Meeting venues throughout the Southeast are debuting exciting expansions and renovations.
VALUE DESTINATIONS
Meeting planners will find top-notch service and reasonable prices in these Southern cities.
GAMING HOTSPOTS
Take a chance on one of these popular Southern destinations to add some fun to your next meeting.
MEETINGS AT MUSEUMS
Groups can gather in the galleries at these notable museums throughout the Southeast.
STATE PARKS
Scenery and amenities welcome meeting groups at parks around the Southern states.
ON THE COVER
Clockwise from top left: A NASA artifact at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville (courtesy Huntsville/Madison Co. CVB); a sculpture at Cartersville’s Booth Western Art Museum (courtesy Booth Western Art Museum); a door hanger at Alexandria’s Hotel Heron (courtesy Hotel Heron); downtown Hot Springs (courtesy Visit Hot Springs)
Courtesy
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
Ready to elevate your meeting in sun-soaked success? Look no further than Daytona Beach. From our beachside convention complex to our 23 miles of white-sand beaches, our vibrant destination offers the perfect backdrop of unique settings for an unforgettable gathering. We invite your attendees to the World’s Most Famous Beach to meet.
Director
(386) 255-0415 ext 134 • BRedmon@DaytonaBeach.com
STS IS BUILDING A MULTIGENERATIONAL COALITION
BY MAC LACY
To continue its 42-year tradition of creating successful meetings for attendees of all ages, the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) faces a learning curve that all membership organizations are confronting: how to successfully engage with and meet the needs of the huge Gen Z demographic that is coming into the workforce.
Monica Smith is hard at work navigating that curve and learning more about this young demographic she thinks will alter the way group meetings are held.
“Oh, yes, we’re very aware of the characteristics of this demographic that many say will be larger than the boomers,” the STS president and CEO said. “We have thought about them a lot. These 20-somethings who are entering the workforce now will likely change how we do room set-ups, roundtable discussions, online content, almost everything about the science of meeting planning.
“I personally want us to emphasize [human resources] content more for this group,” she said. “They look at work differently; they prefer less structure; and they adopt new technology very quickly. We’ll have to evolve as meeting planners to meet their needs if we want to see them become dedicated attendees with us.”
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Smith’s organization is also seeking to reengage with many of the 1,400 STS Marketing College alumni who have earned CTP distinctions over the years.
“We’re creating a 2025 STS Marketing College Alumni course that focuses on leadership and includes two virtual meetings in April and June,” she said. “Participating alumni will follow that up by attending an in-person training program to be held at a site near Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, August 4–6.”
The Southeast Tourism Society is restarting its Congressional Summit event this year. This annual legislative meeting held in Washington, D.C., was postponed during the COVID years, restarted in 2023 and then paused in 2024 for refinements that delegates suggested for future years.
“Great meeting planning requires great feedback,” said Smith. “After our 2023 event, attendees told us they wanted to move our hotel from the suburbs back into Washington D.C. They prefer to pay the higher room rates in the city to spend less time traveling back and forth to their meetings with elected representatives or their staffs. Our attendees for this event range from upper management to destination CEOs, and their time is valuable.”
STS is also responding to a trend in meeting planning that Smith said she believes is growing.
“In order to get the cities and sites we want across the Southeast, we need to move our site selection process out to at least three years,” she said. “I’m sure other organizations are finding the same thing. Doing that may also help with room rates in some cases.”
Courtesy Louisiana State Parks LOUISIANA’S FONTAINEBLEAU STATE PARK OFFERS MEETING FACILITIES SURROUNDED BY BEAUTIFUL WETLAND SCENERY.
MONICA SMITH
in Rutherford County, Tennessee
Location
30 miles outside of Nashville
Shopping
Lodging
62 Hotels with +5,500 Rooms
110,000 sq. ft. of Meeting Space
Attractions
One of the Largest Outdoor Retail Areas in Tennessee
Over 425+ restaurants, from familiar favorites to unique local eateries Dining
Immerse yourself in rich Civil War history including a National Battlefield
Kentucky’s premier event, meeting, and conference venue.
The Shelbyville Conference Center is centrally located between Lexington and Louisville, and combines versatility, beauty, and modern amenities for a welcoming and accommodating venue for your corporate meeting, event, conference, or show.
Flexible floorplans and state-of-the-art technology allow for all groups of any size — from as intimate as 10 guests to as grand as 400 attendees — to gather and celebrate together.
Start planning at shelbykyvenues.com
Included with every event:
• Tables and chairs
• High speed internet
• Electric service
• Audio/visual system with projectors and microphones
• Catering kitchen & open catering policy
• Ample parking and nearby free public parking
• Proximity to Shelbyville’s shopping, dining, and lodging
• Shelbyville Trolley (add-on)
• Tablecloths (add-on)
NEW IMPROVED and
Notable Southern venues are renovating and expanding
BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH
Cities and towns across the Southeast continue to grow their meeting and convention spaces through major renovations, expansions or new builds. Here are six cities that have recently unveiled new projects or are in the midst of major improvements that will be completed by 2026.
Courtesy McLemore Resort
THE NEW CLOUDLAND LODGE AT MCLEMORE RESORT OFFERS 245 GUEST ROOMS AND 20,000 SQUARE FEET OF MEETING SPACE IN THE NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS.
