Centrally located in the Mountaineer State alongside the Kanawha and Elk rivers, Charleston ranks among the nation’s prettiest capital cities.
With the West Virginia State Capitol’s gleaming gold dome serving as a beacon, this former frontier town, dating to 1794, invites visitors to discover charms such as historic landmarks, vibrant culture and nightlife, and a flavorsome dining scene.
Home to numerous annual events and fairs, the city’s festive spirit extends to far-ranging outdoor pursuits that take full advantage of Charleston’s river location on the scenic Highway 60 corridor.
Getting to “Charlie West” is a snap. Just minutes from downtown, Yeager Airport is served by more than 40 daily flights from 10 major hubs. The intersection of three major interstates (77, 64 and 79) also makes Charleston a convenient drive-to destination.
Once in town, pluses include affordability and accessibility, with major meeting venues, hotels and attractions in a convenient compact cluster.
Offering some 3,500 hotel rooms city-wide, Charleston’s main group facility, the multifunctional 13,500-seat Charleston Civic Center, is within walking distance of 1,600 rooms. Other downtown anchors include the freshly remodeled Charleston Town Center Mall, one of the largest indoor retail destinations east of the Mississippi, and the city’s energetic entertainment district.
The city’s allure is an irresistible spirit of reinvigoration, as Charleston welcomes groups with some $100 million in recent investments—and moves beyond the chemical spill of January 2014.
“With new protective legislation ensuring that it will never happen again, Charleston is once again a clean, safe center for business and leisure travelers,” says Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Charleston CVB.
Studies done by the CVB indicate that the water crisis is but a distant memory.
“More than halfway to our room night booking goal of 27,000, we have seen a 5 percent growth in overall room occupancy and 4 percent growth in revenue,” says Bailey, who praises the tourism industry for its support. “Travel South Showcase, a marketplace of 500 group tourism professionals, held their event soon after the chemical spill.”
Bailey credits that event for “convincing other already planned meetings and events not to cancel.”
With sports, military and faith-based groups representing Charleston’s three leading meetings markets, the city continues to enhance its visitor infrastructure.
With 2014 openings including the 176-room Sheraton Four Points, a $20 million riverfront property offering almost 9,000 square feet of function space, 2015 began with the unveiling of Marriott’s $13 million, 119-room Courtyard Charleston. The property is steps from the convention center, which is planning a $60 million expansion and remodel slated to begin this fall.
The CVB is also focusing on attracting Millennial customers with an energetic refresh of its “Hip, Historic…Almost Heaven” brand.
“We are using a new image video to showcase the city’s cultural, artistic, culinary and music scenes, which we feel accurately portrays Charleston and resonates with younger travelers and groups alike,” says Tim Brady, the bureau’s vice president of sales and marketing. “Meeting attendees want to go places where they can see something new or enjoy a new experience, as well as get great content. Knowing that the meeting planner industry is doing a great job of raising the bar on content, we are focused on delivering on a brand promise of being a fun destination that attendees will talk about for years to come.”
Longtime Meetings Focus contributor Jeff Heilman salutes Charleston's special brand of Mountaineer spirit.
