Clarke D. Allen
DMCP
President
Charlotte Arrangements
Charlotte, N.C.
What are three of the most unique off-site event venues you would recommend for groups meeting in Charlotte?
- U.S. National Whitewater Center: Opened in late 2006, the U.S. National Whitewater Center is unique in the area and in the world. Although just 10 minutes from uptown Charlotte, the center’s 300-plus acres offer a great escape from the city. The center has the world’s largest manmade river for whitewater rafting or kayaking, and it also offers rock and rope climbing, hiking and mountain biking trails, and other outdoor activities. It’s been designated by the U.S. Olympic Committee as an official Olympic training site. The facility has a conference center accommodating up to 250 people, an adventure pavilion and tented sites, as well as an on-site restaurant.
- Lowe’s Motor Speedway: Many visitors to the Charlotte region want a NASCAR experience, and Lowe’s Motor Speedway is the perfect venue. There are facilities for meetings and corporate events, and attendees can take driving lessons or go on ride-alongs on the racetrack itself. They can visit some of the garages and get pit passes to really feel part of the motorsports action. The Speedway Club offers upscale dining and elegant space overlooking the track. The venue’s meeting space can accommodate up to 900 for a reception and 450 for a banquet. The infield area’s capacity is unlimited.
- Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden: Located in Belmont, about 20 minutes from uptown Charlotte, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden offers a variety of indoor and outdoor meeting spaces and a pavilion that is fully equipped with the latest audiovisual and telecommunications capabilities and can accommodate groups of up to 300. The garden is open year-round, and its displays of Southern horticulture change seasonally. The 110-acre venue was named one of the nation’s “20 Great Gardens” by HGTV. A new feature, the Orchid Conservatory, opened in January.