CLOUDLAND AT MCLEMORE RESORT
Rising Fawn, Georgia
Perched 2,300 feet above sea level on top of Georgia’s Lookout Mountain, McLemore Resort is a golf resort and community. Before 2024, the resort had only one 18-hole golf course, the Highland, a cliff-edge par 71 course reimagined by Bill Bergin and Rees Jones. But last year, McLemore opened The Keep, an 18-hole course featuring five cliff-edge holes. Golf lovers can take advantage of the resort’s practice facilities, including The Cairn, a Bill Bergin six-hole short course, a nine-hole practice green or an expanded driving range.
In February 2024, the resort opened the Cloudland Lodge, A Curio Collection by Hilton, with 245 rooms, including 19 suites. The lodge has 20,000 square feet of conference and event space, including the Skyline Ballroom, which can host 280 for a banquet, and Cumberland Ballroom, which can accommodate 370 for a banquet or more than 500 for a reception. The lodge has several breakout rooms, a pavilion, and courtyards and terraces that can be rented out for events. Every room is equipped with stateof-the-art A/V equipment, and full-service catering is available.
Cloudland has two restaurants, a café, a full spa, a fitness center and a Peloton spin room. There’s also a cliff-edge infinity pool and an outdoor restaurant and bar called Skyside.
staycloudland.com
Photos courtesy McLemore Resort
CLOUDLAND LODGE’S SKYLINE BALLROOM
A PRIVATE DINING ROOM AT CLOUDLAND LODGE
BIKING AT MCLEMORE RESORT
KENTUCKY EXPOSITION CENTER
Louisville, Kentucky
In August 2024, Kentucky Venues announced a multi-million-dollar renovation plan for the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. Phase I of the renovation is expected to cost $180 million and will include a new interconnected 350,000-square-foot multi-purpose building that will be able to host everything from livestock competitions and equine events to trade shows and sporting events. The new building will be directly east of the existing Broadbent Arena and north of the West Wing.
The second phase will include a renovation of the West Wing, West Hall and Pavilion into a 249,000-square-foot multi-purpose building that includes exhibit space, a large prefunction space and new meeting rooms. Phase II is expected to cost $213 million and will include enhancements to existing food and beverage operations, creating a 40,000-square-foot space to feed the guests that attend events on the property every year.
The event center anticipates the renovations will bring in even larger events and allow the Expo Center to host multiple events at the same time.
kyexpo.org
NORTH LITTLE ROCK CONFERENCE CENTER
North Little Rock, Arkansas
Announced on October 8, 2024, the North Little Rock Conference Center will replace the former City Services Building that was demolished a year ago. The site is on Main Street, one block north of the Arkansas River, and will feature 31,000 square feet of event space, including a ballroom, prefunction space and a prep kitchen. The new facility will be able to accommodate 1,000 guests for a
sit-down dinner or 1,500 for an event or trade show.
The conference center is expected to be completed by 2026 and is part of an $80 million investment in North Little Rock’s downtown area that eventually will include two hotels. Attendees visiting the center will be a short walk away from the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, which is home to the USS Razorback and USS Hoga in North Little Rock Riverfront Park. The USS Razorback is a World War II submarine that is 90% operational. The USS Hoga is a tugboat that served at Pearl Harbor during the attack and is credited with saving many lives, battling fires on many of the ships that were attacked and pushing the USS Nevada battleship out of the channel during the bombing. Both are open for tours.
northlittlerock.org
AMERISTAR CASINO RESORT EXPANSION
St. Charles, Missouri
Ameristar Casino Resort is a major destination in St. Charles, Missouri, with a 130,000-square-foot, two-story casino featuring more than 1,000 slot machines, table games and a live poker room. There is a full-service spa and a AAA four-diamond hotel with 397 all-suite guest rooms.
Ameristar's parent company, Boyd Gaming, has wanted to expand its 22,000-square-foot conference facility for years but didn’t think it could attract enough business in St. Charles. In August, the owners decided the market was ripe for a conference center expansion that will add 43,000 square feet of traditional meeting space and an enhanced prefunction area, bringing its event space to 65,000 square feet. The expansion will be anchored by a 16,000-square-foot ballroom with a built-in stage and state-of-theart A/V equipment that will have the capacity to host large-scale galas and events. When completed, the space will be one of the largest ballrooms in the area and able to capture events such as trade shows.
The new space will include garage doors and freight elevators to make setup more efficient. Boyd Gaming expects the project
Courtesy Kentucky Expo Center
A NEW MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING AT THE KENTUCKY EXPO CENTER IN LOUISVILLE
Courtesy AC Hotel by Marriott Greenville
Photos courtesy North Little Rock Tourism
GROUNDBREAKING AT THE NEW NORTH LITTLE ROCK CONVENTION CENTER
to be completed by this fall. The resort has a full-service culinary team that provides food and beverages inside the casino and catering for events held in the conference center. The resort also has 12 different restaurants and bars and a Vegas-style nightclub.
ameristarstcharles.boydgaming.com
SEA TRAIL GOLF RESORT AND CONVENTION CENTER
Sunset Beach, North Carolina
Sea Trail Golf Resort in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, has undergone major renovation since new owners took over in 2023. They have worked hard to update all parts of the property, which was very outdated.
The first stage of the renovation included a full remodel of the property’s 40,000-square-foot convention center. The lobby was modernized with white marble floors and a large promenade with windows and doors leading to the piazza, garden and gazebo, which overlook the Jones and Byrd golf courses.
As part of the renovation, the owners converted a section of the convention center into 55 Bistro Bar and Sunset Slice, with 24 flat-screen TVs and four different rooms. Groups can wind down there, play a game of darts or pool, or try the Golden Tee arcade game for a fun virtual golfing experience.
