Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1539265
56 B M & T ••• September/October 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com MEET IN PALMETTO STATE AND YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED BY CLETUS RAMSEY South Carolina navigates meeting needs with both tradition and momen- tum. Its coastal charm, historic architec- ture, and cultural legacy blend with mod- ern venues, accessible airports, and diverse culinary voices. Whether planners anchor agendas in Myrtle Beach's beach- front circuit, Charleston's heritage dis- tricts, Greenville's innovation corridor, or Columbia's capital core, the state offers thoughtful design paired with operational ease. Gullah Geechee heritage, university collaborations, and walkable city grids ensure events are housed in community not clichés.The state's meetings economy has seen double-digit growth since 2020, with Charleston and Greenville leading in post-pandemic convention recovery. Here, meetings don't just take place, they take root. • • MYRTLE BEACH• • Long known for golf and beaches, Myrtle Beach is now a meetings magnet. The Myrtle Beach Convention Center boasts 250,000 square feet of space, just steps from oceanfront resorts and walk- ing distance to the Carolina Country Music Festival grounds. It's ideal for large conventions, summits, and sports tourism events. But beneath the boardwalk, Black his- tory runs deep. The Atlantic Beach neigh- borhood, once known as "The Black Pearl," is rich in heritage and being reimagined through cultural tourism. Event planners can incorporate local part- nerships through the Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce or book cultural experiences highlighting Gullah story- telling and cuisine. New draws such as the SkyWheel, Myrtle Beach Arts & Gallery Trail, and the Hammock Coast's sculpture gardens give groups multiple options to unwind, reflect, or creatively recharge. Shopping districts like The Market Common or Tanger Outlets offer curated retail escapes, while rooftop lounges and waterfront bistros elevate after-hours net- working. Accommodations abound, from the oceanfront Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes to mid-size boutique hotels like The Strand. Dining groups can enjoy seafood boils at Big Mike's Soul Food or plan team outings at Black-owned winer- ies and distilleries in the surrounding Lowcountry. Outdoor excursions like jet- skiing, kayaking, or golf can be arranged as incentives, while post-conference socials find rhythm at House of Blues Myrtle Beach. Meeting groups benefit from Myrtle Beach International Airport, which offers direct flights from more than 50 destina- tions. The area's reputation as a family- friendly playground ensures plenty of add-on value, from Broadway at the Beach entertainment complex to water- front dining along Murrells Inlet MarshWalk. Beyond the boardrooms, there is space to engage meaningfully with local culture. Annual events like the Atlantic Beach Bikefest, Juneteenth celebrations, and the Carolina African American Heritage Foundation's programming present opportunities for culturally responsive itin- eraries. Planners seeking socially con- scious programming will find community leaders and artists ready to collaborate. Sustainability is growing in visibility here too. Many of the beachfront resorts now incorporate environmental practices, and some conference venues offer green meeting certifications. Local vendors pro- vide farm-to-table catering or seafood sourced responsibly from nearby waters. For planners focused on purpose-driven travel, these features complement Myrtle Beach's recreational appeal. AREA GUIDES Myrtle Beach Convention Center S O U T H C A R O L I N A • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Beach Cove Resort 116 Grande Shores Ocean Resort 231 Homewood Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront 242 EXHIBITION FACILITIES The Myrtle Beach Convention Center Total Meeting Space 250,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 100,800 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 17,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 17 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Myrtle Beach – (800) 356-3016 www.visitmyrtlebeach.com photo credit: Myrtle Beach C.C.