Boise. (Idaho).

Boise's secret is out: Idaho's capital city offers business travelers a rare blend of urban attractions and remote riches, and some of the finest meeting facilities around.

Boise Centre on the Grove is the city's convention center, with 85,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space. Designed for convenience and versatility, the center is gearing up for an expansion that would add up to 60,000 square feet of space and double its meeting capacity by early 2004. The facility is within walking distance of nearly 1,000 hotel rooms, fine restaurants, shops, and surprises, like scenic Kathryn Albertson Park in the heart of downtown.

Other local meeting venues include the Bank of America Centre, with a 5,000-seat arena that can accommodate trade shows of up to 25,000 square feet; Boise State University's 29,000 square feet of space and 25 meeting rooms; and the Morrison Center, Western Idaho Fairgrounds, and Idaho Center for nontraditional event opportunities. Boise's new Northwest Lodge offers intimate, rustic Accommodations and limited meeting space just right for smaller executive sessions and get-away-from-it-all group gatherings.