Luxury suites at the Convocation Center are one way to upgrade the viewing experience at athletic and other events.

The arena is home to six suites, three of which are available to rent out for events.

The other three suites are owned corporately by National Bank and Trust of Sycamore; Ideal Industries; and Jim and Linda Mason and are not available to rent out, said Kevin Selover, marketing manager for the Convocation Center.

Suites can hold 25 people and offer many amenities, such as a personal suite attendant, wet bar, refrigerator, television, contemporary furniture and 22 plush seats to watch the game. There also are a variety of food choices, Selover said. The suites also have several round tables with stool seating where the event can be viewed.

While most suites hold 25 people, the Nelson suite can seat 70 people, with the option of dividing it into two separate suites to hold 35 people each.

Selover said the Nelson suite always is offered first to NIU President John Peters. If Peters declines use of it, they rent it out, he said.

“The suite is fantastic; everyone who uses it just raves about it. But I haven’t had the time to use it all that much,” Peters said.

Peters said he used the suite during a rock concert last year and invited all the university student leaders to use it.

Selover said the suites were all rented out in advance for the O.A.R. and Staind concerts earlier this month.

As soon as events are announced, the suites typically get rented out, Selover said, which is what happened when the Brooks & Dunn concert was announced last month.

Although suites are rented out for concerts at the arena, people also rent them out to watch NIU basketball games.

The price for renting a suite during a men’s basketball game is $1,250 and $800 during women’s games, Selover said.

Selover said businesses rent out the majority of suites at athletic events, while private parties rent out the majority of suites for other events.

He also said they have had many alumni rent out the suites.

“For concerts and other events, we have the price varies,” he said. “But the general rule of thumb, for an all-inclusive package, you’re looking anywhere between $60 and $100 per person.”

Selover said the price varies for events depending on ticket prices and what food and drinks are chosen.

In the distant future, the Convocation Center would like to continue the concourse all the way around the building, Selover said. If that renovation happens, the addition of more suites would be looked at closely, he said.

“If we could do it all over again, I’m sure that we would have added more suites,” Selover said.