Seattle, also known as the wonderful “Emerald City”, offers the opportunity to experience scenic beauty, cultural diversity, outdoor recreation and urban attractions. No matter what your interests, Seattle offers something for everyone.

Take a leisurely stroll through the nation’s oldest farmers market, Pike Place Market. This nine-acre historic district is the soul of Seattle and a shopping district like no other! This national treasure is an open-air celebration of farm produce, seasonal flowers, seafood, unique specialty foods, international grocery items, handmade crafts, antiques and collectables, clothing and much more. Quaint cobblestone streets lead you to fine restaurants and eateries that view the ferry traffic on Elliott Bay.

Seattle’s cultural scene continues to flourish with its nationally respected opera, ballet, galleries, museums, festivals and theater. Enrich yourself with the collections and exhibitions of the Seattle Art Museum. At the Museum of Flight you can marvel at the world’s fastest jetliner, the Concorde, one of only twenty ever built and the only one displayed on the West Coast. You won’t want to miss Pioneer Square, the cultural heart of Seattle that encompasses many of the most popular bars and nightclubs in the city and features over twenty city blocks of historic buildings, over thirty galleries and a vibrant retail sector. Don’t forget to save time to venture out to the major department and specialty stores, including the original Nordstrom.

Take the Monorail to the Seattle Center, home of the dramatic Space Needle which offers an one-of-a kind perspective on Seattle and the surrounding area: brilliant sunrises, romantic sunsets, ferries gliding across the bay, majestic Mount Rainier and hundreds of other aweinspiring images. Explore the amazing underwater world at the Seattle Aquarium. Walk along the waterfront and experience over a mile of restaurants, shops and excursion boats. Take a ferry on Puget Sound to view the spectacular Seattle sites.

When it comes to restaurants and nightspots, you can’t beat Seattle for variety and quality. Fresh seafood abounds along with fine American and ethnic cuisine. Enjoy lunch at Cutter’s overlooking Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains, the elegant atmosphere and juicy steaks of the Metropolitan Grill, or the variety of fresh and unique seafood at Ray’s Boathouse where you’ll see kayakers and harbor seals from the wide-windowed dining room. After dinner, head to Kelly’s, a festive Irish pub, or one of the many coffee houses for which Seattle is famous, including the original Starbucks.

If you’re a sports enthusiast, you can enjoy scenic golfing, or even catch a Seahawk or Mariners game. Just a short drive out of the city leads to river rafting, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and the impressive Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Do a little whale watching while you cruise over to the magnificent San Juan Islands. You may even want to extend your trip to explore nearby Vancouver and Victoria.

The elegant Grand Hyatt Seattle is ideally located in the heart of Seattle, with breath-taking views of downtown, the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, Lake Union and Elliott Bay surrounding the hotel on every side. With easy access to the Seattle’s many attractions, the hotel is within walking of Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum and premier shopping, including the original Nordstrom. Unwind at the end of the day in the in the sauna, steam room or whirlpool in the fully-equipped health club, or make an appointment in the spa for a massage. Meet with your colleagues for networking and relaxing at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, the hotel restaurant offering New Orleans’ hospitality and famous sizzling steaks.

Seattle and the Pacific Northwest have something for everyone. With these exquisite surroundings, your participation in this educational event will bring you only one drawback – saying goodbye to the memorable “Emerald City”.