With its Mountain State moniker and “Wild and Wonderful” tourism tagline, West Virginia is a 24,244-square-mile enclave of outdoor recreation, as well as a land of historical small towns, five scenic national byways, heritage trails, and country roads, not to mention stunning fall foliage.
While it has a population of only 1.8 million people, West Virginia is 75 percent forest but with enough diversity for it to be split into eight distinct travel regions.
“We’re an escape destination,” says Liz Chewning, state travel director at the West Virginia Division of Tourism. “We’re mainly a drive market where people can escape traffic, unwind and recharge their batteries. For meetings, we have unique places that can make for that special experience.”
This spring the state will embark on an ad campaign under the “Wild and Wonderful” umbrella—with “West Virginia is Calling” as its tagline—to again tempt tourists and meeting attendees, especially from target markets such as Pittsburgh; Columbus, Ohio; Charlotte, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; Baltimore; and Washington, D.C.
West Virginia promotes its affordability as well as its accessibility, with half of the country’s population living within 500 miles and almost every major Eastern city within a day’s drive, while its outdoor adventure and recreational opportunities are premier draws for leisure visitors and business groups. Skiing, white-water rafting, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and golfing are all on the menu. It is known for its Gauley rapids and Class V rafting, but there are eight other rivers with outfitters ready to help novices develop memorable experiences. Hundreds of miles of rail lines are now hiking trails. And of its many championship golf courses, six in the eastern highlands have been designated with Legends of Golf Trail status.
No matter how attendees choose to experience it, West Virginia offers something for every type of groups.
Resort Areas
Within a short drive of cities small by Eastern city standards—Chewning notes that there is not one HOV lane in the state—visitors are in a natural playground.
The New River/Greenbrier Valley region flanking Virginia boasts one of the world’s top resorts: the Greenbrier at White Sulphur Springs, with more than 800 rooms, three golf courses, a spa, 85,000 square feet of meeting space, and a history that extends back to 1778.
For the first time since World War II, the resort closed Jan. 3 for upgrades and plans to reopen April 1 with a new nightclub, a new restaurant and upgraded main-building guest rooms. More guest rooms will be renovated and two new restaurants will be opened when the $50 million project is completely finished in the first quarter of 2008.
Less than 10 miles away, Lewisburg is home to the 162-room Brier Inn and Conference Center, with 9,000 square feet of meeting space. Also in the region at Daniels is the Resort at Glade Springs, which added a 50-room boutique hotel to its accommodations in December 2005 and has more than 15,000 square feet of meeting space and two championship golf courses.
The Potomac Highlands in the Allegheny Range is home to three of the state’s four ski areas and the state’s largest resort: Snowshoe Mountain. With more than 1,300 accommodation units, its outdoor activities range from skiing to golfing and mountain biking. Last summer, the resort unveiled a new 15,400-square-foot expo center, bringing its total meeting and event space to 40,000 square feet.
To the northwest, the 250-room Canaan Valley Resort and State Park has 17,000 square feet of meeting space, a ski area and a golf course.
The Mountain Lakes region in the center of the state features the IACC-certified, 198-room Stonewall Resort, managed by Benchmark Hospitality International. Located in the 2,000-acre Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park, the 4-year-old resort has championship golf, a spa and 14,000 square feet of conference space.
Charleston
Charleston, situated along the Kanawha River, is West Virginia’s capital and largest city.
Charleston Civic Center provides four venues for groups: a coliseum, a 3,400-seat auditorium, a 750-seat theater, and a convention center with a 50,000-square-foot exhibit hall.
Across from the facility are the 100-plus stores and restaurants of Town Center Mall, and there are 1,750 hotel rooms within walking distance.
Among the city’s meetings-ready properties are the 347-room Charleston Marriott Town Center and the 253-room Embassy Suites, both with around 15,000 square feet of function space, as well as the Holiday Inn Charleston House, with 13,000 square feet of meeting space.
Attractions in the city include the State Capitol Complex, the Capitol Market, the Clay Center for Arts and Sciences, and the Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center.
Todd Markle, spokesperson for the Charleston CVB, says the number of citywide conventions has increased since the bureau launched an incentive program in early 2005.
“We have three golf courses close by, white-water rafting 45 minutes away on the New River and skiing one hour away at Winterplace [near Daniels],” he says.
The area, part of the New River/Greenbrier Valley region, boasts a range of attractions.
New River Gorge near Fayetteville is home to the 876-foot-high New River Gorge Bridge, site of an annual October event with base jumpers using parachutes in what is billed as the “world’s largest extreme sports event.”
Other lures include the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine; Bramwell, a small town with mansions of early 1900s mining entrepreneurs; and Daniel Vineyards, the largest of the state’s dozen wineries.
The area also features Tamarack, one of the state’s top attractions. The 50,000-square-foot retail showplace offers state products that range from arts and crafts to books. Adjoining Tamarack and available for rent is a 22,500-square-foot education and conference center.
Huntington
Huntington, the state’s second-largest city, is set along the Ohio River, with Ohio located just across the water. Established as a river hub and railway terminal in the late 19th century, Huntington is also a college town, home to Marshall University.
We Are Marshall, the film starring Matthew McConaughey, was released in late December. It is based on the story of the aftermath of a charter plane crash in 1970 that killed most members of the Marshall football team.