The convention center’s grand ballroom can host 400 for a banquet or 1,000 for a reception. The ballroom can be divided into three smaller spaces. Wi-Fi and A/V services are included,
Let your group discover the many wonders of Williamsburg,
and Yorktown. The Historic Triangle offers the perfect blend of storied attractions, exhilarating outdoor adventures, and enriching entertainment for groups of all sizes and interests. Beyond the country’s largest living history museum, find delightful surprises including culinary gems, eclectic boutiques, and gravity-defying roller coasters.
into the spirit of discovery and set epic memories in motion. Plan your group’s incredible getaway today.
Photos courtesy Sea Trail Golf Resort
A SEA TRAIL GOLF RESORT PATIO
Jamestown,
SEA TRAIL GOLF RESORT FROM ABOVE
and there are two boardrooms for smaller groups.
The resort has three golf courses. The Byrd Course received a full facelift, including all-new greens and fairway bunkers. The clubhouse was remodeled and a new golf shop was added, along with Sunset Prime, an upscale steak house.
The resort has privately owned properties that can be rented, and 27 townhome units were opened this year.
seatrail.com
HOTEL HERON
Alexandria, Virginia
Located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, just minutes away from Washington, D.C., Hotel Heron is a mix of old and new.
Opened in June 2024, the boutique hotel combines the original George Mason Hotel, which opened in 1926, with a new adjacent building that houses a modern event space and upscale guest rooms.
The 134-room hotel has a beautiful 2,355-square-foot ballroom with 17-foot ceilings, hardwood floors and windows on both sides that can accommodate 120 guests.
The Assembly Room can be used for smaller meetings or events and can be divided into two rooms with 14-foot ceilings.
The hotel features KILN, a ground-floor restaurant that serves hearth-inspired Mid-Atlantic cuisine; Francis Hall, a craft cocktail bar in the heart of the hotel; and Good Fortune, an open-air seasonal rooftop bar with spectacular views of the Potomac River. Good Fortune is the first rooftop bar in Alexandria, offering craft cocktails, eclectic DJs and a summer concert series.
The hotel’s prime location allows guests to explore Old Town, the King Street Mile for shopping and dining, the Alexandria waterfront, and historic landmarks such as Mount Vernon and Tall Ship Providence.
heronalexandria.com
Photos courtesy Hotel Heron
A GUEST ROOM WORKSPACE AT HOTEL HERON
HOTEL HERON BEDDING
A HOTEL HERON PARTY POD
HOTEL HERON'S ROOFTOP BAR, GOOD FORTUNE
Manatee photo by David Schrichteat Blue Spring State Park
Valor Hall is booking for 2025 & 2026!
We have hosted a variety of events including kickboxing, wrestling, military balls, and concerts! Valor Hall has played host to streamed and televised sporting events!
Valor Hall offers over 10,000 square feet of regular meeting space along with 6,000 square feet of glass enclosed pre-function space and several breakout rooms.
Valor Hall is also located on the grounds of a disc golf course where tournaments take place multiple times a year! If you are planning an event from afar, that's ok, we have an online tour, and our event coordinators would be happy to walk you through everything over a call.
Se habla español.
FRIENDLY AFFORDABLE and
A DISTINCTIVE DOWNTOWN AND AFFORDABLE PRICING MAKE KNOXVILLE AN ATTRACTIVE DESTINATION FOR VALUE-FOCUSED MEETING PLANNERS.
These Southern destinations offer extraordinary value
BY CYNTHIA BARNES
Planning and executing successful meetings requires talent and skill — and that’s especially true when working with a tight budget. Fortunately, many Southern destinations offer affordable meeting venues, services and lodging, and working within a budget need not limit your ability to create events that are both appealing and memorable.
Here are five locations that offer extraordinary value for your meeting budget.
Courtesy Visit Knoxville
HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
For an out-of-this-world meeting destination, consider Huntsville. Located in northern Alabama (just two hours from Nashville, less than four hours from Atlanta, and served from 14 destinations by USA Today’s Best Small Airport), “Rocket City” is a great space for groups of all sizes.
“Huntsville really is the perfect place for planners on a budget,” said Jamie Koshofer, vice president of conventions at the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “For starters, our convention space, the Von Braun Center, offers incentives such as no sales tax and discounted service charges. They also allow you to bring in your own audio/visual company at no additional charge, but they also have a very budget-friendly A/V team in-house as well as food and beverage. It’s very one-stop-shop service at the convention center, and it’s right downtown.”
The convention center has over 170,000 square feet of multi-purpose meeting space, including a 9,000-person arena, a 2,000-person performing arts space and a 1,350-person concert hall.
Groups can hold receptions for up to 1,000 at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, where guests can gather under an authentic Saturn V Apollo moon rocket and experience space simulators that take them on a ride to Mars.
“We have a collection of hotels downtown that can meet various price points for attendees,” said Koshofer. “There’s an Embassy Suites attached to the convention center. Then within walking distance, we have a Hampton Inn, an AC hotel by Marriott, 106 Jefferson, which is a Curio property, and an Autograph by Marriott that will be open soon.”
huntsville.org
MONROE-WEST MONROE, LOUISIANA
The twin cities of Monroe and West Monroe in northern Louisiana are located just off Interstate 20, making a convenient destination that’s also loaded with Southern charm.
