There’s more to Los Angeles’ star status than its resident lineup of celebrities. The Downtown, Mid-City and Miracle Mile areas, along with nearby West Hollywood, boast an ever expanding list of arts and culture off-site venues that prove the depth of talent endemic to this SoCal centerpiece.

With a recent surge of growth, the cities of Southwest Michigan are ready to host more groups and events. New-builds and property restorations are drawing locals and visitors alike back to the downtown neighborhoods. Recently opened hotels have added to room counts, with more properties expected to debut later this year and early next, and convention center and venue projects are adding even more meeting square footage to this region.

Some might say Savannah is about as deep as you can go in the Deep South. But groups can go even deeper by visiting the neighborhoods in and around the city, discovering culture, nature and history while gaining a deeper appreciation for this seaside haven that is not only the state’s oldest city but one of its most photogenic.

Unveiled in June 2018, the new 31st-floor Observation Deck atop the CEB Tower in Rosslyn, Va., the tallest building inside the Beltway, is now the highest public space in the metropolitan D.C. area. Designed by Legends, the firm behind projects including One World Observatory in New York City and OUE Skyspace in Los Angeles, the 12,000-square-foot space includes a private event venue for 250, open-air terrace and cafe.

Planners have many teambuilding opportunities to choose from throughout Southern Ohio, including several that showcase the unique attributes of each destination. Groups can tap into Cincinnati’s brewing and baseball heritage, participate in the arts in Columbus and explore Dayton’s aviation history. Following are details about those and some other standout ideas, including ziplining above Warren County’s wilderness, for groups interested in adding a team-bonding activity to the meeting agenda.

Music of every genre, including rock, classical and jazz, is represented throughout Northern Ohio, where groups can easily include an activity or off-site gathering that incorporates a musical element. From Cleveland’s distinguished Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to music performances staged at Bowling Green State University’s new Wolfe Center for the Arts, the region’s music scene will be a hit with groups that would like to enhance the meeting with a melodic experience.

Activities that promote health and well-being have become an important part of meetings, and Ohio honors that trend with a wide variety of venues and events to keep attendees at their best. From salsa dancing in Cincinnati’s Fountain Square to hiking in Columbus or learning to sail in Cleveland, the Buckeye State knows how to make any group fit and relaxed.

The accolades are building. Dubbed by Thrillist earlier this year as “One of the Coolest Cities in America that Doesn’t Even Know It Yet” and “The best surprise in the Midwest,” by ESPN writer Myron Medcalf, Wichita, Kansas, is making its presence known.

The southwest region of Missouri has a secret: its three main towns, Springfield, Joplin and Branson, have a rich and diverse mix of art and entertainment venues. History takes the main stage in Springfield and Joplin with outlaws and Route 66, while Branson goes beyond its well-known country shows with venues dedicated to jazz, swing, classical and more.

"Talent wins games,” once said all-time basketball great Michael Jordan, whose three seasons at the University of North Carolina included making the winning jump shot as a freshman in the 1982 national championship game, “but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” Visit North Carolina, contracted by the North Carolina Department of Commerce to lead tourism development as a business unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, embraces this wisdom in its industry-specific marketing programs, sports included.