Come for a meeting, stay for the science: Dynamic Earth and Science North in Sudbury offers comprehensive packages for conferences, private events and meetings.

• Author: McKinley, Karen
• Position: CONFERENCE & CONVENTION

Tourist destinations focusing on earth sciences, biology and mining seems like an unlikely place to host parties or a corporate meeting.

But according to Erika Theriault, sales leader--special functions at Science North, they are a popular destination, with bookings ranging from retreats, to weddings and conferences.

Dynamic Earth and Science North have sections that can be reserved for private events, as well as packages that include tours of attractions and use of equipment.

At Dynamic Earth, located on big Nickel Mine Drive, she said there are several rooms they can set up for different events and layouts to accommodate almost any request.

The original idea when Dynamic Earth was built was to make it a multi-use attraction.

"It was built like that to utilize business during peak hours, as well as after hours," she said. "It has a commanding presence on the hill, it's a gorgeous site."

Among the most popular rental spaces is the Epiroc Theatre, which seats around 125 people and has its own audio-visual equipment and a floor-to-ceiling screen. It also comes with a technician that will run projection, sound and lighting.

"We do a lot of corporate events and cater to client meetings in there as well," Theriault said.

Almost every open space in the building can be used for hosting an event. The lobby, she explained, has been closed off and used for gatherings, adding the displays on the mining history add a lot of visual appeal, so it doesn't usually need to be decorated further.

Dynamic Earth can also cater functions held there. They have the in-house Copper Cafe, as well as a catering contract with Bryston's on the Park in Copper Cliff.

"Often what we will do is have the meeting in the theatre, then have the reception in the lobby, with catering," she said. "We can transform that area with cruiser tables, linen, food tables. We can do sit-down dinners, as well as standing room receptions as well."

Two other areas at Dynamic Earth that are popular for bookings are the Discovery Room and MacLean Engineering Gallery.

The Discovery Room is located on the main floor beside the Copper Cafe and can be closed off for private functions. There is an accordion-type moveable wall that can be opened up facing the cafe, where the two spaces can be connected and double the size of the floor space.

There are groups that come in and use the entire first floor, incorporating the lobby, cafe, Theatre and Discovery Room.

The other is the MacLean Engineering...