“We keep things very cost-friendly, and we’re very flexible,” said Claire Stapp, sales and event developer at Discover Monroe-West Monroe. “Our hotels and attractions — many of which are free or low-cost — are very flexible. Some are usually closed on Sundays and Mondays but will make arrangements to open for people. And there are discounted group rates so attendees can enjoy being here without having to compromise.”
Spanning 31 acres, the Monroe Civic Center Complex has 22,000 square feet and a variety of layouts along with A/V and a full-service kitchen for outside catering. The West Monroe Convention Center can accommodate groups of up to 1,000 with three conference halls and two elegant dining rooms. Along Bayou DeSiard, the main ballroom of the Bayou Pointe Event Center has maximum capacities of 450 people for banquets, 700 for theater seating, 750 for receptions, additional breakout rooms and an 80-seat theater. More than 2,000 hotel rooms in the twin cities welcome guests at all price points.
Smaller functions can be held in Antique Alley, where a 1929 movie theatre at 111 Cotton can accommodate groups of up to 200 and is surrounded by a lively and historic entertainment district filled with shopping, bars and restaurants.
“We like to let people check out everything on their own so they don't have to stay on a strict schedule and they can go to whatever,” said Stapp. “They always, always come back and say how kind and nice the people are at each store, no matter who’s coming in there. We really focus on that friendliness.”
monroe-westmonroe.org
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
Just hours away from the major metropolitan areas of the Eastern Seaboard, Charlottesville, Virginia, offers a unique combination of natural beauty and sophisticated lodging and meeting options, along with golf, wineries and historic landmarks — as well as great bargains in the off-seasons of winter and summer.
Courtesy Discover Monroe-West Monroe
BAYOU POINTE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
Photos courtesy Huntsville/Madison Co. CVB
“We’re only a couple of hours from the beaches, and we’re nestled right against the mountains,” said Brantley Ussery, director of marketing and public relations for the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Geographically, we’re in an area that’s just centrally located to a lot of big population centers. And for that reason, I think a lot of people in the big cities love coming out into something that feels a little bit more rural, a beautiful landscape with the mountains and everything.”
Venue spaces abound. The University of Virginia’s John Paul Jones Arena accommodates large trade shows along with seated receptions for up to 600, and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello has conference spaces for up to 300, along with outdoor events on the gracious grounds.
The region is well-known for wine, and several area vineyards offer unique venues for groups of all sizes.
visitcharlottesville.org
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE
Just west of the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville, Tennessee, was home to the 1982 World’s Fair, and that heritage is still proudly on display adjacent to Knoxville’s Convention Center.
“The World's Fair is a very big part of our history, and we still do a lot to celebrate it,” said Chad Culver, senior director of sports commission and convention sales for Visit Knoxville. “There are only three structures in the world that were built for World’s Fairs
Photos courtesy Charlottesville Albemarle CVB
THOMAS JEFFERSON’S MONTICELLO IN CHARLOTTESVILLE
A CHARLOTTESVILLE EVENT VENUE
RESTAURANT AT THE OMNI CHARLOTTESVILLE
SCAN ME
that are still standing — the Seattle Space Needle, the Eiffel Tower and our Knoxville Sunsphere.”
The sixth and eighth floors of the iconic tower are available for private events and can accommodate 350 and 150 guests, respectively.
The convention center features east Tennessee’s largest ballroom (27,000 square feet), along with 250,000 square feet of flexible space, a 461-seat lecture hall, 120,000 square feet of exhibit space and 14 breakout rooms. More than 1,800 hotel rooms are available within the square mile surrounding the convention center. It’s also just minutes from Market Square, the heart of the city’s vibrant and walkable downtown.
Nature lovers will appreciate the urban wilderness, with miles of trails just across the river, while sports lovers will want to visit the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, the only museum of its kind devoted exclusively to women’s basketball.
Culver wants planners to see for themselves.
“Getting people to town and seeing what we’re all about sells itself,” he said. “It’s a very, very cool city with the convention center and the downtown hotels. There aren’t many site visits where we don’t get the meeting. Our city and our people do the job better than we can.”
visitknoxville.com
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
Location, location, location: Many places claim to be “in the middle of everything,” but Columbia, a mid-Missouri college town, delivers.
“Columbia is not only in the center of Missouri, but we’re in the center of the United States,” said Terra Nuzum, tourism sales specialist at Visit Columbia MO. “So we’re a great central location for everyone to meet in the middle. We pride ourselves on that and say that is one of the main benefits of bringing meetings to Columbia.”
Being the home of Missouri’s flagship university makes for a budget-sensitive approach to meetings and events.
“From an economical standpoint, we are very able to accommodate a wide variety of budgets,” Nuzum explains. “A lot of our planners are on a government per diem, and so they have to work with that. We tailor activities toward what planners are looking for, and a lot of those are also very budget-friendly.”
More than 3,500 hotel rooms and a variety of meeting spaces await groups. The Columbia Expo Center and Holiday Inn Executive Center has 19,000-plus square feet. Two flexible ballrooms, four meeting rooms and an executive boardroom can accommodate groups of up to 2,500 people. In the center of the charming and walkable downtown, the Grand Ballroom at the historic Tiger Hotel can seat 200 people, and the University of Missouri-Columbia offers a wealth of auditoriums and breakout rooms for groups of all sizes.
