NORTH CAROLINA
Wilmington and Beaches
Wilmington is promoting a new riverfront Convention District located within the city’s walkable River District, connected by a nearly two-mile scenic riverwalk. The Convention District is anchored by the Wilmington Convention Center (WCC), and at press time, Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront was on track to open adjacent to the WCC this month. The hotel offers 186 two-room guest suites, 6,600 square feet of meeting space and a 4,000-square-foot rooftop bar with views of the Cape Fear River.
At press time, a 130-room Aloft Hotel, featuring 7,000 square feet of meeting space, was expected to break ground early
this year.
Hilton Wilmington Riverside is undergoing a renovation scheduled for completion this spring, including upgrades to all guest rooms, public areas, ballrooms and meeting spaces.
Courtyard Carolina Beach Oceanfront is on track to complete a renovation of its guest rooms and public spaces by March.
New Bern/Craven County
Copper Ridge on the Neuse, a rustic barn/event venue located on the Neuse River, opened in June 2017.
Crystal Coast
Front Street Village, a waterfront event venue, is scheduled to open a bistro and 129-room inn this spring. A separate building will house 8,444 square feet of meeting space.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Myrtle Beach
In fall 2017, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront completed a refresh to its 8,700-square-foot exhibit hall.
Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes, which features 45,000 square feet of meeting space, completed a renovation of its 400 guest rooms last summer.
Hilton Head
In spring 2017, Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa completed its Grand Ocean Terrace, an oceanfront group venue.
Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa completed a renovation in summer 2017, including lobby and ballroom updates.
Charleston
Hotel Bennett is scheduled to open this summer with 179 guest accommodations, a restaurant, rooftop pool, spa and 12,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, including a 6,600-square-foot ballroom.
The Schoolhouse, which was an elementary school in 1944, was renovated and opened in August 2017 with a full commercial kitchen and private event space.