By Maggie Sullivan – Avon’s latest major addition to its growing commercial industry, the Emerald Event Center, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony, live music, drinks and appetizers Tuesday night.
General Manager Aisha Schoonover said, “We’re super excited. I think this—a first class business center with a hotel connection—was really needed in the community”
The Emerald Event Center is located at 33040 Just Imagine Drive, attached to the Residence Inn Marriott. The banquet and reception ballroom can serve weddings, birthdays, business conferences, proms, class reunions and more.
The main group function room is about 7,000 square feet and can accommodate 500-700 people depending on the type of event. The hotel has 116 suites and boasts a pool, fitness center and full-service bar.
Although the Emerald Event Center has been open since January and the Residence Inn has been open since March, the grand opening was scheduled for June because, “We wanted to showcase the outdoor facilities as well…and give our neighbors and partners the honor they deserve,” said Schoonover.
According to Schoonover, the facility has already hosted four weddings and many corporate meetings. A total of 18 weddings are scheduled for the remainder of the year and engaged couples have already booked the space for 2017 and 2018.
“We have received a lot of support from the community…The response has been phenomenal. Everyone has been so generous. We feel so humbled and honored to have booked so many events here,” said Schoonover.
In recognition of the opening, the Emerald Foundation, a body established by James and Kris Gerish, donated $1,000 to three local charitable organizations: the North Coast Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, the Lorain county American Cancer Society branch and Community Resource Services.
The Emerald Foundation’s Regional Director of Sales and Marketing Lori Berhent said, “We wanted to support the communities we have hotels in and keep it in our backyard to be good, responsible corporate partners.”
Originally posted at http://www.cleveland.com/avon/index.ssf/2016/06/emerald_event_center_celebrate.html