A scenic trail system winds from the city to the banks of the Missouri River and is a favorite for cycling and walking. High on the river bluff in historic Rocheport, Les Bourgeois Vineyards offers stunning views and elegant events for smaller gatherings. visitcolumbiamo.com
TENNESSEE RIVERBOAT COUNTRY IN KNOXVILLE
THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI IN COLUMBIA
A TASTING AREA AT COLUMBIA’S LES BOURGEOIS VINEYARDS
Columbus, GA was selected for Convention South’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Award—this dynamic city elevates your next meeting with vibrant culture, one-of-a-kind attractions, and unparalleled hospitality. A place that inspires collaboration and ignites creativity. Columbus offers unique meeting venues, new hotels, an inventive culinary scene, diverse museums, and incredible outdoor attractions. When it comes to your next meeting, we’ll help you plan every detail.
Plan your visit!
WORK PLAY and
Southern gaming destinations bring the fun for meetings
BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH
Southeastern gaming destinations are a sure bet for meetings success. Meeting groups seeking to host events in prime gaming destinations should look no further than these five locations that feature world class horse racing, abundant casino games, and plenty of outdoor activities, history and entertainment to keep them coming back for more.
Hot Springs, Arkansas, is best known for its historic bathhouses and Hot Springs National Park, but it is also a premiere gaming destination. Oaklawn, which is known for its Thoroughbred racetrack, also has a casino and sports betting.
For more than 100 years, Oaklawn Racing has hosted some of the biggest names in Thoroughbred racing, including Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh and 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan. Since its founding, Oaklawn has rebranded to Oaklawn Hot Springs, an expanded destination with a boutique 200-room hotel, gaming, dining and entertainment.
The hotel, which overlooks the racetrack, features the Astral Spa, which was given four stars by Forbes magazine in 2024, as well as a fitness center and an outdoor pool. It also has two restaurants, The Bugler and OAK.
Groups wanting to host events at Oaklawn have their pick of 18,000 square feet of flexible event space. The ballroom has 6,700 square feet of pre-function space and 14,519 square feet of meeting space that can host nearly 1,000 for a banquet and 1,750 for a reception. The space can be broken out into three separate rooms. There are also four smaller meeting rooms and a small boardroom.
The casino at Oaklawn is unique in that the majority of it is smoke-free. It is also close to Hot Springs’ major attractions and the 360,000-square foot Hot Springs Convention Center. Three lakes border the city, making it a fun destination for water sports, and the whole city is surrounded by the natural beauty of the national park and national forest.
hotsprings.org
LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA
Lake Charles is a premiere gaming destination in Louisiana with Golden Nugget Lake Charles and L’Auberge Casino Resort situated side-by-side on the Calcasieu River. Both feature stateof-the-art meeting facilities alongside entertainment options, a pool and spa, shopping and gaming, an 18-hole golf course and many dining options. The two properties are connected by a boardwalk.
Golden Nugget features 1,100 guest rooms and more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space, including its 18,000-squarefoot Grand Event Center, which can accommodate almost any event, no matter the size. In-house catering, Wi-Fi and state-ofthe-art A/V equipment are available. The casino features 1,600 slots, 87 table games, seven live-action poker tables and a brand new DraftKings Sportsbook coming soon.
L’Auberge Casino Resort offers 995 guest rooms and more than 26,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 14,140-squarefoot ballroom that can host 1,200 guests for a banquet. The room can also be divided into six separate event spaces. The Terrace, which sits off the ballroom, can host up to 400 guests for outdoor setups. The casino has 1,400 slot machines and video poker games, as well as 82 table games featuring a high-stakes style of blackjack, craps and Pai Gow poker.
Lake Charles is also known for its cuisine, including Southern, Cajun and Creole, and its authentic Cajun/Zydeco musical heritage. The Creole Nature Trail gives visitors a chance to view sunbathing alligators and more than 400 species of migratory birds. There are also numerous golf courses, hiking trails, wildlife refuges, and kayaking and boating opportunities.
visitlakecharles.org
MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST
Groups that want to include gaming in their events will find many opportunities on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, which features 12 casinos stretching from Waveland to Pascagoula — many of which have meeting or event spaces.
Biloxi has eight casinos, including the three largest facilities on the coast with meeting space. Beau Rivage Resort and Casino
Photos courtesy Visit Hot Springs
THE TRACKSIDE HOTEL AT OAKLAWN HOT SPRINGS
THE SPA AT OAKLAWN
OAKLAWN GAMING
Courtesy Visit Lake Charles
GOLDEN NUGGET LAKE CHARLES
is the largest in the area with 1,740 rooms and over 50,000 square feet of meeting space. It also offers a full-service spa and salon, entertainment, and several restaurants and bars to choose from, including a buffet, a coffee shop and a steakhouse.
IP Casino Resort Spa has 1,100 guest rooms and more than 65,000 square feet of meeting space. Studio A showcases headliner entertainment, from famous musicians to comedians. Golden Nugget Biloxi has 745 rooms and 22,000 square feet of function space. All three are on the waterfront and close to several worldclass golf courses and plenty of water activities.
There are two casino resorts in Bay St. Louis, the Silver Slipper Casino Hotel and Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast.
The Gulf Coast is known for its amazing seafood, wildlife, watersports and beautiful beaches. Gulf Islands National Seashore spans 160 miles in Florida and Mississippi. Of the six barrier islands of Coastal Mississippi, four are included in the national seashore, offering bayous and marshes that are home to alligators and birds, white sand beaches for relaxing and swimming, and many ways to get out on the water for sightseeing and fishing. coastalmississippi.com
CHEROKEE, NORTH CAROLINA
Cherokee, North Carolina, is not only a gaming destination but also a place known for the tranquility of nature, outdoor
Photos courtesy Coastal Mississippi
THE BEAU RIVAGE IN BILOXI
CASINOS IN COASTAL MISSISSIPPI
HARD ROCK CASINO BILOXI
This is your breakout session.
adventures and the cultural richness of the Cherokee people. Right next door to the Great Smoky Mountains, Cherokee is a gateway to hiking, mountain biking, fishing, swimming, horseback riding, rock climbing, kayaking, tubing, golf and wildlife viewing.
