Make your event one to remember at LCCC's John A. Spitzer Conference Center
By Patricia Nugent
Whether it’s a corporate meeting, bridal or baby shower, lecture series, graduation party, or wedding gala, the John A. Spitzer Conference Center has opened its doors to social events complete with catering.
Tucked back on the leafy campus of Lorain County Community College, the building features a grand lobby, several sizes of private party rooms and a host of classrooms to fit any occasion.
In March 2018, an ambitious renovation to freshen the décor and make it even more appealing and multifunctional began.
Granting Any Wish List
“What makes us different from other local venues?” asks Dean Johnson, who coordinates the events.
“I would say the client experience. Though we offer a variety of packages, that’s just a starting point. Our executive chef, Chase Wilcox, is super creative and loves working with people to customize their event and make it truly one of a kind.”
As a three-time Best Caterer of Lorain County Award winner, Chef Wilcox excels at bringing people’s visions to life and creating memorable meals, from a formal waited white tablecloth dinner, to a casual boxed lunch.
A few examples from the past include Chef Wilcox creating a spectacular three-dimensional representation of the LCCC logo in cupcakes, as well as ice sculptures of guitars, and a Dolly Parton-themed western night. An on-site
pastry chef provides all of the sweets to cap off any event.
Spitzer Conference Center has hosted major events for hundreds, such as corporate functions, non-profit fundraisers and sports banquets.
The team also goes the extra mile by offering valet parking and local shuttle service.
An Elegant Venue
Overlooking a charming courtyard and wooded landscape, the majestic Reaser Grand Room seats 360. Grand in every sense of the word, it is fronted by two stories of glass and a winding circular staircase to the second floor.
Through glass doors adjacent to the Grand Room is the lobby of the Norton Culinary Arts building, which is a refreshingly modern space with steel and glass walls and a soaring ceiling. Dean says guests often hold their cocktail reception in this space, then proceed into the Grand Room for dinner and dancing.
In addition to these spaces, they have a host of specialty labs, including computer, TV and kitchen as well as smaller breakout rooms perfect for corporate events, such as trainings.
“Our audio-visual offerings are state-of-the-art,” says Marcus Wagner, who manages conferences and catering. “We offer laptops, projectors, sound and more with professional on-site staff for technical support.”
Off-Site Catering
Due to popular demand for its inventive cuisine, LCCC has begun offering catering at off-site venues, including the comfort of your own home.
“We will do as little or as much as is needed,” says Dean. “We can do a simple drop off or pickup order to a waited full-service meal featuring on-site servers, upscale linens and china service.”
He says Chef Wilcox’s catering menu goes above and beyond the regular menu, with a sophisticated cuisine that focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
Hailing from New Mexico, the chef asserts a flair for big, bold flavors. One of his signature dishes is the Southwest Salad, with blackened salmon atop a bed of greens, red peppers, corn, queso fresco and fried tortilla chips with cilantro ranch dressing.
The Just-Right Spot for Celebrating Your Vows
“After our first few weddings hosted here, word got out and we’ve been getting a lot more calls,” says wedding expert Amber Cabassa.
“Brides and grooms love that we offer three rooms with any bridal package, the Reaser Grand Room, the intimate Culinary Lobby for cocktails before dinner and a concierge suite for the bridal party to use throughout the event.”
Another perk is there are no surprises in terms of cost. Inclusive wedding packages include the Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s.
The Associate’s features four hours of open bar with call brand liquor, an hors d’oeuvres station, your choice of two dinner entrees served buffet style and late-night coffee and dessert stations.
With the Bachelor’s package, you enjoy the same, but with top-shelf liquor, waited hors d’oeuvres and waited sit-down dinner service.
For the ultimate Master’s Package, the wedding includes top-shelf liquor plus a signature cocktail of the bride and groom’s choosing, passed hors d’oeuvres, and a wider variety of entrees, such as filet mignon.
And part of any package is the technical wizardry at Spitzer, including sound and specialty lighting to keep the party going.
“Now is our busy planning season,” says Amber. “Most weddings we cater are in May through September.”
The John A. Spitzer Conference Center at Lorain County Community College is located at 1005 North Abbe Road. Call 440-366-4100 for more information. Visit the Facebook page for fabulous photos of events the center has hosted. For wedding inquiries, call Amber Cabassa at 440-366-7899.