It’s hard to find a hotel in Milwaukee with more character than The Iron Horse Hotel. Because of this, we are always happy to shoot any event there. We had a chance to sit down with catering sales manager Raven O’Hearn to learn more about the Iron Horse and what she loves about it.

The Interview

Adult beverage of choice? wine, Tito and club soda
Junk food of choice/guilty pleasure? Pizza, cheese curds

Favorite animal? I love cats! I have two of them
Best trip you ever went on and why? Road trip to New Hampshire, with my kids. Since we saw Niagara Falls and made a lot of cool memories.

What music makes up your favorite playlist? I love Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, REO Speedwagon. I also love music from the 80’s.
Tell me about your family & friends – what do you like to do together? cooking with family, going to the festivals

What is the history of the venue?
The building was built in 1907. Prior to it becoming The Iron Horse Hotel, it was a mattress factory! Since it is such an historical building, you can see cream city brick, original fire doors and other original features can be spotted throughout the property.

What types of corporate events you host?
We host all different types of corporate events but our sweet spot is retreats, trainings, and dinner meetings.

What are some fab features companies might not know about?
We have so many nooks and cranny’s around the building that are great for photo ops! Our Yard has recently been renovated and, as a result, makes a beautiful space for an outdoor lunch. Also, we customize your experience based on your specific needs.

What services are available in-house?

We have reception space, guest room blocks, one-stop shopping for local vendor recommendations, …pretty much anything you can think of!

Catering – in-house or bring your own?

In-house! I love it all but my favorite by far is the cheese curds! We have the best ones in town!

What do corporate clients forget to ask, but should?
What we offer for after meeting socials or dinners. We can offer some creative options to finish the meeting off right. Can the Yard be used for my event? Yes! Join us during lunch or a reception in the Yard to refresh your attendees.

Do you do corporate event planning too? If a client doesn’t have an event planner on
staff? Or do you suggest hiring a local planner?
We have an excellent Convention Services Manager, Carrie, that helps you think outside the box for your event and make you look like a rockstar.

Before picking a venue, I suggest…
Be willing to compromise on some things when it comes to your venue. You may love the venue, but it may be missing something you think you need. How important is it to you? Here at Iron Horse we do everything we can to make sure you get everything you want for your event!

To get in touch with the Iron Horse Hotel about your event, please check out their website!

To see more of our corporate event work work, please check out our portfolio!