Kalahari Wisconsin Dells Hosts THAT Conference, Shows Off New Expansion

August 28, 2019
Kalahari Convention

There’s nothing like hosting a big event to celebrate the expansion of a convention center, and that’s exactly what Kalahari Resorts and Conventions did earlier this month.

Following the completion of a $35 million expansion to its now 212,000 square feet of meeting space, Kalahari Wisconsin Dells hosted THAT Conference as the first event in the new space from Aug. 5-8.

The family-friendly, technology-focused conference — dubbed “Summer Camp for Geeks” — showed off Kalahari’s convention space and amenities to more than 1,700 attendees, spouses and children, who took part in more than 200 workshops and sessions. Several of the workshops were even taught by kids, for kids, with hands-on learning in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. 

Participation in the conference has increased nearly 500 percent since it began in 2012. According to Clark Sell, founder and CEO, the goals of the conference are to bring technology awareness to the Midwest, and to create a format that encourages work-life balance and builds the next generation of “tech geeks.” In addition, another goal this year was to create a destination vacation for the whole family, given Kalahari’s extensive opportunities for entertainment and dining under one roof. 

The expansion to Kalahari Wisconsin Dells, which broke ground in October 2017 and was completed this summer, added 112,000 square feet of space, including a 52,000-sq.-ft. ballroom and 10 meeting rooms. The resort now has three ballrooms and a total of 45 meeting rooms.

As attendees of THAT Conference, as well as Sell, recognized after visiting Kalahari Wisconsin Dells, the expansion is expected to put the resort in an even more attractive position to draw new business for late 2019 and beyond.

“The $35-million investment into the Convention Center will attract valuable business and visitors to the Dells area,” said Tifani Jones, corporate director of sales for Kalahari Resorts and Conventions 

A 125,000-sq.-ft. waterpark has long been a favorite of leisure and business guests traveling with families. Add to that an indoor adventure park (with bowling, an arcade, a ropes course, an indoor Ferris wheel, virtual reality experiences and more), a full-service spa and 11 dining options, and the destination becomes a one-stop shop for meetings and vacations alike.

To learn more about Kalahari Wisconsin Dells, go here.

 

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