The Greenbrier

Celebrated as “America’s Resort,” The Greenbrier represents more than two centuries of history with its stately architecture, period decor, meticulously sculpted gardens and impeccable service. Reigning over 6,500 acres in White Sulphur Springs, at the foot of West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains, the newly renovated, five diamond–awarded resort has hosted almost every reigning president since the Civil War, and keeps guests returning again and again to relish in storybook opulence, stunning natural surroundings and a vast array of activities.

Meeting professionals appreciate the resort’s 85,000 square feet of flexible convention space, from intimate meeting and breakout rooms to lavish ballrooms and theater events as well as meeting and exhibit space in the famed underground bunker. State-of-the-art multimedia and audiovisual equipment come standard in all meeting facilities, while a technical support staff stands by to ensure a flawless conference experience.

With a 6,500 acre playground and an endless list of recreational pursuits at their feet, groups can spend just as much time outdoors. Thrilling team-building events such as whitewater rafting, sporting clays, off-road driving, and ascents of the Alpine Tower are as popular as falconry, bowling, golf on three championship courses, and visits to the spa and its famous sulphur springs. Come nighttime, guests satisfy their palate at the eight restaurants and lounges on-site before retreating to 721 superior accommodations, including plush suites, deluxe cottages, and lavish estate homes—some with parlors large enough to entertain up to 200 guests.

Executive Meeting Package

Start	End	Rooms	Rate
7/05/09	7/08/09	10+
7/19/09	7/23/09	10+
8/09/09	8/16/09	10+
8/23/09	8/26/09	10+
9/07/09	9/11/09	10+
9/27/09	9/29/09	10+
10/28/09	10/31/09	10+
11/04/09	11/11/09	10+
11/15/09	11/19/09	10+
11/20/09	11/24/09	10+
12/16/09	12/22/09	10+

Posted May 26, 2009 by Elite News Team
Subscribe - RSS Feed By Eric Eyre, The Charleston Gazette, W.Va.McClatchy-Tribune Regional News

May 24, 2009--WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- The Greenbrier's new owner, Jim Justice, wants to build a 50,000-square-foot casino at the resort by the end of the year, but first he must find a place to put it.

Justice already has suggested one possible site: The West Terrace putting green area -- opposite the hotel's front-entrance lobby.

It's a place where guests take part in putting contests or relax in white rocking chairs on a patio overlooking a gently sloping hillside of lush grass and trees.

"The way I see it is we've got four golf courses with nine putting greens," Justice said. "This is one we could sacrifice."

Justice acknowledges that the $20 million casino is part of his plan to revive the struggling resort as a tourist and conference destination -- and start making money.

But by no means does he believe gambling alone will save The Greenbrier.

"The gaming will be another attraction and a significant amenity," said Justice, who purchased the resort for $20.1 million earlier this month from CSX, then persuaded a judge to dismiss The Greenbrier's bankruptcy case last week.

"What's going to get you to the top is getting that fifth [Mobile Travel Guide] star back and making this a place where the hobnobbers of the world want to come. Having the gaming will surely be a plus, but what's going to get you there is more elegance."

Although gambling was never permitted on Greenbrier property, resort guests gambled at nearby clubs from the 1920s to the late 1960s, said Greenbrier historian Dr. Robert S. Conte.

There was the Colonial Club, Cabin Club and Little Al's. Big, black Cadillacs would pull up to the hotel's front door and shuttle people to the gambling dens.

"Everybody knew it was around somewhere, and if you would ask, you could find it," Conte said.

The Colonial was probably the most upscale club. You had to be a Greenbrier guest to enter.

"It was black tie," Conte said. "They served good food, good booze."

Greenbrier guests also would place bets during a game called golf "Calcutta." They would wager on a team of golfers -- made up of one professional and three amateurs.

"You could generate a sizable amount of money on somebody's team," Conte said. "These were wealthy people."

Though such games and gambling clubs are long gone, Justice wants to attract a similar clientele of high rollers.

He frequently talks about building a "Monte Carlo- or Dubai-style" casino. Asked for more specifics, Justice said he's never been to a casino in Monte Carlo or Dubai, but suspects such places offer the "tasteful gaming" that he plans to bring to The Greenbrier.

"We're looking for an architect who's built a casino in Monte Carlo or Dubai," Justice said. "This is a place to have an experience, an entertaining gaming experience, not just a place to go gambling."

Justice envisions that an enclosed walkway would connect the casino to the historic hotel. The casino would be soundproof, so it wouldn't disrupt Greenbrier guests who enjoy the resort's peaceful setting.