The Museum of the Cherokee People gives visitors a chance to learn more about the culture, art and heritage of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Oconaluftee Indian Village highlights the traditions, culture and stories of the Cherokee through live demonstrations, music and storytelling.
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort is the prime gaming destination in Cherokee, with 3,000 slot machines, more than 160 table games and a 90-foot sportsbook screen. With 1,833 guest rooms, the resort can accommodate groups of all sizes. It offers two swimming pools, a spa and salon, a fitness center and 12 restaurants and venues. It features 132,000 square feet of conference and event space and can host groups from 10 to 3,000. The convention center’s first floor houses the 32,745-square-foot Cherokee Exhibit Hall, which can host groups up to 3,531 theater-style. It includes 9,766 square feet of pre-function space. The Cherokee Convention Center has 32,092 square feet of space that can host 1,920 guests for a banquet or more than 3,700 theater-style. The center also has 14 smaller meeting spaces, pre-function space and a small boardroom.
visitcherokee.com
CHARLES TOWN, WEST VIRGINIA
Only 10 minutes from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, Charles Town is tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was named after Charles Washington, the brother of George Washington, and is full of historical homes and locations with ties to the Washington family, including Charles Washington’s home, Happy Retreat, which is open to the public several times a year.
Charles Town is also a desirable gaming destination, featuring Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races on the city’s main street. The racetrack was known as Shenandoah Downs before the hotel and casino were built. The Inn at Charles Town has 153 rooms and is adjacent to the racetrack and offers a free shuttle between the two.
The casino property gives off classic movie vibes and features 1,900 slot machines and more than 70 table games. It has a live poker room and a sportsbook, which is about to rebrand as the ESPN Sportsbook, with over 30 TVs and one jumbotron.
The property has a live entertainment venue that can hold 1,200 seated. The Hollywood Ballroom on the third floor of the casino, which can host 350 for a banquet, offers views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the racetrack. The Shenandoah Room inside the Inn at Charles Town can be divided into two separate rooms with an outside patio and can accommodate up to 70 guests. The Final Cut Steakhouse is perfect for smaller groups of 25 or fewer. hollywoodcasinocharlestown.com
Courtesy Jefferson Co. CVB
Courtesy Jefferson Co. CVB
Courtesy Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
Courtesy Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
Courtesy Jefferson Co. CVB
THE VIP CHECK-IN AREA AT HARRAH’S CHEROKEE
DOWNTOWN CHARLES TOWN
CHARLES TOWN SCENERY
HARRAH'S CHEROKEE CASINO RESORT EXTERIOR
Oaklawn Hot Springs is a one-stop shop for your next meeting or convention! With a Forbes Recommended hotel, live Thoroughbred racing, a smoke-free casino, more than 18,000 square feet of flexible event space and a talented hospitality team, you’ll find everything you need for a successful, memorable meeting.
Oaklawn Hotel
GALAS GALLERIES and
These Southern museums make excellent event venues
BY CYNTHIA BARNES
Hotel banquet rooms and convention centers are appropriate for many meetings, but sometimes planners are looking for venues that are more memorable. Whether for an off-site evening or an entire day-long event, a museum can provide the perfect setting for an experience that is both unique and special.
In addition to their one-of-a-kind atmospheres, museums often have modern facilities ideal for meetings like auditoriums, breakout rooms, and A/V and food and beverage services. Here are five museums in the Southeast perfect for your next unforgettable event.
Courtesy International African American Museum
EXTERIOR SPACES AT CHARLESTON’S INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM PAY TRIBUTE TO THE ENSLAVED MEN AND WOMEN WHO WERE TRAFFICKED THROUGH THE SITE.
BOOTH WESTERN ART MUSEUM
Cartersville, Georgia
The largest permanent exhibition space for Western art in the world is located not in Dallas or Denver but surprisingly in a city of 25,000 on the edge of the Atlanta metro area. Opened in 2003, the Smithsonian-affiliated Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, covers 120,000 square feet. In addition to works by classic Western artists such as Frederic Remington and Charles Bierstadt, the museum houses movie posters; presidential portraits and letters; contemporary, Civil War and Indigenous art and illustrations; stagecoaches; and an interactive hands-on gallery for children.
“It’s really a unique and inspiring setting,” said Morgan Huntington, the museum’s director of marketing. “The galleries and meeting spaces are an impressive environment.”
Guests can wander the sculpture-studded grounds and the museum exhibits before repairing to the intimate private dining room or one of the two ballrooms, which can be combined to accommodate up to 240 people total. The Booth Theatre seats up to 140, and the cafe and patio can seat 64 or 75 for a standing reception. The grand atrium and sculpture hall are available as an add-on to other events.
Audiovisual equipment includes microphones, a podium, and access to projection screens. In-house catering is available, but planners may also choose from a preferred vendor list. boothmuseum.org
HISTORY MUSEUM OF MOBILE
Mobile, Alabama
Once Mobile, Alabama’s city hall, the History Museum of Mobile is a stately institution and the perfect location to learn about the city’s diverse and rich history. More than 20,000 square feet of exhibit space interpret Mobile’s history from pre-Colonial contact to its present role as a modern port city.
