The historic and waterborne attractions and activities in locales such as Dover, Greater Wilmington and towns adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean largely contribute to the geographically petite First State’s allure for meeting planners.
Add affordability and its central location to the mix, as well as ample conference-equipped venues and group-friendly hotels, and it’s easy to see why the First State has another nickname: “Small Wonder.”
On today’s East Coast meetings stage, Delaware’s lesser-known moniker fits the bill, or shrinks it, as the state has no sales tax. According to CVB representatives, a return on investment occurs the moment planners book here.
All told, Delaware is a smart option for far-reaching groups and a wise alternative for those traveling from nearby Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City.
Greater Wilmington
Southern Living Magazine described the Greater Wilmington area as America’s Loire Valley, a comparison Sara Garnett, director of sales at the Greater Wilmington CVB, says is very applicable.
“We’re home to gorgeous mansions that have been converted into museums,” she says, citing Hagley Museum and Library, the original home of the du Pont family; Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, Henry Francis du Pont’s mansion that now houses the world’s finest collection of American decorative arts; and Nemours Mansion and Gardens, a du Pont home fashioned in the style of Marie Antoinette’s Le Petit Trianon.
Any group would be eager to meet here for the fantastic tour opportunities alone, but CVB representatives insist location and affordability place even higher on planner checklists for booking a meeting in the Wilmington area.
“Wilmington is not a major city, but it offers the same amenities and concessions at a much lower cost,” says Garnett, explaining that the area has a wonderful array of attractions and meeting facilities. “The fact that there is no sales tax in Delaware is a big draw for meeting planners, and our hotel tax is substantially lower than surrounding areas. We also offer a transportation incentive that helps meeting planners defray costs.”
Plus, the area is ideally situated and easily accessible via car, air or train.
“Location is the No. 1 appeal,” says Sarah Willoughby, executive director at the Greater Wilmington CVB, explaining that Wilmington is located midway between Washington, D.C., and New York City, and just 30 minutes south of downtown Philadelphia. “Philadelphia International Airport is 25 minutes from downtown Wilmington, and over 80 trains stop in Wilmington daily, including the high-speed Acela Express.”
When settled in, many groups take care of business at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, which accommodates up to 1,600 attendees and offers 87,000 square feet of flexible space, according to Garnett. Clayton Hall Conference Center, situated adjacent to the Courtyard Newark at the University of Delaware on the college’s campus in nearby Newark, also has function space, including a 500-seat auditorium, an exhibit area and breakout rooms that can accommodate up to 600 attendees.
The 216-room Hotel du Pont in downtown Wilmington has 30,000 square feet of meeting space that can accommodate up to 1,200 attendees, and the 266-room Hilton Wilmington/Christiana has function space including two ballrooms and a conservatory suitable for cocktail receptions.
A standby venue for off-site events is the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts (DCCA), whose main lobby is well-suited for a variety of special occasions, according to Ashley Lukoff, director of special events at DCCA, who describes the museum’s look, including architectural details like vaulted ceilings, exposed steel beams and clerestory windows, as “industrial chic.”
Additionally, the CVB’s Garnett says there are ample opportunities for team building, including outings to Bowlerama, which sports 62 bowling lanes, or Mid-Atlantic Grand Prix for indoor go-karting, as well as rafting or kayaking on the Brandywine River, golf at one of a variety of group-friendly area courses or interactive culinary experiences at Celebrity Kitchens.
Central Delaware
Central Delaware’s main meetings player, Dover, is the state capital and home to First State Heritage Park, an “urban park without boundaries” that features a collection of historical buildings and museums. According to Kimberly Bailey-Thomas, director of sales at the Kent County & Greater Dover CVB, the park, including the old state house, Johnson Victrola Museum, Legislative Hall, John Bell House and Biggs Museum of American Art, is an attraction groups enjoy checking out.
“The park offers daytime walking tours each day from March through November as well as evening lantern tours,” she says, adding that the park is only one among the many amenities that attract associations, corporate and government groups. “We feel that our mid-Atlantic location sets us apart as a perfect destination mixed with charm, convenience and savings for the attendee. After all, Delaware has no sales tax.”
Delaware is indeed tax-free for shopping, dining and entertainment, which helps out planners working with a tight budget.
“Our organization is offering a $5,000 transportation incentive for groups that may need that extra support to get their attendees to our destination,” Bailey-Thomas says. “It’s our way of giving back to the meeting planners who are looking to save on their bottom line.”
Additionally, drive-to meetings are standard fare here, as Dover is within a four-hour drive of one-third of the U.S. population.
With two convention hotels totaling 2,900 guest rooms, Dover is best suited for business events welcoming 300 to 700 attendees.
“But we can handle up to 1,500 people with both properties working together,” Bailey-Thomas says, citing the Sheraton Dover Hotel, which has 27,000 square feet of meeting space, and the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, with 40,000 square feet of space.
While Dover Downs Hotel & Casino has built-in entertainment via fun gaming opportunities, other off-session activities in the Dover area range from the historic to the exhilarating.
John Dickinson Plantation, the 18th century home of Dickinson, one of the founding fathers of the U.S., signer of the Constitution and “Penman of the Revolution,” offers tours and interpretative programs, according to Bailey-Thomas.
She adds great team-building activities for visiting groups include stock car races on Dover International Speedway’s “Monster Mile” and paddleboard or windsurfing excursions via Delmarva Board Sport Adventures.
Southern Delaware
The main appeal of Southern Delaware as a meetings destination is its relaxed, coastal atmosphere that groups can only find in this area of the nation’s First State, according to James Diehl, spokesperson for Southern Delaware Tourism.
“With our 26 miles of pristine beaches, more than 1,000 restaurants and tax-free shopping, Southern Delaware provides the perfect backdrop for any meeting,” he says, citing frequently booked business by associations, corporate and faith-based groups that are attracted to the convenient mid-Atlantic location, as well as area attractions and religious heritage.
Hotels boasting meeting facilities include the Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center, Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Bellmoor Inn and Spa, all based in Rehoboth Beach and the Lewes-based Inn at Canal Square. Meeting facilities without accommodations include Ruddertowne Baycenter in Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, Heritage Shores Club in Bridgeville, Baywood Greens in Long Neck and Cordrey Center in Millsboro.
There is also no shortage of cultural attractions in Southern Delaware, Diehl says, citing historic sites such as the Zwaanendael Museum, the DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum, Prince George’s Chapel, the Governor Ross Mansion and Plantation, and Fort Miles.
“Lying amid the rolling sand dunes of the Atlantic Ocean is the Fort Miles Historical Area, home to one of the largest coastal fortifications ever constructed,” Diehl explains, adding that group tours are available. “Other sites include Carey’s Camp, the engaging Nanticoke Indian Museum and the always popular Nassau Valley Vineyard.”
One among a good variety of interesting off-site venues for groups is the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, which hosts waterborne social gatherings on the Delaware Bay.
“From birthday parties to wedding receptions to business meetings, the ferry’s staff has years of experience in coordinating special events for all occasions,” Diehl says.
Many other group activities in Sussex County were designed with the water in mind, including kayaking, paddle boarding, skim boarding, surfing and Jet Skiing. There is also an abundance of nature trails, including the Nanticoke River Trail, as well as the popular Wine and Ale Trail, all of which can be experienced by large and small groups alike, according to Diehl.
Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus East.
