Destinations conducive for problem solving.
This list doesn't include meeting space in hotel and convention centers. While they offer physical space, I have yet to find a hotel venue that is very inspirational.
North America
Middle-America
Boardwalk Creative Center - (Ann Arbor, MI) - A multi-room environment that fosters creativity. For brainstorming sessions, seminars, meetings, retreats, company parties and artistic presentations. Billed as "your creative space away from your day-to-day space." Opened March, 2007.
Catalyst Ranch - (Chicago, IL) - Eva Niewiadomski's place. Five rooms of fun. A well know creative space for rent. Opened in 2002.
Eureka! Mansion - (Columbus, OH) - Doug Hall started with a ranch, and upgraded to a mansion. He has perfected the science of innovation. Opened in 1992.
SolutionPeople - (Chicago, IL) Gerald Haman founded SolutionPeople a creativity and innovation training and development firm in 1989 and his creative meeting space -
the Thinkubator.
SparkSpace - (Columbus, OH) - Mark Henson, chief imagination officer, offers space and programs to help businesses be more creative. He offers a great newsletter. And a surprise hidden on his voicemail system.
(Hint.... push "6"). Opened in 2000.
East Coast
Inspiration Point - (Pittsburgh) - Pat Kelly Lee is the Chief Inspiration Officer at Pittsburgh's brainstorming destination. Opened in 2001.
West Coast
Room2Think - (Bellingham, WA) - Seth Thomas converted 2,500 square feet of underutilized loft space into a place to think. Opened 2006.
United Kingdom
The Boardwalk - (Manchester, England) - a 'light, airy, spacious, urban' location. Managed by ?WhatIf!
The Old Laundry - (London, UK) - "At The Laundry you won't find any hard backed chairs, grey Formica tables or migraine inducing florescent strip lights - we believe that to be the kind of setting which saps your creative energy." Managed by ?WhatIf!
Europe
coming soon!