The iconic marble lobby has a grand staircase, atrium and historic murals dating to the 1930s. Capacity is 225 standing or 125 seated at tables. The elegant Hearin-Chandler Auditorium is ideal for workshops, board meetings or small conferences, with a capacity of 250 standing or 200 in theater seating. The picturesque courtyard provides an atmospheric outdoor charm and accommodates 120 standing or 75 seated at tables, and the museum classroom can hold 75 standing or 65 at tables. The Charlotte Room accommodates 50 standing or 30 seated.
Meeting planners can share Mobile’s heritage with their guests by opening the galleries throughout the museum during your event. The museum’s private events calendar is often completely booked (and they do not hold events during the Mardi Gras season), so plan well in advance to secure space at this venue.
historymuseumofmobile.com
TWO MISSISSIPPI MUSEUMS
Jackson, Mississippi
Sixteen galleries in two interconnected museums in Jackson, Mississippi, tell the many stories of the state, from the Indigenous peoples who lived there thousands of years ago to the men and women who gave birth to the Civil Rights Movement.
“The state history museum was located in the Old State Capitol until 2005 and Hurricane Katrina,” said Michael Morris, direct of the Two Mississippi Museums. “Our Civil Rights museum is an effort that started on the campus of [Jackson’s] Tougaloo College.
Photos courtesy Booth Museum of Western Art
THE BOOTH WESTERN ART MUSEUM EXTERIOR
A BOOTH GALLERY
SCULPTURES AT CARTERSVILLE’S
Courtesy Visit Mobile
HISTORY MUSEUM OF MOBILE
In 2009, the state legislature and the governor made the decision to bring both of these projects under one roof. Today we have a facility that’s about 220,000 square feet that includes two museums, a cafe and store, and about 8,000 square feet of special exhibit space on the second floor. We cover the whole swath of all 15,000 years of Mississippi's history, starting with the Native American experience.”
The museums’ combined collections contain more than 20,000 artifacts.
“On display, just in our museum of history alone, you’re going to see about 1,500 artifacts. The first artifact that you’ll see when you go in the museum is a 25-foot canoe called the Swan Lake Canoe that was found by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1989. If you look closely at it, you can really see the ingenuity, the creativity of the Native Americans that made it.”
Groups can gather in nine event spaces, including the Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium, which seats about 350 comfortably or 250 at tables. The Nancy and Ray Neilsen Hall of History, a long hallway with dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, is also popular for receptions of up to 400. Trustmark Commons has a capacity of 150.
Full A/V is available, and catering is available on-site or through licensed caterers.
2mm.mdah.ms.gov
Photos by Rory Doyle, courtesy MS DAH
THE ENTRANCE TO JACKSON’S TWIN MUSEUMS
MUSEUM OF MISSISSIPPI HISTORY
MISSISSIPPI CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM
HUNTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Sitting atop a limestone bluff overlooking the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Hunter Museum of American Art’s buildings include a 1905 Classical Revival mansion, a 1970s structure and a 2005 contemporary addition. Opened in 1952, the museum has a collection of more than 3,000 works.
“The Hunter Museum was built in three different stages over 100 years, so it’s pretty unique,” said Amber Goodman, the museum’s special events manager. “We’ve got quite a collection. American art is our main focus; not necessarily that it’s only American artists, but it is artists, both European and American, who have worked here in the States.”
The collection ranges from the Colonial period to the present day, encompassing painting, sculpture, contemporary studio glass and crafts. Private events can accommodate up to 1,200 guests, according to Goodman.
“It requires activating all of our spaces, including our terrace,” she said. “Because you can't bring food or drinks into the galleries. But we can accommodate 1,200.”
The total square footage of event space is more than 15,000, and spaces include the 1,400 square foot auditorium, the 2,400-square-foot lobby and multiple terraces. Full in-house A/V is available, as well as catering from approved vendors. huntermuseum.org
INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM
Charleston, South Carolina
Completed just a few months before the beginning of the American Revolution, Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston, South Carolina, played a very significant role in the history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade to North America. Tens of thousands of Africans stolen from their homes landed at this wharf in Charleston, leaving a legacy of death, brutality and disease. Opened on that site in 2023, the International African American Museum tells unvarnished stories of trauma and triumph and examines how the resistance and resilience of these people and their descendants have shaped the world.
Framed by a gateway to the Atlantic Ocean, the museum is surrounded by the 2.3-acre African Ancestors Memorial Garden. Permanent exhibitions feature more than 150 historical objects, more than 30 works of art, nearly 50 films and digital interactive experiences that bring history to life.
Indoors, the museum can accommodate 115 seated or 215 for receptions. The outdoor West Yard has a capacity of 420 in theater-style, 300 seated, and 700 for receptions. There is inhouse A/V, and local vendors are available for catering. iaamuseum.org
Courtesy International African American Museum
Courtesy International African American Museum
Courtesy Hunter Museum of American Art
Courtesy Hunter Museum of American Art
Courtesy International African American Museum
A HUNTER MUSEUM TERRACE EVENT SETUP
THE LOBBY AUDITORIUM AT CHATTANOOGA’S HUNTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
THE EXTERIOR OF CHARLESTON’S INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM
NATURE NURTURE and
Southern state parks offer serene settings for meetings
BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH
Southern state parks offer natural settings, from beautiful lakes to rugged mountains, that can elevate any meeting. The following five state parks make perfect spots for meeting groups to combine conferences with stunning scenery and outdoor adventure.
