Nicknamed the “hornets’ nest” by a British general during the American Revolution for its rebellious tendencies, Charlotte, N.C., has always been a city with an independent spirit and a flair for enterprise.
Today, Charlotte is abuzz with development. The city is close to completing a 10-year, $5.6 billion plan designed to draw visitors and meeting attendees to the city center.
“Meeting planners can’t believe the growth and progress the area is currently experiencing,” says Molly Hedrick, senior director of communications at the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. “We’re extremely proud of the 20-plus cranes in our skyline right now—it’s a sign of the times. Charlotte’s momentum has certainly been steady, and I think the changing face and growing cityscape would pleasantly surprise many attendees.”
Two major developments are currently under way.
The EpiCentre is located four blocks from the Charlotte Convention Center and sports a movie theater, upscale bowling alley, many restaurants and nightlife options, as well as a new aloft hotel by Starwood. The project will be completed this year.
Wachovia First Street Cultural Campus, set for completion in 2010 and also walkable from the convention center, will add Bechtler Art Museum, the Mint Museum, a performing arts theater and an Afro-American Cultural Center, among other offerings. These two developments alone will offer planners and meeting-goers an array of opportunities for off-site gatherings, team-building activities and individual exploration.
The new NASCAR Hall of Fame, which will connect to the convention center and include a ballroom capable of seating 2,500, is expected to make a big splash when it opens in 2010.
Large-scale convention venues in Charlotte include the 73,000-seat Bank of America Stadium, the 17,000-seat Charlotte Bobcats Arena and Charlotte Convention Center, which features 280,000 square feet of exhibit space, more than 90,000 square feet of meeting space and a 35,000-square-foot ballroom.
Among the city’s largest meetings hotels are the recently renovated, 400-room Hilton Charlotte Center City, with 280,000 square feet of meeting space; the 700-room Westin Charlotte, with 38,000 square feet of meeting space; the 438-room Charlotte Marriott City Center, with 20,000 square feet of meeting space; and the 374-room Omni Charlotte, with 16,000 square feet of meeting space.
There’s also a good selection of conveniently located airport hotels with meeting space. These include Ramada Airport South and Conference Center, with 425 guest rooms and 17 meeting rooms; Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel, with 275 guest rooms and 19,000 square feet of meeting space; and Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel, with 221 guest rooms and 14,000 square feet of meeting space.
On the outskirts of town, the IACC-certified Ballantyne Resort offers 214 guest rooms and 20,000 square feet of meeting space as well as a spa and 18 holes of golf.
There is also a wide assortment of attractions that double as truly interesting off-site venues not far from the convention center.
Levine Museum of the New South in Center City welcomes groups as large as 600 for rentals.
Focusing on post-Civil War Southern history, the museum features exhibits such as “Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers: Charlotte and the North Carolina Piedmont in the New South,” designed to give visitors to the region a deeper understanding of the history and culture of their surroundings.
Just a quarter-mile from Uptown Charlotte, the Extravaganza Depot can transform its 6,000 square feet into nearly any setting you can imagine with its huge array of decor and props. Among its dozens of eye-popping themes are “space odyssey,” “disco 70s,” “Cirque du Soleil” and “James Bond 007.”
The gracious Duke Mansion, built in 1919 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, can host groups as large as 600. It is also a 20-room bed-and-breakfast. Lush gardens, fine cuisine and a strong emphasis on Southern charm make this a unique meeting choice.
Daytrip options outside the city limits are equally varied. There are three wineries in the area for tours and tastings. Geocaching gets groups up and out into the Piedmont woods, working together to meet goals. Two local waterparks are guaranteed to bring out the kids in any group.
Besides its well-stocked inventories of places to meet and play, Charlotte offers unbeatable accessibility that takes the sting out of travel costs, as well as great variety.
“Charlotte is one of the most accessible destinations thanks to Charlotte Douglas International Airport and is a major hub of US Airways,” Hedrick says. “Over 60 percent of the U.S. population lives within a two-hour flight. And more importantly, it has an ambience unlike any other city. One minute, you could be standing in buzzing cityscape surrounded skyscrapers, museums and theaters. And then, just travel a mile down the road and you’ll be in peaceful Southern suburbia with oak-shaded sidewalks and historic bungalows. You really get the best of both worlds in Charlotte.”
Charlotte expects to attract plenty of attention in the coming years.
“With the new hotels, attractions like the NASCAR Hall of Fame and shopping, dining and nightlife amenities adding to the skyline day by day, Charlotte’s thriving,” Hedrick says. “We plan on continuing to attract a heavy concentration of association bookings mixed with corporate business in the coming years.”
Cabarrus County
Any fan of auto racing will recognize Cabarrus County, next door to Charlotte, as one of the national capitals of the sport. This mecca for motorsports offers dozens of ways for groups who enjoy the energy and flash of the speedway to experience it firsthand.
“Cabarrus County is to auto racing as Hollywood is to the film industry and Nashville is to country music,” says DeSales Wagster, president and CEO of the Cabarrus County CVB. “Our area offers the star power and thrill of being the home base of one of the most exciting sports, offering both celebrity and excitement.”
Many racing attractions also make great off-site venues. Not to be missed are Lowe’s Motor Speedway, which offers 44,000 square feet of meeting space with views of the track, and the Vintage Motor Club, with a 15,000-square-foot banquet hall. Hendrick Motorsports has a state-of-the-art meeting room, and Roush Fenway Racing offers an auditorium.
Other popular team-building possibilities include the U.S. National Whitewater Center for rafting and rope climbing, and Reed Gold Mine, where groups can pan for gold.
The county isn’t just about fun and games, though. A new high-tech development in Kannapolis will be putting the area firmly on the map for medical science groups in the coming years.
“We are now becoming an emerging epicenter of biotechnology research with the new North Carolina Research Campus,” Wagster says. “The new 355,000-square-foot core lab building just opened. When completed the campus will include meeting space and conference centers and will be the place where scientists in the future will want to meet.”
Cabarrus County can make a good base of operations, offering a choice of large hotels and a very respectable convention center.
Cabarrus Arena & Event Center offers 130,000 square feet of flexible exhibition and meeting space. Concord Convention Center has 42,000 square feet for events and is located adjacent to Rocky River Golf Club, a championship golf course designed by Dan Maples.
Embassy Suites Hotel Resort and Conference Center Charlotte-Concord offers 42,000 square feet of meeting space. The new Great Wolf Lodge will add 25,000 square feet when it opens this month.
For More Info
Cabarrus County CVB 704.782.4340 www.visitcabarrus.com
Visit Charlotte 704.334.2282 www.charlottesgotalot.com
