During spring and summer, the southern Montana city of Billings flourishes with blooming wildflowers and lush landscapes, all framed by scenic panoramas of the Rimrocks (geological sandstone rock formations) surrounding most of the city. Such backdrops enhance meetings and events, and planners will appreciate the city’s affordable hotel rates and many full-service venues that accommodate any gathering size.
Vibe: “Billings stands out as a meetings destination because it hits that sweet spot planners are always chasing,” says Polly Mulvaney, group sales manager at Visit Billings, the city’s convention and visitors bureau. “[It’s] easy to get to, easy on the budget, and [has] a genuinely cool vibe. The Rimrocks, Yellowstone River, and wide-open Montana skies provide a natural backdrop that energizes meetings and makes events memorable.”
Transportation: Billings Logan International Airport is just northeast of the city and provides flights through six passenger airlines from more than a dozen destinations across the country, including Seattle, Las Vegas, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and Chicago. Once attendees arrive in Billings, they can get around the city easily via ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, as well as the City of Billings Met Transit bus system.
Hotels: For larger groups, the Billings Hotel & Convention Center offers 39,969 square feet of event space and 231 guest rooms, and the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Billings
has 22,435 square feet of function space and 289 overnight rooms. Additional meeting-friendly lodging options include the Northern Hotel (12,000 square feet of event space and
160 guest rooms) and the Hilton Garden Inn Billings (4,534 square feet of meeting space and 128 overnight rooms).
Venues: “Billings has the infrastructure to host professional, polished events,” says Mulvaney, pointing to the city’s many venues for planners to choose from. MetraPark is a multifacility event destination that houses three large-scale venues to consider: First Interstate Arena, Expo Center, and Montana Pavilion. Other distinctive spaces include ZooMontana, which accommodates up to 2,500 attendees, and Billings Depot, a historic former train station available for groups of up to 300.
Restaurants: “From hearty Montana classics and sizzling steaks to inventive farm-to-table dishes and international cuisine, every meal [in Billings] tells a story of place and community,” says Mulvaney. Jake’s Bar & Grill serves up a menu of steaks and wines and has the private Spur Room for up to 14 diners. Last Chance Pub & Cider Mill provides hard ciders and pub fare (like nachos and burgers), and has private event rooms for up to 10 attendees. Additional restaurants with private-dining options include The Granary, The Windmill & Bar 51, and Montana Outlaw BBQ.
Must-Sees & -Dos: Mulvaney notes that when groups convene in Billings, adding an excursion to the Rimrocks is a must. “Whether it’s a quick sunset stop, a walk, or an e-bike ride along the top, [visiting] the Rimrocks instantly gives groups a powerful sense of place.” Billings also is near Yellowstone National Park, located just under a three-hour drive from the park’s northeast entrance near Cooke City, Montana. The history buffs in your group might appreciate a visit to Pompeys Pillar National Monument, which is a half hour east of Billings. The historic site features William Clark’s signature carved in the sandstone
during the 1804-06 Lewis and Clark Expedition he led across the country with Meriwether Lewis.
