a NeW WaVe
Across the hall from the Reef event space , the “ Isthmus ” conference room can host conferences of up to 20 people . The Isthmus room is located near the main entrance of Building # 50 , and houses a long wooden table that is outfitted with cutting-edge conference technology . The Isthmus room also stands in close proximity to the six tall palm trees that are located west of Building # 50 ’ s central fountain , offering conference attendees a much-needed infusion of arboreal serenity and tranquil beachside energy on their way into their meetings . The aptly-named “ Sunset ” and “ Sunrise ” conference rooms are situated on the eastern and western ends of the concourse on the upper mezzanine level . The Sunset conference room provides breathtaking 180-degree views of Lake Champlain , and is an incredibly conducive space for brainstorming and team building .
In Building # 44 , the Delta Atrium can accommodate dozens of seated event attendees and up to 150 guests for a cocktail reception . The Delta Atrium provides easy access to the outdoor “ Great Lawn ,” which is bisected by a concrete walkway that leads toward additional on-site facilities .
70 VERMONT MAGAZINE
Surf ’ s Up !
The walls that frame the additional conference rooms in Building # 50 are emblazoned with fun and beachy names like “ Palm ,” “ Waves ,” “ Wind ,” and “ Barrel ,” which pay tribute to Russ Scully ’ s lifelong love of surfing . Although the combination of aquatic board sports and tech venture capitalism might seem surreal and divergent to an outside observer , Scully has managed to gracefully integrate his two passions over the course of his career . Scully ’ s enthusiastic reverence for surf culture played a central role in influencing the design and layout of the HULA campus , which also serves as the home of the Burlington Surf Club .
Long before Scully acquired the Blodgett Oven factory and brought HULA into existence with the help of his fellow team members , he sharpened his surfing skills through a series of trips to the shores of California and New Jersey during his teenage years and his early adulthood . After Scully moved to Vermont and founded a successful tech business , Scully Interactive , Scully and his wife , Roxanne , opened two successful surf-themed restaurants in Burlington : The Spot on
Shelburne Road and The Spot on the Dock on King Street . They also opened a thriving surf and skate shop called WND & WVS on Pine Street , and expanded their business portfolio to include the Villa Playa Maria surf hotel in Rincón , Puerto Rico . By capitalizing on an untapped market niche in Burlington with surf-themed restaurants and a well-stocked board sports store , Russ Scully was able to make a lasting impression on the Burlington business scene . He became an active member of several regional economic organizations , such as the Burlington Business Association , which helped him bring his vision for HULA into reality . Today , the Burlington Surf Club operates out of an outdoor area on the HULA campus that is outfitted with several wooden outbuildings . Rentals of paddleboards , wingboards , and kiteboards are offered to all members and visitors for a nominal fee , and lessons are also available . Group events are being planned for the near future , as well as summer windsurfing camps for kids and young teenagers .
As an active member of the Burlington Surf Club , Scully encourages all of HULA ’ s team members to join and participate .