Name: 5th Annual The Empower Freedom Conference 2026
Start: 2026-10-16
End: 2026-10-16

Holiday Inn Eau Claire South takes lodging to a whole new level. Located off Interstate 94, this hotel is a smart choice for both business and leisure travelers. With over 4300 square feet of striking banquet and meeting room facilities the hotel is equipped with state of the art features conducive to meetings, wedding receptions and other social gatherings. Holiday Inn features Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, offering an upscale dining experience. “Hot Steaks, Hot Music, Hot Italian – Cool Place.” Johnny’s illuminated lighting creates an air of mystique and privacy.

Interested in booking an event at Holiday Inn Eau Claire South? Contact our Director of Sales at TConnolly@larsonmanagement.com.

Holiday Inn Eau Claire South & Johnny's Italian Steakhouse

Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse is reminiscent of the classic supper clubs of the 1940’s and 1950’s where no one was a stranger. Johnny’s is not considered to be a stuffy fine dining restaurant, but rather a personification of its mantra "Hot Steaks, Hot Music, Hot Italian…Cool Place!" It blends the traditions of the past with the present by adding a touch of class with a lot of edge. The restaurant is warm and welcoming with illuminated lighting creating an air of mystique and privacy. Heavy velvet draperies will not only add to the aura but create opportunities for intimate and private dining space within the restaurant. Classic sounds of Frank, Dean and Sammy Davis, Jr. as well as contemporary crooners like Michael Buble and Harry Connick Jr. surround you, giving the place an aura and rhythm all of it’s own. With new-fashioned luxuries and old-fashioned service and relationships, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse brings the Rat pack era into the 21st Century. Johnny’s steaks take center stage, whether it is the classic Steak DeBurgo or the ever-popular Drunken Steak. The Italian menu also features well developed traditional entrees and unique creations like the Veal Sinatra and Chanel No. 5. A glowing neon blue bar invites you to enjoy classic martinis, specialty cocktails or wine off an extensive list. All of which sets Johnny’s stage for lunch or dinner. The seamless transition between the hotel and Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse allows hotel guests to experience dining excellence. The new location will offer custom menus to accommodate business meetings, holiday parties, private dining, rehearsal dinners and family gatherings.

Johnny's Italian Steakhouse

At Candlewood Suites® Eau Claire i94 our extended-stay guests are given all the comforts of home and treated like family. Located off of the I-94 freeway and Hwy. 53, Candlewood Suites® Eau Claire i94 is less than a mile from Oakwood Mall and AMC Theaters and surrounded by a variety of popular restaurants.

We give you the amenities that make you feel right at home with extra space to rest and relax, including fully equipped kitchens in every suite. Shopping, dining and great nightlife are only a short drive away. Within a 15 minute drive, you can enjoy the hustle & bustle of the Eau Claire downtown or Pablo Center at the Confluence.

Take time to enjoy some of the local attractions: Carson Park, The Children’s Museum Eau Claire, a variety of local breweries and wineries such as Infinity Beverages, Monk’s Brewery or the historical Leinie Lodge. Wisconsin is known for its cheese so don’t forget to check out our many shops with delicious local offerings.

After a long day of work or play, enjoy an evening in our Gazebo relaxing or fire up the grill to prepare your favorite dish. When you are craving a late night snack, grab a treat from our Candlewood Cupboard®, open 24-hours. Just want to relax in your room? That is easy to do with our free high-speed internet and our Dish Network® featuring Showtime® with a large channel selection. Don’t forget about our complimentary self-laundry facilities or large fitness center.

Candlewood Suites

Welcome to Noodleville! Serving Asian, European and American cuisine, sauteed and grilled-to-order, Noodles & Company blends a global influence with convenient and welcoming service, honest value, and comfortable atmosphere! Dine-in, take out and catering available.

Noodles & Company

Fuji Sushi & Steakhouse is a wonderful full service steakhouse and sushi bar that combines fresh sushi with authentic Japanese hibachi entrees. All prepared in front of you as you sit at the grill and watch your dish being made from start to finish. Free $25 gift card on your Birthday!

Happy Hour Specials

4pm-6pm Mon-Thurs

Rail Drinks &House wine Specials

99 cents 14oz Draft Beers

Buy 2 Dinners & receive a select FREE Appetizer.

Summer Specials

Starting July 1st - September 30th

$6.99 lunch specials from 11-2 Monday - Thursday

$6.99 lunch specials from 11-4 Friday  
  
FREE $25 gift certificate for the birthday person. Requires purchase of 4 adult dinner entrees and proof of ID.

\*See website for full details and their weekly specials.

