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Extension Conference Centers celebrates 50 years of providing a "roof for the Wisconsin Idea"

It's been nearly 50 years since the first UW-Extension conference center opened on the UW-Madison campus. Dedicated on April 11, 1958, the Wisconsin Center for Adult Education, now The Pyle Center, was the result of the University of Wisconsin Foundation's first capital campaign to provide a "roof for the Wisconsin Idea."

Providing facilities, services and technology

Today three facilities collectively known as the Extension Conference Centers (ECC)—The Pyle Center, The Lowell Center and The J.F. Friedrick Center—provide an exclusive venue for groups affiliated with the UW System and other educational, governmental and nonprofit organizations. True to its original purpose, ECC continues to support extending the knowledge and resources of the university to the borders of the state. In fact, it expands the Wisconsin Idea even further by serving conferees from all over the world.

ECC has a rich history and stellar reputation for first-rate meeting and lodging facilities, event-planning and registration services, distance-communications technologies, catering and customer service. Known internationally for comfort, convenience and comprehensiveness, ECC has hosted tens of thousands of continuing education and professional development programs ranging from hour-long meetings to elaborate weeklong multisite conferences. From July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007, ECC hosted more than 2,000 events that served nearly 82,000 conferees.

Changing to meet customer needs

Over the years, ECC has upgraded its facilities and services to correspond with new technologies, changing demographics, and the needs of an increased number of discerning customers.

In 1997 the Wisconsin Center was expanded and rededicated as The Pyle Center. The expansion included computer-teaching labs and distance-education classrooms with audio-, video- and web-conferencing capabilities that connect people in the room, across the state and around the world.

More recently, all 81 guest rooms and seven classrooms at The Lowell Center, 610 Langdon St., Madison, were refurbished and a major renovation transformed the center's main entrances, lounges and administrative areas. Fifty-two more guest rooms are scheduled to be added soon.

Current improvements underway at The Pyle Center include the construction of a new rooftop terrace overlooking Lake Mendota and a major technology upgrade for distance-education purposes.

Celebrating 50 years

To commemorate ECC's 50-year milestone, a number of special events are scheduled for the week of April 7-11 at The Pyle Center. They include:

• Exhibits featuring photos, a historical timeline, print archives and other memorabilia showing the evolution of ECC over the past 50 years
• A key customer showcase recognizing the mutually beneficial relationships that allow ECC to fulfill the Wisconsin Idea. Displays will feature information about the programs and services provided by several of ECC's key institutional customers, including university departments and divisions, state agencies and nonprofit organizations.
• Guided tours
• An evening program and reception for the UW Board of Regents and key customers, supporters and stakeholders on April 10. The program will include speaker presentations, refreshments, entertainment and—weather permitting—the debut of The Pyle Center's new rooftop terrace.

By Karen Reppen, marketing specialist, Extension Conference Centers

For more information:
conferencing.uwex.edu
Karen Reppen
Marketing Specialist
Extension Conference Centers
UW-Extension
(608) 890-0392
karen.reppen@ecc.uwex.edu