The old saying that good things come in small packages can certainly be applied to Delaware.
As the second-smallest state in the union at 1,982 square miles, Delaware is prepared to host groups with plenty of good things, including historic and fun attractions, accessibility, sophisticated event facilities and business savvy, not to mention the state’s tax-free benefits, which help groups stay on budget.
Variety is a plus in Delaware, home to meandering byways, riverside and historic attractions, romantic inns and hotels, and the cobblestone streets of old New Castle. Outdoor pursuits such as bird watching, fishing, hunting and canoeing are in the package, too. The state’s prime East Coast accessibility, whether by land or air, is a big selling point, and once groups are there, it’s easy to move through the Brandywine Valley in the north into quaint central Delaware towns and south to destinations at the ocean’s edge.
Greater Wilmington
The four-season appeal of New Castle County and all its DuPont legacy properties are just two reasons groups choose Wilmington and the adjacent Brandywine Valley for meetings and events. The cultural smorgasbord in both the city and the countryside has few peers.
Wilmington is home to many Fortune 500 companies, so it’s a business-centric city. Its revitalized riverfront and center city offer an array of restaurants, clubs and arts venues. Two of the city’s newest attractions are the Delaware Children’s Museum, with its interactive exhibits and event venues. The DuPont Environmental Education Center’s space for groups of up to 80 is also new. The 13,500-square-foot venue sits next to a wildlife refuge where eagles soar and ospreys nest.
Wilmington’s Riverboat Queen is a double-deck paddle wheel boat that’s berthed behind Iron Hill Brewery on the city’s riverfront. It accommodates groups of 120 for seated dinners and river cruises.
Meanwhile, the city’s historic Queen Theatre, built in 1915, is undergoing a restoration and will reopen in spring 2011.
The Greater Wilmington CVB is currently offering a transportation incentive for groups that generate a minimum of 100 room nights over at least one night and book events through the bureau.
"This incentive is drawing lots of planner attention," says Esther Lovlie, director of sales and marketing, meetings, events and group tours with the CVB. "We offer up to $26 per room night, something that can cover airport or multi-hotel shuttles. Combined with Delaware’s tax-free status on shopping, dining and entertainment, this is often a deal-maker for bookings. It generates attendee savings of up to $100 per person."
New group facilities are also part of the mix, including The Chase Center on the Riverfront, with 87,000 square feet of space for up to 1,600 attendees. Hotels within two miles of the Chase Center include Hotel du Pont, Doubletree Hotel Downtown Wilmington and Sheraton Suites Wilmington.
The legendary Brandywine Valley flows out of Wilmington along Route 52 and provides a wealth of off-site venues and touring pleasures. This is where one of America’s first families of business settled in the early 19th century and built their company and their personal estates.
What the DuPont Family left for posterity in their adopted country is a verdant valley filled with mansions and gardens of European design and elegance. Longwood Gardens, Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, Nemours and Hagley Museum each provide groups with unique experiences. The Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford has a definitive collection of art from the Wyeth Family and hosts private events after-hours in its restaurant overlooking the river and its courtyard.
One of the valley’s most popular spots for smaller groups is The Inn at Montchanin Village. Its collection of guest rooms, restaurant and meeting spaces were formerly farm buildings and DuPont mill worker homes on the Winterthur estate.
Central Delaware
Kent County is less than a one-hour drive from Wilmington. It’s famous for gaming entertainment, including slots and horse racing at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, the area’s principal venue, which features a 40,000-square-foot conference center. But there’s also plenty of activities available in the region.
"Though we are only an hour-and-a-half from both Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., we offer a very affordable alternative to other nearby destinations," says Kimberly Bailey-Thomas, director of convention sales and marketing for the Kent County CVB. "We don’t have big-city congestion and traffic."
There’s local heritage to explore in places like Dover’s historic downtown or NASCAR stock car racing on the famous Monster Mile. Those keen on creativity enjoy performances at the Schwartz Center for the Arts or the Smyrna Opera House. Year-round festivals bring in a diverse audience that ranges from blues and jazz enthusiasts to wine and book lovers.
Bailey-Thomas says there are 18 hotels within three to five miles of Dover Downs, so a meeting of 1,000 attendees is ideal for the destination. Hotels include the Sheraton Dover Hotel & Conference Center, with 150 guest rooms and 27,000 square feet of meeting space, and the new Holiday Inn Dover, with 5,000 square feet of meeting space and 131 guest rooms.
Southern Delaware
Though visitor numbers rise in southern Delaware during warm-weather months, Sussex County is a year-round destination.
Beautiful Atlantic beaches, bays and waterways headline this area’s attributes. Mixed in with all the sandy pursuits are tax-free outlet stores and specialty shops, maritime heritage and outdoor activities in the area’s state parks, wildlife refuges and sanctuaries. Golf courses, spas and small-town culture also come with the territory.
The region has numerous facility options. Meetings properties include Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center, Boardwalk Plaza Hotel, The Bellmoor Inn & Spa, the Holiday Inn Express Rehoboth and Holiday Inn Express Bethany Beach.
Rehoboth Beach Convention Center accommodates 1,000 attendees, and Ruddertown’s Baycenter in Dewey Beach hosts up to 600 for seated dining.
"Our ideal meetings group in one hotel ranges from 50 to 150 people, but our hotels work together for larger groups," says Scott Thomas, executive director of Southern Delaware Tourism. "We attract a lot of faith groups. Rehoboth was founded as a religious camp and a lot of this area was the birthplace of Methodism."
Southern Delaware’s ecotourism menu attracts many groups throughout the year. Choices range from whale and dolphin watching to nature walks, canoeing and cycling. Because the area is part of the Atlantic Flyway, bird watching is also popular.
It is also an arts-friendly region, with cultural experiences that include art galleries, dinner theater, wineries and festivals across the calendar.