"I want this to be like you're going into a different dimension," Justice said. "It will be eloquent, but high energy. You'll be going into a time lock."

The West Terrace putting green is one of several sites that Justice is considering.

Resort employees have suggested building the casino on a hillside beside the hotel's West Virginia wing, or on the site of an old single-story parking garage that now serves as a storage area near the hotel's north entrance.

The Greenbrier's massive underground bunker has been ruled out. The hotel initially planned to put a high-end casino in the bunker in 2000, but Greenbrier voters rejected gambling that year.

The hotel has since leased space in the bunker for document and data storage.

Bunker tours also generate revenue for the hotel and have become one of the resort's top attractions. The bunker was meant to serve as an emergency shelter for Congress during the Cold War.

The casino's patrons will be limited to hotel guests and members of The Greenbrier Sporting Club's luxury home development. People registered for events at the resort also will be allowed to gamble -- provided 400 rooms are occupied at the time.

Justice said the casino would include table games and slot machines.

"We don't want to limit this to the ultra wealthy to be able to play," Justice said. "You just can't put in a bunch of blackjack tables unless you do it in a tasteful way."

Last year, Greenbrier County voters approved gambling at the resort.

Earlier this month, Gov. Joe Manchin signed a bill into law that will allow The Greenbrier to keep a larger share of gambling profits. In exchange, the resort will put about $5 million of gambling proceeds a year into employee health benefit plans.

Greenbrier workers predict the casino will be a boon to the resort, keeping rooms booked during the normally slow winter months. The Greenbrier typically furloughs hundreds of its 1,300 workers each winter.

"We'll have work year-round now," said Dale Mann, a doorman who has worked at The Greenbrier for 35 years. "We've got a family-oriented man who's now our boss. We have someone who cares."

Although West Virginia's racetrack casinos have struggled to find table-game dealers, Justice doesn't believe that will be a problem for The Greenbrier.

"This is The Greenbrier," Justice said. "I want all these jobs to be the envy of the world."

The Greenbrier lost its fifth star in 2000. Justice wants to recapture the five-star rating, but it's unclear whether a casino will help him do it. The Mobil Travel Guide gave five stars -- its highest rating -- to 44 hotels in the U.S. and Canada last year. Only two of those -- the Tower Suites at Wynn and Skylofts at MGM Grand in Las Vegas -- offer gambling.

Justice hopes to have the casino's architectural plans finished by the end of June. He expects the casino to open by New Year's Eve.

"This is going to be something special," he said.

Reach Eric Eyre at ericeyre@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4869.


To see more of The Charleston Gazette, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.wvgazette.com.

Copyright (c) 2009, The Charleston Gazette, W.Va.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. Posted May 18, 2009 by Nikki H
Subscribe - RSS Feed WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- The Greenbrier resort's new owner -- the man who outmaneuvered the mighty Marriott International -- is a coal baron who just sold some mines to the Russians for $436 million. He is enormous and boisterous, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing enough that he calls himself a "fat hog." He is the president of the local youth baseball league and coach of the girls' high school basketball team and is driven around town by his buddy Moe.

"These people haven't seen anything quite like me," James C. Justice II said the other day, over a sandwich and fries at the resort.

And neither has Marriott, which last night agreed to a settlement with Justice to avoid a battle in federal bankruptcy court in Richmond, where the two sides were scheduled to wrangle for control of the historic resort -- the place where Joseph and Rose Kennedy honeymooned and 26 presidents have visited. (Prince Rainier and Princess Grace stopped by, too.)

With Justice winning control, some residents said, he will forever be seen as a savior to this quiet town in the mountains whose fortunes have fallen alongside the resort. The Greenbrier has endured hundreds of layoffs and brutal labor negotiations amid a steep drop-off in guest visits. The prospect that a local man, not some corporate muckety-muck, could be signing their paychecks had even led residents to pack churches and praise Justice.

"I believe the Good Lord sent him for us," said Greg Scott, a preacher and doorman at the hotel for more than a dozen years who has seen 14 of his neighbors laid off. "We had no hopes, no plans. It was a glorious day when he arrived."

That was less than two weeks ago, after Justice surprised the town and executives at Bethesda-based Marriott International by announcing that he had bought the resort for $20 million. In March, the hotel's previous owner, the railway company CSX, placed the property in Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, telling a judge that it was "unable and unwilling to continue funding" losses.

