There’s more to Coastal Carolinas cities than just the beautiful weather and beaches (though they’re still a major plus!). But don’t take our word for it.
We spoke to a few meeting planners about why they love to bring their business to these oceanside destinations. The common threads? Walkable convention districts, CVB partners that are Southern hospitality exemplified and easy after-hours options for attendees all combine to help these destinations shine.
Learn more about what meeting planners had to say about recent programs in Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, and Wilmington in North Carolina.
Wilmington, North Carolina
Located between Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, four miles from Wilmington International Airport and minutes away from three island beaches, Wilmington, North Carolina, pairs its convenient and scenic coastal location with a walkable historic downtown district, tasty F&B and a helpful CVB partner.
This is exemplified in a recent October 2024 event, when the NC Realtors association brought 800 people to Wilmington for its annual convention and expo. Home base was the Wilmington Convention Center, which is the state’s only coastal convention center with sweeping river views and more than 100,000 square feet of space. Guests stayed at Embassy Suites Wilmington Riverfront Hotel, Hotel Ballast: Tapestry Collection by Hilton and Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center—all located within steps of the convention center along the Riverwalk. Additionally, some guests opted to stay at The Cove Riverwalk Villas—comprised of 35 modern, stationary houseboats along a custom-built dock.
“They are the cutest riverboats,” said Mandy Lowe, VP of member engagement for NC Realtors. “They are located right beside the convention center, which is an added perk!”
According to Lowe and Sarah Nardi, events director for NC Realtors, 2024 was the first time the group brought their annual convention to Wilmington after years of planning, and they found the city exceeded expectations.
“The city is phenomenal to work with,” Lowe explained. “We have worked with John Sneed [VP of sales and services for Wilmington and Beaches CVB] for many years and he, the CVB and city really embrace group travel. Our attendees loved how walkable everything is (we also got the best weather over our event dates). With the convention center being right on the Riverwalk, attendees can go for a quick break outside and enjoy the views. There are also a large number of restaurants within walking distance of the venue. We do not provide every meal for our attendees, so they really enjoyed how easy it was to walk to attend their meetings and then easily walk outside and be so close to a variety of restaurants.
“The convention center and hotels are also walking distance from many different activities/tours and just a short drive from the beach,” she continued. “For groups that may have families travel with them, this is a great location because there is so much to do.”
The group’s schedule was jam-packed, with 35 business and committee meetings; a variety of sessions on important topics in the real estate industry; networking events, panels and roundtables; and an exhibit hall, over the course of four days. The itinerary left little room for organized teambuilding options, but Lowe said Wilmington’s walkability and culinary offerings made it easy for attendees to explore with the limited free time they had.
“We had one event dinner planned after our opening session but found it hard to compete with the city’s great culinary options,” she said.
[Related: What’s New, and What’s to Come, Across the Coastal Carolinas]
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Hilton Head might be famous with vacationers for its stunning oceanfront properties and pleasant climate, but its world-class meeting and conference facilities and Southern hospitality are what keep business groups returning to the island year after year.
The South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA), for example, has been hosting meetings in Hilton Head for more than 25 years, including conferences that range from 150-600 attendees, providing professional development opportunities for school board members.
“Hilton Head has a feel of Southern hospitality and charm everywhere you go,” said Gwen Hampton, director of leadership development for SCSBA. “Hilton Head is off I-95 and easy for our members to travel to. Our national speakers have two airports to choose from, Savannah and Hilton Head. The weather can be beautiful even during the winter months.”
Education and professional development are the primary focus of SCSBA’s conferences, but Hampton noted that one of the great benefits of Hilton Head is that the destination is easy for attendees to enjoy on their own after a busy day of work.
“While we spend very long days in education sessions, evening events and family time is spent in the most beautiful settings around the Island,” she said. “It is a beautiful place to be. The weather is nice. The amenities are great. All these things make it easy to spend long hours in training…SCSBA’s conference agendas are focused on school board professional development from start to finish. ‘After hours’ opportunities abound for attendees.”
Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island is a staple property for SCSBA. With 23,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, an oceanfront location and an extensive renovation about to wrap, the resort can meet a wide variety of group needs.
“We look for venues with excellent customer service while providing a great dollar value for our members,” Hampton said. “We are always mindful of how resources are spent and the goal of our presence in Hilton Head.”
As an added benefit to meetings and events, Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island is wrapping up a multi-phase renovation this winter, which has improved guest rooms, the lobby area, patio and other areas.
Combined, planners will find 150,000 total square feet of meeting and event space in Hilton Head. Some of these notable venues include The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa; Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort; Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island; and Beach House, Hilton Head Island, among others.
[Related: A Meeting Planner's Guide to the Most Prominent Hotels and Event Venues in South Carolina]
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Deborah Brice, with the Air Traffic Control Association, serves as meeting planner for The Joint Service ATC Symposium, and is no stranger to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, bringing roughly 1,000 military attendees to the destination August 14-18, 2022, and May 12-16, 2024, with plans to return in 2026.
“Myrtle Beach offers a unique combination of professional resources with a relaxed coastal charm and a central location, providing easy travel convenience for our military attendees,” Brice said. “The city is known for its excellent hospitality and services, making it a great destination for military personnel and their families.”
Partnering with the CVB was key to helping Brice and her team in booking various venues for the event, which include Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Sheraton Myrtle Beach, Bar Louie, Courtyard Myrtle Beach, Dayton House, Homewood Suites, Springhill Suites and Courtyard by Marriott. In total, the destination is home to 425 hotels and 157,000 guest rooms, so working with the CVB to target the right properties for groups is a big plus.
“The Visit Myrtle Beach personnel worked with us relentlessly to find the appropriate hotels and the right special event venues,” she said. “They ensured that our stay and activities needed would meet our attendees' needs. They arranged for site visits, chauffeured our planning committee to the various locations.
“Most importantly, Visit Myrtle Beach, the hotel and the convention center heard our requests and delivered,” Brice added.
The Myrtle Beach Convention Center is one of the largest convention centers in the Southeast, with 250,000 square feet of space, including 100,800 square feet of column-free exhibit space. It’s located near some of Myrtle Beach’s best attractions and dining.
Connections
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and VCB
Read more meeting and event news in North Carolina and South Carolina.
