Event Spaces

A collage of event spaces on the Simmons campus

From meeting rooms and event spaces to housing, dining, and AV support, Simmons offers a range of options that can be tailored to the needs of your program.

Find the right space for your event


Browse available spaces to find options that fit your needs.

If you would like more information on any room or space, please contact us.

These large spaces are customizable for a variety of events.

Linda K. Paresky Conference Center set up with round tables

Linda K. Paresky Conference Center

Size: 3520 square feet

Capacity: 300 people 

Description: Spacious event hall with flexible seating arrangements ideal for conferences, lectures, presentations, and large group programs.

Mayor Wu speaks at International Women’s Day at Simmons

The Linda K. Paresky Conference Center is our premier event venue, offering a flexible, open space for conferences, banquets, receptions, keynote presentations, and other large gatherings. 

Capacity and Room Setups 

Theater: 300 
Banquet: 200 

Many members of the Simmons community attended the Fall 2025 Community Read event with Dr. Uché Blackstock

Room Highlights 

  • Premier conference and event venue 
  • Accommodates up to 300 guests 
  • Flexible seating configurations 
  • Built-in audio/visual technology 

 

Artist's rendering of the event space on the 16th floor of the Living and Learning Center at Simmons University

LLC 16th Floor Event Space

Available beginning January, 2027

Size: 1446 square feet

Capacity: 220 people 

Description: Bright 16th-floor event space with panoramic city views and flexible seating arrangements ideal for receptions, meetings, presentations, and special programs.

The view of the Boston skyline from the 16th floor of the Living and Learning Center at Simmons University

Located on the top floor of the Living and Learning Center, the 16th Floor Event Space offers panoramic views of Boston and a sophisticated setting for conferences, receptions, meetings, and special events. 

Capacity and Room Setups 

Theater: 220 
Banquet: 120 
Reception: 150 
Hollow Square: 48 
Classroom: 72 

Room Highlights 

  • Panoramic views of the Boston skyline 
  • Modern conference and event space 
  • Flexible room configurations 
  • Built-in audiovisual technology 
  • Ideal for both daytime and evening events
Rooms C520-521 setup up theater style for presentations

C-520/521 (Helen C. Drinan Hall)

Size: 1939 square feet 

Capacity: 140 

Description: Large multi-purpose meeting with flexible seating arrangements for trainings, workshops, breakout sessions, and presentations.

Rooms C520-521 setup up banquet style with tables and chairs

A spacious, divisible meeting room that can be used as one large space or separated into two rooms, making it ideal for conferences, breakout sessions, trainings, and presentations.

Capacity and Room Setups

Theater: 140 
Banquet: 96 
Hollow square (in ½ - 964 sq ft): 40 
Classroom: 60 

Rooms C520-521 setup up banquet style with table settings and event decor

Room Highlights 

  • Dividable room that can be configured as one large space or two separate meeting rooms
  • Dedicated lobby area ideal for registration, check-in, or exhibitor displays 
  • Flexible space for refreshments or buffet service inside the room or in the adjacent lobby 
  • Built-in audiovisual technology
The Kotzen Room set up for a banquet with round tables and a view of the large windows

Kotzen Room

Size: 1222 square feet

Capacity: 80 

Description: Multi-purpose event space with flexible setup options for meetings, receptions, presentations, and dining events.

The Kotzen Room set up for a dinner banquet with round tables and a view of the windows

A flexible meeting space with natural light well suited for workshops, trainings, presentations, seminars, and small conferences.

Capacity and Room Setups 

Theater: 80 
Banquet: 56 
Hollow square: 40 
U-shaped: 35 

The Kotzen Room set up for a banquet with round tables and a view of the large windows

Room Highlights 

  • Direct access to a private outdoor patio 
  • Adjacent lobby area for registration, networking, or refreshment breaks 
  • Flexible layouts for meetings, workshops, and receptions 
  • Ideal for events that benefit from both indoor and outdoor gathering space 
  • Built-in audiovisual technology
Room C503 setup in classroom style with an aisle down the middle of rectangular tables

C-503 Executive Dining Room

Size: 747 square feet

Capacity: 48 

Description: Private event space with natural light and flexible seating for meetings, dining events, and small receptions.

Executive Dining Room (C-503)

An elegant meeting and dining space ideal for executive meetings, board dinners, presentations, and small receptions.