As part of the bankruptcy, CSX made a deal to sell the resort to Marriott for $60 million to $130 million, depending on the resort's future financial performance. CSX also agreed to give Marriott $50 million to run the hotel. The deal was contingent on CSX winning an agreement with the resort's unions that was also agreeable to Marriott. An accord was reached, and everything was looking spiffy for the world's largest hotel chain.

But Justice, who owns coal mines and large farming operations in several nearby states, was lurking. He went to CSX in April, offering to buy the stock in the entity that owned the resort, assume the debt and move to have the bankruptcy case dismissed -- an unusual step, according to bankruptcy experts, who said buyers usually prefer to acquire assets out of bankruptcy free of debt. Why would Justice go through all the trouble to take on a business he knows nothing about and take on more than $100 million in bills?

He said it had nothing to with the state recently approving casino gambling at the resort: "That's just bull snot," Justice said.

"I don't want to damage these people anymore. I live here. I don't want to dash their hopes," he said. "I am honestly stone-cold confident that I can bring to the table a lot of good stuff. I won't be the guy who thinks with the standard hotel mentality. This place can't be run that way."

Marriott officials met with Justice in Lewisburg, W.Va., yesterday to strike a deal. Under their settlement, both sides have 30 days to come to an agreement allowing Marriott to market the property and receive a fee for any guests it generates for the resort. If an agreement is not reached, Justice will pay a $7.5 million breakup fee, Justice said.

"We have amicably resolved any dispute with Mr. Justice, and we will not oppose the motion to dismiss the bankruptcy," Marriott said in a statement.

No matter what the outcome of the talks, Justice has won total control of the Greenbrier.

"I needed the control," Justice said in an interview. "I'd be letting these people down without it."

Justice won over the community by hiring back furloughed workers and reopening the union contract to increase health insurance and other benefits, including allowing employees to eat one meal a day at the resort.

Last week, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III (D) and Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV threw their support behind Justice, saying he's the right person to run the national historic landmark. A four-hour drive from Washington, Greenbrier features 721 rooms, 10 lobbies, three golf courses, a large medical clinic for executive checkups and a once-secret bunker for Congress to convene in the event of a nuclear attack.

"I would hope Marriott sees we have someone here with the passion, the wherewithal and the resources to own the Greenbrier," Manchin said in an interview. Rockefeller sent Justice a handwritten note saying: "I can't tell how proud I am of you and how happy I am for West Virginia. Without a doubt you have absolutely saved the Greenbrier."

White Sulphur Springs, like many small towns, harbors resentment toward corporate America, which has brought Wal-Marts and other big-box stores to town and -- in the view of some residents -- sucked local businesses dry. On Main Street, barber Mike Lane can look through the shop's window and see that all of the stores across the street are for rent.

"Are they going to crumble, or are there going to be some businesses there?" Lane said. "I'd like to see more businesses. I'd like to cut more hair." He said he thinks someone with ties to the town has a more vested interest in the resort. "I want him to do well," he said.

Peter Bostic, the union's business manager, agreed with Lane. "He will hold the place closer to the chest than an international company," Bostic said.

Justice said his immediate goals include beginning work on a casino, but more important, he wants to win back the resort's Mobil five-star rating, which it lost in 1999. The key to earning that fifth star, he said, was improving his employees' outlook. His theory is that if his employees are happy, they will make the guests happy. If that sounds familiar, it's what J.W. Marriott Jr. has preached for decades.

"I think it's all driven by state of mind," Justice said. "These people here are great. But how great can you be when you are worried if your family is going to be supported? These people have been through a really tough go of it and so we are in the process of lifting the cloud and bringing the sun back out."

http://www.elitemeetings.com/property/the-greenbrier/ Posted Mar 3, 2009 by kimberlyc
Subscribe - RSS Feed Contact Information:
Kimberly Krol
Public Relations Executive
215.369.3460
[email]kim.krol@globaltravelerusa.com[/email]

The Greenbrier Named the Best Hotel in the Southern United States by Global Traveler

YARDLEY, PA, Dec. 1, 2008 - Global Traveler readers named The Greenbrier the Best Hotel in the Southern United States in their fifth annual GT Tested Reader Survey. More than 31,000 distinguished readers responded to the magazine's annual survey of airlines, hotels, loyalty programs and travel-related products in 55 categories. GT readers are frequent premium travelers who average 33 round-trip flights a year, with 96 percent traveling in first- or business-class regularly. Global Traveler announced the results of the survey in the December 2008 issue.

"We are honored to be recognized by this renowned group. Our dedicated team of ladies and gentlemen are among the best in the industry and it is rewarding to see them included in such elite company," said Michael Gordon, general manager for The Greenbrier.

