Black Meetings and Tourism

Sept/Oct 2019

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MEET IN PALMETTO STATE AND YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED B Y R U F U S M C K I N N E Y South Carolina's beautiful scenery extends from the rolling hills of the Upcountry to the glistening lakes of the midlands and the wide, white sandy beaches of its 200-mile Atlantic coastline. The state has a rich history documented by attractive plantations and the north- western foothills, where fierce battles were fought during the Civil War. Charleston, situated on the coast, is a popular tourist destination and site of the first permanent English settlement. Myrtle Beach, a popular resort city famous for its golf, is centered on the sun-drenched 60-mile stretch of coastline on the northern border. Hilton Head, a narrow, barrier island, has 12 miles of beautiful beaches, unspoiled forest, world-class golf courses, tennis resorts, and a relaxed, laid back lifestyle. The state is accessible from several international gateways, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, New York, Philadelphia and Raleigh/Durham air- ports, with connecting services to domestic airports. Now that the Confederate Flag issue has been resolved, the time has come for African-Americans and other people of color to explore this history rich state and let the past be the past. • • CHARLESTON • • Charleston is a world-class destina- tion, with an easily accessible airport, beautiful beaches, historic surroundings, highly acclaimed restaurants and shop- ping galore. Anchoring the area's meeting industry is the much-touted Charleston Area Convention Center Campus. Conveniently located in North Charleston, the Campus features more than 150,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and exhibit space and an adjoining Performing Arts Center. Steps away are the North Charleston Coliseum and the Embassy Suites Hotel. Combined, the campus is the largest of its kind in the Southeast, and meeting professionals are delighted to now have a home for their larger conventions. Conveniently located in North Charleston, the Charleston Area Convention Center Campus features more than 150,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and exhibit space and an adjoin- ing Performing Arts Center. Steps away are the North Charleston Coliseum and the Embassy Suites Hotel. Combined, the campus is the largest of its kind in the Southeast, and meeting professionals are delighted to now have a home for their larger conventions. History buffs will be fascinated by the Gullah culture that's so much a part of the African-American legacy in South Carolina. Gullah, the language spoken by the Lowcountry's first Black inhabitants, as well as the Gullah culture, still thrives today in and around the Charleston/Beaufort, South Carolina region. Several tour companies explore the places, history, and stories that are relevant to the rich and varied contribu- tions made by Black Charlestonians. Charleston International Airport, only 12.7 miles from the downtown corridor, serves the area.. • • COLUMBIA • • Make sure your next event is the most successful ever by meeting in Columbia. Here in the heart of South Carolina, visi- tors experience the excitement of a thriv- ing metropolis with a proud past rich in history and tradition. With over 537,449 sq. ft. of meeting space available in the region (including a 142,500-sq. ft. Convention Center), there are several conventional & unconventional facilities to choose from for your next event. Centrally located in South Carolina's historic state capital, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center is in the middle of an exciting urban scene that includes open-air cafes, deluxe accom- modations, live music, exciting sports venues and concert tours. With the tem- perate seasons, Columbia offers your guests a perfect year-round business and B M & T ••• September/October 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 51 AREA GUIDES S O U T H C A R O L I N A • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Belmond Charleston Place 434 Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Area 255 Francis Marion Hotel 234 DoubleTree by Hilton N. Charleston 142 Crowne Plaza Charleston Airport Convention Center 166 North Charleston Marriott 291 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Charleston Area Convention Center total meeting/exhibit space150,000 sq. ft. largest hall 77,000 sq. ft. largest ballroom 25,000 sq. ft. meeting rooms 21 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Charleston Area CVB – (800) 868-8118 www.meetcharleston.com Charleston Aerial View photo credit: Charleston CVB

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