During the Democratic National Convention in August, political pundits on PBS joked that half of Delaware was in Denver’s Pepsi Center when Sen. Joe Biden’s entire—rather sizable—family joined him on stage after his speech.
But Delaware doesn’t mind such ribbing and even embraces its petite frame. The First State, after all, is popularly coined a “Small Wonder,” particularly for planners looking to hold an event in a meetings-friendly and attraction-packed destination with a great price point.
“Delaware has a lot to offer,” confirms Esther Lovlie, CMP, director of meeting and event sales at the Greater Wilmington CVB. “But the big thing for planners is that the state is tax-free, which applies to meeting room rentals and F&B, adding to ROI right away because that tax isn’t included. Plus, when attendees dine and shop here, there’s no tax.”
The state’s three accessible meetings players all positively affect the bottom line for planners who are after a Northeastern locale that serves as a smart and more affordable alternative to the likes of Washington, D.C., and New York. Yet while they do have much in common, the Greater Wilmington area, Dover and southern Delaware also offer groups distinct settings for enjoyable and memorable events.
Greater Wilmington
Groups meeting in Wilmington will enjoy a fresh perspective on a historic town. Take it from the Greater Wilmington CVB’s Lovlie, who has resided here for 30 years: “The revitalization is amazing.”
The multimillion-dollar renaissance includes updating Wilmington’s Market Street corridor, Central Business District and Christina Riverfront.
The Chase Center, located on the revitalized riverfront, is one of Delaware’s largest facilities for group events, accommodating up to 1,600 people. Also located downtown are two properties with ample meeting space: the Doubletree Hotel Downtown Wilmington and the historic Hotel du Pont. Nearby, the recently renovated Doubletree Hotel Wilmington is situated adjacent to the Concord Mall. Attendees also enjoy buying tax-free souvenirs at the riverfront-based Shipyard Shops.
Many companies are based in Wilmington, including DuPont, Deloitte and JPMorgan Chase, so hotels are generally filled with local corporate business from Monday through Wednesday, Lovlie explains. The city, therefore, specifically targets small to midsize SMERF and association groups to fill its Thursday to Sunday windows.
“Planners start by looking for an accessible location,” Lovlie says, explaining Wilmington’s position on the Interstate 95 corridor, which makes it easily accessible by plane, with Philadelphia International Airport just 20 miles away; train, with 80 Amtrak arrivals daily; and automobile. “And then they look for other stuff like meeting space and what to do to entertain attendees. We fulfill all those needs.”
Three of the area’s top attractions, which double as off-site event venues for group gatherings, are Hagley Museum, Longwood Gardens and Winterthur Museum & Country Estates.
“These off-site venues provide a completely different feel from Wilmington—the chateau country reminded the du Ponts of where they came from in France—and Winterthur and other former du Pont estates make the area so well known,” Lovlie explains. “Plus, it’s not a logistical nightmare to transport group attendees.”
Several meetings-equipped facilities are also located within a short drive from Wilmington, including neighboring Newark’s Clayton Hall at the University of Delaware and Claymont’s Waterfall Banquet & Conference Center.
Wilmington is also only two hours from the shore and 30 minutes from Dover Downs and the adjoining Dover International Speedway.
Dover
No doubt about it, the presence of NASCAR races at Dover International Speedway has driven up the state’s popularity, according to Lovlie. Twice a year, when major races descend on the Monster Mile, the area is “literally gridlocked,” she says.
The speedway’s adjoining Dover Downs Hotel & Casino enjoys 100 percent occupancy during those times and a full house of leisure visitors and groups for the remainder of the year. The property provides a one-stop shop for groups, including 500 guest rooms, 35,000 square feet of meeting space, the new Toppers Spa & Salon, restaurants and several outlets for tax-free shopping.
“[Dover Downs] has done a phenomenal job with groups,” says Kimberly Bailey-Thomas, director of convention sales and marketing for the Kent County & Greater Dover CVB.
She cites the recently opened Colonnade expansion, featuring extra casino space, Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House, the Fire & Ice Lounge for dinner theater, and retail shops including Godiva and Swarovski Crystal, all in the casino.
Dover’s meetings portfolio also includes the Sheraton Dover Hotel and a brand-new Hilton Garden Inn that at press time was scheduled to open Oct. 1. Additionally, the recently renovated Harrington Raceway & Casino in nearby Harrington, 20 minutes south of Dover, has meeting space and is located adjacent to the Delaware State Fair Grounds, which has an array of options for groups, from boardrooms to trade show space.
“The key is seeing everything we have to offer in the Dover area,” Bailey-Thomas says. “Getting planners here on-site is believing.”
Among the area’s attractions are more than 23 museums, many of which offer free admission and also host off-site functions, including the Air Mobility Command Museum; the Amish countryside, featuring a market that is popular with attendees when they have a free afternoon; and harness racing at Dover International Speedway during winter.
“There are many themed events tied into harness racing,” Bailey-Thomas says. “There are private rooms to watch the races, and they have kitchens so you don’t need food catered in.”
Southern Delaware
Where Dover might go after major conventions, southern Delaware’s main meetings players, Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, are on the lookout for small to midsize retreats and meetings, according to Aubrey Manzo, tourism marketing manager for Southern Delaware Tourism.
Most leisure travelers, she says, visit during the summer, but the area is not seasonal.
“A lot of shops and restaurants are open year-round,” Manzo says. “But rates are lower and the crowds are thinner in the spring and the fall, when people can still do all the stuff that summer holds.”
Many local events that draw crowds during autumn act as built-in entertainment for groups meeting at that time. Among them are the Boast the Coast Maritime weekend in October in Lewes, complete with a festival and lighted boat parade; September’s annual Nanticoke Indian tribe powwow in nearby Millsboro; the five-day Rehoboth Beach Autumn Jazz Festival in October; and the Sea Witch Halloween Festival, also held in October in Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach.
Kicking around Rehoboth Beach’s boardwalk, checking out a show at its new Rehoboth Beach Theater of the Arts, shopping tax-free at Tanger Outlets, and dining in one of its many restaurants are among the fun off-session options for delegates in town.
Just outside Lewes, a unique place to either visit for a tour and tasting or book an off-site event for up to 400 people is Nassau Valley Vineyard, Delaware’s premier winery. There is also function space at Baywood Greens golf course in Millsboro, situated not too far from the beach towns.
Several properties that serve as home base for groups meeting in the area are Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference Center, the Bellmoor Inn and the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel, all located in Rehoboth Beach. In Lewes, which prides itself on its maritime heritage and is known as the “first town in the First State,” is the Inn at Canal Square and the recently remodeled Hotel Rodney, formerly known as the Zwaanendael Inn.
For More Info
Greater Wilmington CVB 302.652.4088 www.visitwilmingtonde.com
Kent County & Greater Dover CVB 302.734.4888 www.visitdover.com
Southern Delaware Tourism 302.856.1818 www.visitsoutherndelaware.com