This year's roster of highly regarded winners includes Singapore Airlines (Best Airline in the World), Emirates (Best Airline for First Class) and Asiana Airlines (Best Trans-Pacific Airline). Other top winners are EVA Air (Best Airline for Premium Economy), Korean Air (Best Airline in North Asia), Air Pacific Limited (Best Airline in the South Pacific), Conrad Hotels and Resorts (Best European Hotel Chain), Delta Air Lines Crown Rooms (Best Airport Lounges), Verizon Wireless (Best Wireless Service in the World) and Dubai Duty Free (Best Duty Free Shops).

Global Traveler is excited to celebrate the fifth anniversary of our GT Tested Reader Survey Awards. Over the past five years, the consistent, unbiased reporting of the awards has placed them among the most highly regarded in the industry. The anniversary is shared with the following award winners, who have claimed top honors in their respective categories for the past five years: Singapore Airlines (Best Airline in the World), Asiana Airlines (Best Airline for Onboard Service and Flight Attendants), Air Canada (Best Airline in Canada), Qantas (Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand), South African Airways (Best Airline in Africa), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Best Airport in North America), United Mileage Plus (Best Frequent Flyer Program), Park Hyatt (Best International Hotel Chain), Sheraton Hotels & Resorts (Best Hotel Chain in Latin America) and American Express Membership Rewards (Best Credit Card Rewards Program).

This year marks the first year for the following GT Tested categories: Best Airline in the South Pacific (Air Pacific), Best Hotel in the Eastern United States (The Jumeirah Essex House), Best Hotel in the Southern United States (The Greenbrier), Best Hotel in the Midwestern United States (The Conrad Chicago), Best Hotel in the Western United States (Hotel Bel-Air), Best Domestic Restaurant (Per Se, NYC) and Best Spa (Chi, The Spa at the Shangri-La Bangkok). GT also reintroduced the category Best Airline in Mexico (AeroMexico).

"The 2008 Reader Survey Awards are very meaningful to Global Traveler," said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler. "They represent five successful years for our magazine, the travel industry, our clients and our readers. Each year, we receive more and more responses, a sign of our growth and our readers' desire to share their knowledge and experience. The winners truly are the best in the business - our readers know the best when they see it as they are on planes, in hotels and booking travel all the time. It is an honor to congratulate all the winners, particularly those who have dominated their categories for the last five years."

This year's winners will be feted at an evening cocktail reception on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. For more information, check out the December 2008 issue of Global Traveler or visit our Web site at [url]www.globaltravelerusa.com[/url]. Posted Dec 11, 2008 by kimberlyc
Subscribe - RSS Feed The Greenbrier Earns AAA Five Diamond Award for 2009

AAA has announced that The Greenbrier has earned the prestigious Five Diamond award for 2009. The resort, along with The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, has maintained a Five Diamond Rating for 33 consecutive years; since the hotel Diamond Ratings were first published in the AAA TourBook guides.

The 162 AAA/CAA Five Diamond Award winners for 2009 include 103 lodgings and 59 restaurants throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Five Diamond Award winners are a select group; for 2009, just 0.28 percent of the 31,000 AAA Rated lodgings and 27,000 AAA Rated restaurants received this prestigious designation. Ten Five Diamond Award winners, six hotels and four restaurants, were added for 2009, and eight properties were removed.

"Earning AAA's Five Diamond status is truly an honor. Our team of hospitality professionals strives to provide each guest with the highest level of service and they are all to be commended. This award is a reflection of the commitment and dedication they exhibit every day," said Andrew Fogarty, president of The Greenbrier.

AAA evaluates up to 300 elements related to the property's physical attributes and as many as 300 related to customer service. Five diamond lodgings must have elegant style with luxurious, unique and artistic appointments as well as an elegant and extensive variety of landscaping with meticulous attention to detail in placement and care.

"The ability to achieve and maintain the highest level of hospitality in the most luxurious surroundings is what the Five Diamond rating is all about. AAA is pleased to honor these establishments," said Michael Petrone, director of AAA Tourism Information Development. "The physical attributes of these properties are unique, enticing and extraordinary - complemented by an extensive array of personalized services for every guest, which consistently exceeds the expectations of even the most refined traveler."

The assignment of a AAA rating of One to Five Diamonds marks the completion of a successful annual evaluation. All properties must first meet AAA's rigorous requirements to become AAA Approved establishments.

