammy Wendt purchased it in its entirety. They also purchased White Eagle Conference Center, Inc. and took over management of the operations in August of 2002. From the first day on the grounds the focus has been putting a shine on the property. High speed internet access has been added to all meeting rooms and wireless network is also available in the Appley Center and Grove areas. The Appley Center, containing 50,000 sq. ft., serves as the facilities main meeting space. It provides 7 meeting rooms and numerous breakout areas. The main attraction in the building is the Chandelier Room boasting a sparkling chandelier in the center of the main banquet room seating up to 300 for wedding receptions and other banquets. The Grove area offers a lodge overlooking the lake, two additional meeting rooms, a TePee bar with fireplace, a recreation room complete with shuffle board, darts, billiards, ping pong and air hockey, as well as 54 guest room cottages nestled in a park like setting. The Mitchell Point property, consisting of an additonal 15 cottages, provides a summer seasonal facility that is perfect for church retreats, family reunions and children's camps. The Americanan Village provides another option for catered events and even boasts it's very own church, gazebo, covered bridge, one room school house, boarding house, tavern and blacksmith shop. Future plans are to bring this section of the property back to its original state.

Past events that have taken place at the property are business/association meetings, weddings, proms, family reunions, class reunions, sports teams, banquets, church retreats and many other social gatherings.

The conference center continues to employ the key staff that has become noted for their attention to detail and superior customer service. The facility is described by many visitors as "the best kept secret of CNY." In the past, the marketing of the facility has been limited to smaller groups and associations due to the limited number of overnight accommodations. The property offers ample meetings space for groups of up to 250 and can now provide enough guest rooms to house groups of that size. A new 58 room hotel on Route 12B in the village of Hamilton, only 1 1/2 miles from the current operation allows White Eagle to market to new, larger groups as well as host multiple groups at the same time.

For more information, check out the website or call 1-800-295-9322.