Fuji Sushi & Steak House

Northern Tap House celebrates the things that make us all happy. Brick oven pizza, 100% angus burgers, delicious wings, and an elaborate craft beer selection with an emphasis on rotating local taps. All with the goals of providing a food and drink experience unlike any other restaurant in Eau Claire.

Northern Tap House

Located conveniently off of I-94 and Hwy 53, Baymont by Wyndham Eau Claire is pleased to provide our guests with exceptional service and quality amenities at an affordable price. Each morning we invite our guests to join us for our complimentary hot breakfast with items such as scrambled eggs and sausage, biscuits and gravy, french toast, waffles, pancakes, fresh fruit and so much more. Each room includes free Wi-Fi, refrigerator and microwave. Take a dip in our indoor heated pool or get your heart pumping in our fitness center.

Baymont by Wyndham Eau Claire

#### Provides makeup, brow, and lash services. A welcoming, clean, judgment free space for anyone that books services.

Stripped Wax and Beauty

The Otter Creek dog park features 9 fenced-in acres, an area for small dogs and walking trails. Water is available for dogs May - October. The park is open year round on daily basis until dusk. All visitors to the dog park must purchase either an annual dog park license or pay a daily use fee. Daily passes may be purchased at the park.

Otter Creek Off-Leash Dog Park

Akame Sushi is a family-friendly restaurant that serves amazing sushi and all-you-can-eat. Let Akame Sushi take you on a delicious experience with our sushi and Japanese dishes that are always rich in flavour. Their menu features delicious sushi, sashimi, donburi, teppanyaki, and much more!

Akame Sushi

Share your stories, your ideas, your afternoon. Share your Panera. Make Panera Bread your meeting place - for book groups or work sessions, for a morning or quiet afternoon, for whatever brings you together. It's your space here: warm and inviting, comfortable, plenty of room to spread out and talk together, or just catch up together. And all of them have free Wi-Fi to get things done.

The best thing about meeting at Panera is Panera itself. You can get together while enjoying fresh artisan breads and baked goods, soups, sandwiches, salads and more. There's something special for everyone. So consider it your Panera, whenever. Stay and share as long as you like.

Via Panera Catering is perfect for office meetings and other occasions for groups of five or more. Choose from the best of Panera - breakfast bagels and pastries, hearty sandwiches and soups, refreshing salads, scrumptious cookies and brownies. Your order will arrive ready to serve with everything you need, including plates, bowls, utensils and napkins. Via Panera makes your meeting planning easy for you. Just call your Via Panera coordinator to make arrangements. From your first call to your pick-up time, your coordinator will make sure your order is right and ready when you need it.

Panera Bread Bakery Cafe

House of Gouda stands out as a top-tier spot for charcuterie enthusiasts, providing a wide range of cheeses and supplies to elevate the charcuterie experience. Established in February 2023, our primary goal is to provide customers with premium and reliable products.

In February of 2024, we added an ice cream parlor that complements our savory selection, catering to a range of preferences and events.

House of Gouda

Located in western Wisconsin, Eau Claire offers sports planners a destination that's easy to reach, easy to navigate, and ready to host. Just 90 minutes from the Minneapolis–St. Paul area and within driving distance of Chicago, Eau Claire is well positioned to welcome teams, athletes, and fans from across the Midwest.

A versatile mix of indoor and outdoor venues supports events across a wide range of sports and competition levels, with tournament-ready fields, courts, ice facilities, pools, trails, and large-scale indoor spaces. Hotels, restaurants, venues, and visitor amenities are conveniently located throughout the community, making it easy for teams to get where they need to be throughout the event.

Visit Eau Claire's sports team works alongside event organizers to help bring the details together, connecting planners with venues, accommodations, local resources, and destination support.

And there's plenty waiting beyond the competition. Eau Claire's walkable downtown, local restaurants and breweries, miles of trails, public art, live music, family attractions, and the Chippewa River give athletes and their families more to experience between games and after the final whistle.

Eau Claire has the facilities to host the event and the destination experience to make the trip worth it.**** Bring the competition, bring the crowd, and come as you are — Eau Claire is ready to host.

Visit Eau Claire

An annual conference on the subject of local human trafficking. This year features JoDee Neil, Crimes Against Children prosecutor and author of Outcry Witness, and Jenny Almquist, Founder of Fierce Freedom, as they and others share powerful insights on advocacy, survivor-centered care, prevention, sustainable justice work, and the power of community.

5th Annual The Empower Freedom Conference 2026

Want to learn more about the area and event? Ask our friendly tour guide.

About 5th Annual The Empower Freedom Conference 2026

Places to eat, shop & play near this event

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Where this happens

Near Holiday Inn Eau Claire South & Johnny's Italian Steakhouse