AAA's Diamond Rating System is the only ratings system that covers all of North America and one of only two that conducts physical, on-site evaluations. It is the only system that uses full-time, professionally trained evaluators to inspect each property on an annual basis using a set of guidelines that are made available to all establishments. AAA evaluates more properties than any other rating entity. Additionally, AAA provides travelers the opportunity to post comments about their experiences at AAA Approved and Diamond Rated establishments at AAA.com. Information about AAA Diamond Ratings and the complete 2009 Five Diamond Award winners lists are accessible at AAA.com/News. Posted Dec 11, 2008 by kimberlyc
Subscribe - RSS Feed The Greenbrier Named the Best Hotel in the Southern United States by Global Traveler

YARDLEY, PA, Dec. 1, 2008 - Global Traveler readers named The Greenbrier the Best Hotel in the Southern United States in their fifth annual GT Tested Reader Survey. More than 31,000 distinguished readers responded to the magazine's annual survey of airlines, hotels, loyalty programs and travel-related products in 55 categories. GT readers are frequent premium travelers who average 33 round-trip flights a year, with 96 percent traveling in first- or business-class regularly. Global Traveler announced the results of the survey in the December 2008 issue.

"We are honored to be recognized by this renowned group. Our dedicated team of ladies and gentlemen are among the best in the industry and it is rewarding to see them included in such elite company," said Michael Gordon, general manager for The Greenbrier.

This year's roster of highly regarded winners includes Singapore Airlines (Best Airline in the World), Emirates (Best Airline for First Class) and Asiana Airlines (Best Trans-Pacific Airline). Other top winners are EVA Air (Best Airline for Premium Economy), Korean Air (Best Airline in North Asia), Air Pacific Limited (Best Airline in the South Pacific), Conrad Hotels and Resorts (Best European Hotel Chain), Delta Air Lines Crown Rooms (Best Airport Lounges), Verizon Wireless (Best Wireless Service in the World) and Dubai Duty Free (Best Duty Free Shops).

Global Traveler is excited to celebrate the fifth anniversary of our GT Tested Reader Survey Awards. Over the past five years, the consistent, unbiased reporting of the awards has placed them among the most highly regarded in the industry. The anniversary is shared with the following award winners, who have claimed top honors in their respective categories for the past five years: Singapore Airlines (Best Airline in the World), Asiana Airlines (Best Airline for Onboard Service and Flight Attendants), Air Canada (Best Airline in Canada), Qantas (Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand), South African Airways (Best Airline in Africa), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Best Airport in North America), United Mileage Plus (Best Frequent Flyer Program), Park Hyatt (Best International Hotel Chain), Sheraton Hotels & Resorts (Best Hotel Chain in Latin America) and American Express Membership Rewards (Best Credit Card Rewards Program).

This year marks the first year for the following GT Tested categories: Best Airline in the South Pacific (Air Pacific), Best Hotel in the Eastern United States (The Jumeirah Essex House), Best Hotel in the Southern United States (The Greenbrier), Best Hotel in the Midwestern United States (The Conrad Chicago), Best Hotel in the Western United States (Hotel Bel-Air), Best Domestic Restaurant (Per Se, NYC) and Best Spa (Chi, The Spa at the Shangri-La Bangkok). GT also reintroduced the category Best Airline in Mexico (AeroMexico).

"The 2008 Reader Survey Awards are very meaningful to Global Traveler," said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler. "They represent five successful years for our magazine, the travel industry, our clients and our readers. Each year, we receive more and more responses, a sign of our growth and our readers' desire to share their knowledge and experience. The winners truly are the best in the business - our readers know the best when they see it as they are on planes, in hotels and booking travel all the time. It is an honor to congratulate all the winners, particularly those who have dominated their categories for the last five years."

This year's winners will be feted at an evening cocktail reception on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. For more information, check out the December 2008 issue of Global Traveler or visit our Web site at [url]www.globaltravelerusa.com[/url]. Posted Oct 24, 2008 by kimberlyc
Subscribe - RSS Feed The Greenbrier Named #7 U.S. Resort by Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report

Readers of Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report named The Greenbrier the #7 US Resort in their 27th annual survey of sophisticated travelers, as published in the September issue. "A venerable, world-class mountain resort, The Greenbrier recently completed a $50 million renovation. The property offers extensive recreational and spa facilities amid a 6,500-acre estate of manicured parklands and formal gardens in an upland Allegheny Mountain valley," stated Andrew Harper.

This annual reader survey is the longest-running and most reliable poll of its kind among affluent and sophisticated travelers. According to the newsletter, "Nearly 65 percent of this year's respondents typically vacation for at least 30 days annually and despite current economic uncertainties, 51 percent say they plan to travel more this year than last."

