Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1539265
VARIED OPTIONS AND WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES FUEL STATE'S GROWING PROWESS AS MEETING DESTINATION BY BUCK SAMUELS North Carolina is a state where old money, new tech, and Black legacy inter- sect. Anchored by world-class universi- ties, research corridors, and rich cultural ecosystems, North Carolina delivers high- caliber venues and soulful storytelling. For meeting planners, it's a destination where strategy and substance aren't mutually exclusive. From the entrepreneurial energy of Charlotte's financial core to the cultural footprints in Durham and Wilmington, the state offers both prestige and person- ality. Civil Rights landmarks, historically Black colleges, and award-winning culi- nary scenes contribute to an experience that's as intellectually nourishing as it is operationally fluid. • •CHARLOTTE • • Charlotte, the Queen City, reigns with financial firepower and cultural resur- gence. The Charlotte Convention Center is now connected to the 700-room Westin and the sleek new JW Marriott via the pedestrian corridor of the Rail Trail. Events here scale easily, whether intimate boardroom roundtables or trade shows spanning multiple city blocks. In a compact, walkable district, the 600,000-square-foot Charlotte Conven- tion Center is connected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and across the street from the 700-room Westin Hotel. Roomy with 280,000 square feet of exhibit hall space divisible into four halls, the Convention Center also has 154,000 square feet of breakout space, including 50 meeting rooms and two ballrooms. And steps from Uptown's arts and culture attrac- tions, sports venues, nightlife hubs and 200-plus restaurants, a bustling cityscape sits on its doorstep. The venue is located only 7 miles from the airport, is within walking distance of more than 6,400 hotel rooms and just underwent a $126.9M expansion com- pleted in October of 2021. Connected to the Charlotte Conven- tion Center by an overstreet walkway, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is a convenient and unique location for a signature event. In this 86,500-square-foot facility, you can host a Great Hall reception surrounded by racing memorabilia, dine by a NASCAR Hall Famer's car, plan an intimate gather- ing in the Legends Room, or test your group's competitive edge during pit crew challenges. The primary gathering place within the NASCAR Hall of Fame, this large open area is set against the backdrop of the iconic Glory Road, which has 18 stock cars on display. Sit-down luncheons and dinners with keynote speakers, holiday parties, press conferences, and more fit nicely in this space. Need an outdoor space? The NASCAR Hall of Fame's 19,000-square-foot patio is spacious and flexible, which is ideal for large events, festivals and athletic compe- titions. Plus, the Hall of Fame will make sure everything, from electricity to cater- ing, is tailored to your event's needs. Black-owned businesses like Leah & Louise and Archive CLT offer offsite expe- riences that reflect Charlotte's creativity and activism. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture can be rented for receptions or panels, giving attendees a taste of Southern modernism. A haven for talent, Charlotte is a can- vas for artistic expression. State-of-the-art performance venues set the stage for mesmerizing productions spanning Broadway to local theater. Eye-catching public art begs for photo ops. And renowned art museums showcase work by the greatest visionaries from across the globe and across time. Murals all over the Queen City pay trib- ute to important events and figures in Black culture. They tell the stories of strug- gles and triumphs of communities, like the Historic West End of Charlotte, while promoting pride in cultural identity. With every brush stroke, these murals have the power to transcend time, often unfolding and elevating the stories they tell. B M & T ••• September/October 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 59 • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS The Westin Charlotte 700 Charlotte Marriott City Center 446 Hilton Charlotte Uptown 400 EXHIBITION FACILITIES The Charlotte Convention Center Total Meeting Space 600,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 280,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 40,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 50 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Charlotte – (704)339-6040 www.charlottesgotalot.com Charlotte Convention Center photo credit: Charlotte C.C. AREA GUIDES N O R T H C A R O L I N A