Capacity and Room Setups 

Theater: 48 
Banquet: 48 
Hollow square: 24 
U-shaped: 20 

Room C503 setup in banquet style with round tables and a skyline view

Room Highlights 

  • Expansive views of the Boston skyline 
  • Private outdoor terrace overlooking the city 
  • Intimate setting for executive meetings and private dining 
  • Natural light and elegant finishes create a welcoming atmosphere 
  • Built-in audiovisual technology

 

A wall in the Trustman Gallery adorned with student work

Trustman Art Gallery

Size: 1660 square feet

Capacity: 50 

Description: Open gallery-style space well suited for receptions, networking events, exhibitions, and social gatherings.

Knight Foundation Board Room

Knight Foundation Board Room

Size: 925 square feet 

Capacity: 30 people 

Description: Modern boardroom with conference-style seating designed for meetings, strategic planning sessions, and small group discussions.

The Knight Board Room with display case full of Gwen Ifill memorabilia

A polished boardroom designed for executive meetings, presentations, and collaborative discussions. The room features a spacious conference table, natural light, and built-in technology. 

Capacity 

  • 30

Room Highlights

The Knight Board Room
  • Built-in presentation and conferencing technology
  • Windows along one wall provide natural light
  • Large conference table with seating for up to 30 guests
  • Credenza and counter space for catering and refreshments
  • Professional setting ideal for board meetings, executive sessions, and presentations

From our large academic quad to smaller, more intimate patios, we offer several outdoor event spaces. Several of them are adjacent to larger indoor spaces, providing more flexibility for event guests.

The Simmons University quad with the Boston skyline in the background

Academic Quad

Capacity: 1000 people 

Description: Open green space at the center of campus with views of the Boston skyline, ideal for outdoor gatherings, receptions, ceremonies, and seasonal events.

The Simmons quad setup for an event with scattered standing tables
The Simmons University quad in summer
The Kotzen Patio with the Living and Learning Center in the background

Kotzen Patio

Capacity: 50 people 

Description: Outdoor courtyard space ideal for receptions, casual gatherings, dining events, and seasonal programming.

The 5th Floor Terrace in Drinan Hall with a view of the Boston skyline in the background

Drinan Hall 5th Floor Terrace

Capacity: 50 people 

Description: Open-air rooftop terrace with city views suitable for receptions, networking events, and outdoor gatherings.

An artist rendering of the terrace on the 4th floor of the Living and Learning Center

LLC 4th Floor Terrace

Available beginning January, 2027

Size: 1398 square feet 

Capacity: 60 people 

Description: Open-air 4th-floor terrace designed for flexible use, including receptions, social gatherings, and special programs.

We have a number of classroom and lecture hall spaces available.

Room A-152

Room A-152

Size: 1728 square feet

Capacity: 149 

Description: Lecture hall with theater-style seating ideal for presentations, lectures, keynote speakers, and large group sessions.

A standard lecture hall at Simmons University

C-220 & 221

Size: 1636 square feet 

Capacity: 68 

Description: Tiered seminar-style classroom with table seating designed for lectures, presentations, and group discussion.

A standard classroom at Simmons University

Standard Classroom

Size: Varies 

Description: Standard classroom with tablet-style seating suitable for lectures, presentations, and small group discussions.

Available beginning in January, 2027

Artist rendering of a person sitting on bleachers overloookin the pool in the new Living and Learning Center on the Simmons University campus
Artist rendering

The Living & Learning Center's Athletic & Recreation Center offers modern fitness and recreation facilities available for conference and summer program participants. Amenities include an NCAA-compliant swimming pool, fitness center, gymnasium, and multipurpose recreation spaces. 

Available amenities may include: 

  • Fitness center with cardio and strength equipment 
  • Eight-lane NCAA-compliant swimming pool 
  • Full-size gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball 
  • Multipurpose recreation and training spaces 
A rendering of students playing volleyball while fans look on from the bleachers in the gymnasium of the new Living and Learning Center
Artist rendering

Learn more about Athletic Facilities 

A rendering of students eating, studying, and moving through the Dining Hall within the new Living and Learning Center
Artist rendering

New dining hall opening in January, 2027

Our dining hall offers a variety of fresh dining options to support conference groups, summer programs, and overnight guests. Menus are designed to accommodate a range of dietary preferences and include features such as an allergy-friendly station, salad bar, stone-fired pizza, smoothies, and made-to-order selections.

Learn more about Dining Services