"The Andrew Harper Hideaway Report is a valuable resource for luxury travelers and we are honored to be recognized by their readers as one of the top resorts in the country," said Michael Gordon, general manager for The Greenbrier.

Harper added, "The following unique American resorts, the favorites of the discerning readers of my travel newsletter Hideaway Report, share a wonderful tendency to create lasting memories. Each of these properties has a defining characteristic: Pacific Ocean views at the Post Ranch Inn in California, golfing at Kiawah Island in South Carolina, cuisine weekends at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee, the spa at The Greenbrier in West Virginia."

1. Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN
2. The Cloister, Sea Island, GA
3. Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, CA
4. Four Seasons Hualalai, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
5. Twin Farms, Barnard, VT
6. Auberge Du Soleil, Rutherford, CA
7. The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV
8. San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito, CA
9. The Sanctuary Hotel, Kiawah Island, SC
10. The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, SC

The Greenbrier, also known as America's Resort, was named the "Resort of the Century" by the newsletter in December 1999. The resort provides a world-class haven for discerning business guests and sophisticated leisure travelers. Top-notch amenities and services include elegant meeting and event space, a variety of fine restaurants and lounges and access to a wide array of recreational activities including three championship golf courses, off-road driving, tennis, falconry, sporting clays, fishing, cooking school and the resort's luxurious 40,000 square-foot spa. Posted Oct 24, 2008 by kimberlyc
Subscribe - RSS Feed MEETINGS & EVENTS SPECIAL SERVICES

OVERVIEW: For groups large and small, The Greenbrier can customize activities that will delight, intrigue and stimulate the widest range of interests. Whether it is trust-building ascents of the Alpine Tower or whitewater rafting, planners and experts at the resort can coordinate special adventures for every type of group. The Greenbrier offers 50 recreational activities to choose from, a 40,000-square foot Spa and more than 10 diverse dining options, guaranteed to suit every group's needs.

BUSINESS CENTER: The Business Center, located in the Theatre corridor, is open daily and available for all business needs. The Center offers a trained staff to assist with copying services, high-speed wireless Internet access, notaries, computer services, office supplies and rental, transparencies, faxes and more.

CONFERENCE CENTER: The Greenbrier Conference Center is a three-level wing of the main building that comprises a part of the 85,000 square feet of flexible meeting space available at the resort. Many venues have multiple breakout options, A/V services and wireless capabilities. Groups looking for unique locations to
host their meeting can take advantage of Howard's Creek Lodge, Kate's Mountain Lodge, the historic Bunker or The Golf Club.

FLOWERS AND DCOR: The Greenbrier has many on-site partners who can assist with all event needs. Gillespie's Flowers and Productions offers services including flowers and dcor for theme parties and banquets, linen and china rentals, tents and theatrical lighting. Their team of specialists can assist with events from casual to formal for 10-1,000 people.

WEDDING SERVICES: For centuries, brides-to-be have been coming to The Greenbrier for their weddings. With numerous romantic and picturesque venues and the convenience of on-site support for everything from flowers and photography to entertainment and catering, The Greenbrier has everything you need to plan your dream wedding.

From arranging a rustic mountain-top barbecue or a spa luncheon for your bridal party, to organizing en suite salon services, a romantic carriage ride for two, or a custom wedding cake, you will find every resource needed to plan every aspect of your special day.

AMENITIES:
 85,000 square feet of flexible meeting space
 35 meeting rooms with A/V presentation aids
 Terraces and patios
 16,500 square-foot exhibit hall
 Business Center
 Enclosed projection rooms
 Complete on-line computer hook-ups
 High-speed wireless Internet
 Closed-circuit television
 Sophisticated multi-media equipment
 Technical support staff
 In-house audio-visual staff, Swank Audio Visuals
 High-end Aeron executive chairs
 Dolby Surround Sound
 50+ recreational activities including three championship golf courses, indoor and outdoor tennis, trap, skeet and sporting clays, award-winning spa, off-road driving school, mountain biking, fly fishing, indoor and outdoor pools, equestrian trail and much more.
 Over 10 restaurants and bars that can serve as unique meeting venues

ADDITIONAL SERVICES:
 IT services (laptop rentals, PowerPoint assistance)
 24-hour security
 Stenography
 Public Relations
 Photography
 Printing
 Entertainment consultants, East Coast Entertainment, to assist with music, decorating and entertainment requirements
 Special programs and demonstrations for guests arranged by the Director of Social Activities
 Full-service on-site Destination Management Company
 Easy access by air, car and train Posted Oct 24, 2008 by kimberlyc
Subscribe - RSS Feed TIPS FOR PLANNING A MEETING AT THE GREENBRIER

Take advantage of the value-added, special "Hot Dates" available at The Greenbrier,
which allow you to experience a meeting at the resort at a discounted rate.

