Sights & Attractions
What can be more meaningful than drawing
on the spark of the new or the fascinating history
of San Francisco’s past with an event at a
structure like the new DeYoung or the historic,
yet magnificent Palace of Fine Arts, home of
the Exploratorium? What can be more spectacular
than the incredible views from the steps
of the Legion of Honor or the signature circular
window of the SFMOMA? What could be more
of the moment then the literally green roof of
the new California Academy of Sciences?
Events at San Francisco’s cultural organizations
celebrate our home and allow guests to
feel that they have seen something secret of
the city—actually gained exclusive access to
San Francisco’s core—while networking and
relaxing with their colleagues and peers.
At art museums, the private viewing of the collections and exclusive access to both new and historic facilities is an undeniable draw. At the Exploratorium, guests unwind with cocktails and literally don’t just gaze, but become deeply engaged by and play with exhibits. All museums offer an opportunity to learn — without noticing—and provide a reason for socializing where one can’t help but whisper or yell (as the case may be), “Hey look at this.” Certainly at the Exploratorium in particular, many of the exhibits call for at least two people to enjoy and, like all museums in different ways, promote social interaction.
In a sense, at cultural sites and attractions, both the entertainment and the décor is built in—in contrast to large vacant open spaces or ballrooms. At the same time, cultural spaces can be transformed—a recreation of the streets of San Francisco for example, amid the blinking and beckoning of science and natural history exhibits or in the stately atriums at the city’s newly designed museums—adding yet another creative level of enjoyment. The unique architecture of each cultural organization can only serve as a draw, enhanced by unusual lighting and logo placement opportunities for clients. Many cultural organizations are actually designed these days with event spaces in mind—whether they are the institution’s own events and openings or those of rental clients. Your clients are very much on the mind of museum board and staff as they recognize and welcome the earned income and new audience development that facility rentals provide. For the client, it is a win-win. It both serves their business needs and has the added goodwill of supporting the city’s cultural richness.
The benefits practically speak for themselves. Each organization provides an automatic theme for the event, whether it’s a celebration of fine arts, the grandeur of an imposing building, the caché of cutting edge art or the uniquely San Francisco quality of hands on science exhibits. The theme can derive from the building itself or can extend further to play on the content of the institution—in the case of the Exploratorium, for example, Mad Scientist or doctor "operation" themes abound. Any meeting planner must consider