The cast and crew are featured in a five-minute promotional presentation on West Virginia as a tourist destination, which will be included in the DVD version of the movie.
“The word is that the actors and crew all enjoyed their stay in Huntington, and the town was already operating tours of the filming locations before the movie came out,” the West Virginia Division of Tourism’s Chewning says.
Huntington’s major meeting facility is the Big Sandy Superstore Arena and Conference Center, with more than 80,000 square feet of event space and 500 hotel rooms nearby.
Its largest meetings property is the 202-room Radisson Hotel Huntington, with more than 20,000 square feet of function space.
Morgantown
Located in the Appalachian foothills on the Monongahela River, Morgantown is the focal point of the state’s Mountaineer Country region.
With 1,300 hotel rooms, it is also a hub on the Interstate 79 corridor, running from Pittsburgh down to Charleston.
Home of West Virginia University, which has a 4,000-seat coliseum and more than 10,000 square feet of function space, it offers a range of nearby outdoor pursuits, including hiking, river rafting, golfing, and cross-country skiing.
East of town above Cheat Lake, the 187-room Lakeview Resort and Conference Center provides two championship golf courses and 23,000 square feet of meeting space.
Downtown Morgantown features the 3-year-old, 206-room Hotel at Waterfront Place, which was a Radisson until it became independent last June. It has 10,000 square feet of meeting space and was built as part of the revitalization of the town’s historic wharf area.
Seventeen miles south of Morgantown is Fairmont, where the $87 million Volcano Island Resort on the Monongahela River is slated to open in 2008 with 300 suites, a 30,000-square-foot conference center, and indoor and outdoor water parks.
Another 20 miles south of Fairmont is Bridgeport, where the Bridgeport Conference Center, with 15,000 square feet of meeting space, debuted last April. A 116-room Wingate Inn adjoins the center, while a nearby Microtel opened in September.
Wheeling
Wheeling, the Northern Panhandle region’s major city, began as a frontier post on the Ohio River and expanded to become a 19th century industrial center. The destination offers a diverse range of meeting spaces.
The WesBanco Arena is its all-purpose civic facility, seating 6,000 and featuring two meeting venues that can each accommodate 300.
More than 20,000 square feet of meeting space is offered at the 212-room Oglebay Resort and Conference Center, part of the 1,650-acre Oglebay Park, a popular attraction offering a zoo, boating, fishing, and 72 holes of golf.
Meanwhile, the IACC-certified Mountainside Conference Center at Bethany has a 125-seat amphitheater and nine breakout rooms.
Gatherings can be mixed with greyhound racing at the Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center, another popular attraction that has a 151-room hotel with three conference rooms, the largest with a capacity for 300.
Thoroughbred racing is a highlight of Chester, located 50 miles north of Wheeling. Chester’s 3,200-slot Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort has two hotels with a total of 359 rooms and 39,000 square feet of meeting space.
Eastern Panhandle
The Eastern Panhandle region provides an escape from the metro areas of northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
A national byway, the Washington Heritage Trail, connects its historic towns and sites. It begins at Harper’s Ferry, where John Brown began his insurrection, and nearby Charles Town, where he was hanged. Here, function space and thoroughbred races are available at the Charles Town Races and Slots.
In 1777, George Washington and others bought land at the mineral spring-rich Berkeley Springs, a town that promotes itself as the “country’s first spa.” Located 90 minutes from Washington, D.C., it features the 67-room Inn at Berkeley Springs, with 8,000 square feet of meeting space, and the Cacapon Resort State Park, with 48 lodge rooms, 32 cabins, an 18-hole golf course, and five meeting rooms.
The town’s Coolfont Resort, Spa and Conference Center closed Dec. 31; a new resort will be built on the site.
To the southeast is Shepherdstown, the state’s oldest town, incorporated in 1762. It is home to the 68-room Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, offering 6,000 square feet of meeting space.
The area also features the Woods Resort and Conference Center near Martinsburg. The property can handle groups of up to 100 and has a spa and 36 holes of golf.
State Parks
At eight of the state’s 37 state parks, West Virginia State Parks and Forests operates several lodges with conference facilities ranging in size from 820 square feet to 13,000 square feet.
“They are all very different, appeal to different markets, and have their own following,” says Sissie Summers, the state parks’ group services coordinator.
Some are rustic, others are more upscale, but there is always incredible scenery and plenty of activities, Summers adds.
The park service is a one-stop option for planners shopping for a retreat in the great outdoors.
For More Info
Berkeley Springs CVB 304.258.9147
www.berkeleysprings.com
Cabell–Huntington CVB 304.525.7333
www.wvvisit.org
Charleston CVB 304.344.5075
www.charlestonwv.com
Greenbrier County CVB 304.645.1000
www.greenbrierwv.com
Greater Morgantown CVB 304.292.5081
www.tourmorgantown.com
Lewis County CVB County CVB 304.269.7328
www.stonewallcountry.com
Martinsburg/Berkeley 304.264.8801
www.travelwv.com
New River CVB 304.465.5617
www.newrivercvb.com
Pocahontas County CVB 304.252.2244
www.pocahontascountywv.com
Southern West Virginia CVB 304.252.2244
www.www.visitwv.com
Tucker County CVB 304.259.5315
www.canaanvalley.org
West Virginia Division of Tourism 304.558.2200
www.callwva.com
Wheeling CVB 304.233.7709
www.wheelingcvb.com