Utilize The Greenbrier's on-site event planners, florists, entertainment consultants and
audio visual companies, who can assist with all of your meeting needs.

The resort's full service Destination Management Company, Destination Solutions, can
arrange transportation logistics and other meeting and event services.

For a unique spin on a traditional meeting, consider hosting your event at one of the
resort's unconventional venues, like the historic Bunker, Howard's Creek Lodge, Kate's
Mountain Lodge or The Golf Club.

Extraordinary team-building events can be arranged for groups of all sizes, and include
whitewater rafting, culinary activities and ascents of the Alpine Tower.

For an intimate gathering, consider using one of the resort's fine private dining rooms.

The Greenbrier encourages you to plan a site visit. Meeting the team and seeing the
beautiful grounds and facilities builds excitement for your upcoming event.

Take advantage of some of our unique recreational activities, including Trap & Skeet,
Sporting Clays, Falconry, and Archery.

Save time and money on research and shipping of corporate gifts. The Greenbrier has a
vast array of unique gifts for all budgets. Posted Oct 24, 2008 by kimberlyc
Subscribe - RSS Feed THE GREENBRIER OFFERS VARIETY OF DISTINCTIVE MEETING VENUES

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV - After reopening on April 2, 2007 following a $50 million renovation, The Greenbrier continues to be a perfect setting for meetings and conventions. With over 40 unique venues and 85,000 square-feet of functional meeting space, the resort can accommodate groups of any size or type. "Our significant renovation project ensures that we will successfully build on our reputation for providing quality service and one-of-a-kind meetings," says Paul Ratchford, President of The Greenbrier. The variety of venues that groups may choose from makes the resort an ideal location for a meeting, conference, banquet or wedding.

The most unique meeting venue at The Greenbrier is The Bunker, the former U.S. Government Relocation Facility located on the property. As a part of a two-year renovation project that started in 2004, the Bunker added five meeting rooms ranging from 670-730 square feet. The rooms, Knowland, Johnson, Rayburn, Stewart and Martin, were named for the leaders of the House and Senate and the Architect of the Capitol when the project began in 1956. During the 30 years that the Bunker was a secret, groups were meeting there and enjoying theme parties and dinners, without realizing they were in a top-secret government facility. The Bunker also includes the Exhibit Hall, built in the 1960s, which is designed
particularly for trade shows, meetings and dinners. At over 16,000 square-feet, this space can accommodate up to 2,000 guests in a cocktail setting.

A slightly more conventional venue at The Greenbrier is the 6,240 square-foot Cameo Ballroom, perfect for receptions and formal dinners. The elegant room features a 9-foot chandelier of Czechoslovakian crystal, and can host up to 400 guests, depending on the type of setting. Another one of the largest facilities at the resort is Colonial Hall, a grand room well-suited to meetings and dining events. Also over 16,000 square-feet, the space is ideal for group functions that require ample space.

Set in the Allegheny Mountains, The Greenbrier is not lacking in scenic facilities. Howard's Creek Lodge, which opened in June 2003, is located along the Old White golf course and features a white oak log structure that was originally a double-pen barn.

The structure uses pinewood from the old railroad freight station in White Sulphur Springs and chandeliers from The Greenbrier's former auditorium. The chandeliers date to 1930 and were taken down in 1953 during an expansion of The Greenbrier's conference facilities. Kate's Mountain Lodge, another rustic venue on the property, is surrounded by views of the Allegheny Mountains and serves as an ideal location for casual group functions up to 200 guests.

Whether groups are looking for an opulent banquet room, a rugged lodge, or a historical venue, The Greenbrier is dedicated to offering an exceptional conference experience with timeless charm and impeccable attention to detail. Posted May 27, 2008 by kimberlyc
Subscribe - RSS Feed The Greenbrier provides guests with endless choices to spend their time between meetings. In particular, team building activities enhance any group experience at the resort. Adventure Learning experiences take groups of people with varied interests, skills and backgrounds, puts them in an outdoor setting and presents them with a challenging situation.
Combined with quality equipment and meeting resources, the skilled facilitators at The Greenbrier are devoted to making sure every meeting is a success. The Greenbrier sales team is geared towards creating experiences from which a team can learn skills that can be implemented in an office setting. In particular, The Greenbrier Leadership Center customizes innovative programs for each group based on their individual goals and desired outcomes.
The variety of activities offered ranges from learning the nuts and bolts of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator to paddling the waters of the Greenbrier River or ascending the challenging 55-foot Alpine Tower. Participants who choose to tackle the Alpine Tower are able to take on a variety of challenges, whether it's spotting, belaying or climbing. The Greenbrier Mountain Quest provides an interesting way to see the resort's 6,500 acres. During this "orienteering" experience, groups are tested on their compass reading skills. Teammates work together to collaboratively navigate a preset course through the woods, relying on the skills and knowledge of each individual.
The Cross Country Challenge at The Greenbrier is one of the most popular team building activities. During The Challenge, team members are outfitted with a customized Land Rover and must seek out a variety of checkpoints that are assigned different values determined by ease of access, distance and difficulty, all while racing against the clock. The most effective teams assess the individual member's strengths and use their resources to successfully pass through as many checkpoints as possible. Similarly, The Greenbrier Challenge requires teamwork and provides for an exhilarating and mentally demanding experience. Teams must overcome obstacles placed in their path and navigate through the woods with a map and compass. Whether it's determining the best way to cross a river or pedal a mountain bike circuit, the Challenge requires the group to work together, collaborating to develop a strategy to accumulate points.
From the moment of first contact, The Greenbrier Leadership Center works with the meeting planner as a partner. The content, flow and details of the experience are custom-designed based on an interactive creative process. Once the designed program is created, The Greenbrier Leadership Center draws on input and ideas from all parties involved. The President, Duane Zobrist, believes passionately in experiential-based training and development. "The Greenbrier's superior meeting facilities, 50 recreational activities, and recent renovation already make it a leading property for meetings and conventions. The comprehensive team building activities offered to groups greatly enhance meetings held at the resort and lend further cach to The Greenbrier meetings experience." Posted Feb 15, 2008 by kimberlyc
Subscribe - RSS Feed Golf Digest Names The Greenbrier's Old White Course Best New Public Remodel

The Greenbrier's historic Old White Course was named as the 2007 Best New Public Remodel by Golf Digest in the magazine's January issue. The course, which debuted in 1914, underwent a complete restoration from 2002-2006.

The Old White, originally designed by C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor, was renovated by renowned golf architect Lester George of Richmond, Virginia. The four-year project returned the course to its original style, while taking into consideration current golf strategies and equipment. In developing their plan, George and his team used aerial photographs from the 1930s and historical accounts from retired Greenbrier professionals and superintendents.

"The Old White Course was built before golf was popular, and the game was played primarily along the ground, and affording players many different routes into each green," said George. "Macdonald used the geography here to create an interesting course. My goal was to preserve the Old White's personality and history while at the same time, improve its overall playability and condition."

In his review for Golf Digest, senior editor Ron Whitten states, "It's the massive-green, bold-bunkered Old White that Sam (Snead) first came upon as a young golfer in the 1930s. It's back to being the Old White that architects C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor envisioned in 1914, an ode to British and Scottish styles."

"By re-establishing the lines and angles of the original design, its perpendicular bunkering of geometric shapes, its angular slopes in rectangular greens, and by selectively clearing out walls of trees to open up Allegheny splendors, George has transformed the Old White into a captivating and entertaining resort course," wrote Whitten.

Whitten's evaluation of the renovation to the course also noted some of George's personal touches. "He added a few original touches, like the huge dip in the left half of the second green and the sinister, serpentine fairway bunker hugging the narrow-pedestal 14th fairway."

"Lester was the perfect choice for this restoration project. He truly appreciates and understands not only the history of the game, but also the passion of today's golfer who enjoys the dare of a highly rated and challenging course, especially one with a traditional Scottish design," said Robert Harris, The Greenbrier's Director of Sports and Recreation.

"The Old White has always had a special place in The Greenbrier's history and we are thrilled that Golf Digest has recognized our efforts to restore this cherished course," continued Harris. "The Old White has an aura all its own and it comes from the more than 90 years since it was built. President Woodrow Wilson was one of the first to play the course in 1914. And Sam certainly had his part in its history, from his numerous holes-in-one on #18 to the stories of the matches he played with other renowned professionals, Hollywood celebrities and US Presidents. Even Tom Watson, our Golf Professional Emeritus, has a special affection for the course and considers the #1 his favorite opening shot in all of golf."