Courtesy Kentucky State Parks
KENTUCKY’S JENNY WILEY STATE RESORT PARK OFFERS ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEETING FACILITIES OVERLOOKING DEWEY LAKE.
DEGRAY LAKE RESORT STATE PARK
Bismarck, Arkansas
Thirty minutes from Hot Springs, Arkansas, DeGray Lake Resort State Park is known for its beautiful lake and rocky islands. Groups wanting to host meetings at the park can book rooms at the lodge, which is on an island off the north shore of the lake. It has 90 guest rooms. The conference center, which has glass windows on one side for beautiful lake views, can hold up to 200 people. The room can be sectioned into three separate rooms and a reception area. There is a full-service restaurant and bar that handles all of the on-site catering.
The lodge also has two breakout rooms that can accommodate 30 people each and a small boardroom for six guests.
Between the lodge and the lake is a large event lawn that can host groups of up to 300. There’s also a playground, a sand volleyball court, bicycle rentals, a gift shop and a lighted walking path. The Island Trail follows the western shoreline of the island. The park also has 113 campsites, three yurts and an 18-hole championship golf course.
There is a disk golf course in the park, and groups can bring their own boats with them to take advantage of the lake. There are five walking trails within the park, and a marked paddle trail for kayaks and standup paddle boards with interpretive signs in a secluded cove. Groups can take sunset cruises, snorkeling tours or guided kayak paddles, or participate in a nighttime golf course safari, where groups explore the course in golf carts to look for wildlife.
arkansasstateparks.com
JENNY WILEY STATE RESORT PARK
Prestonsburg, Kentucky
Located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Kentucky’s Jenny Wiley State Resort Park has a 49-room lodge overlooking Dewey Lake, as well as eight one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom cottages. The facility is surrounded by pine trees and peaceful mountain settings.
The conference center is one large room that can host groups of 500 for a banquet or 800 theater-style and also includes premeeting space for registration or casual receptions. There are also six smaller meeting rooms in the park that can host between 50 and 300 people for a banquet. Two smaller meeting rooms off the lobby are perfect for board meetings. All told, the conference center can host events for 10 to 800 people.
The Music Highway Grill offers bar and food service every day except Monday and Tuesday. It can accommodate 132 guests. Full-service catering and bar service are available at all rentable areas in the park.
For fun, groups can rent pontoon boats or canoes to enjoy the lake or go fishing. There are also 10 miles of hiking trails, mountain biking trails, team-building opportunities, and planned recreation and naturalist activities.
Jenny Wiley is also a major birding destination and one of the few places in the state where groups can take an elk-viewing tour. parks.ky.gov
HICKORY KNOB STATE RESORT PARK
McCormick, South Carolina
Hickory Knob State Resort Park is located on South Carolina’s 71,100-acre Lake Thurmond, a reservoir ideal for fishing, boating and other watersports. It is the only park in South Carolina that has a hotel and restaurant. The park has 76 lodge rooms, a barracks that sleeps up to 10 and the restored Historic French Huguenot Guillebeau House, a two-bedroom home that can sleep up to four.
The convention center, which features a fireplace, kitchen and restrooms, can seat up to 100 guests. The Long Cane Center has a kitchen and restrooms and can seat up to 200. On-site catering
Photos courtesy Arkansas State Parks
ARKANSAS’ DEGRAY LAKE RESORT STATE PARK SWIMMING AT DEGRAY LAKE
DEGRAY LAKE RESORT STATE PARK MEETING ATTENDEES
Courtesy Kentucky State Parks
A DINING ROOM AT JENNY WILEY STATE RESORT PARK
and Wi-Fi are available in all of the park’s meeting spaces.
Groups can rent out the restaurant, which can seat up to 200, or the Bordeaux room in the restaurant, which can seat 75. The park is well-known for its 18-hole championship golf course that was designed by Tom Jackson. The challenging course is situated on the shores of Lake Thurmond. The park also has skeet shooting, archery and axe-throwing ranges, as well as nearly 12 miles of hiking and biking trails. There is a boat ramp with kayak and canoe rentals and an outdoor recreation area with cornhole, horseshoes, ladderball, a firepit and a picnic area with grills.
The park also has a practice putting green by the lodge, a swimming pool and three boat docks for people who want to bring their boats.
southcarolinaparks.com
CACAPON RESORT STATE PARK
Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
Cacapon Resort State Park sits in the shadow of a mountain ridge in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle. The park covers more than 6,000 acres and is a major draw for history buffs because of its proximity to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Groups wanting to stay in the park and host a meeting or event can book rooms at Cacapon Resort, choosing from 120 lodge rooms and 31 cabins, including six economy cabins.
Big Charm for Small Events
Plan your next small meeting or event in Winchester, just 30 minutes from Lexington. Choose from unique venues like wineries, historic mansions, breweries, and performing arts centers—all offering flexible, customizable options.
Enjoy charming downtown attractions, local dining, and outdoor adventures in a picturesque, accessible setting. Contact us at (859)744-0556 or info@visitwinchesterky.com to start planning today. visitwinchesterky.com
SOUTH CAROLINA’S HICKORY KNOB STATE RESORT PARK
THE HICKORY KNOB STATE RESORT PARK GOLF COURSE HICKORY KNOB ACCOMMODATIONS
PLACES
MEET. PLACES
PLAY. PLACES
The resort has 13,120 square feet of meeting and conference space, including the Lord Fairfax and George Washington rooms, which combined can host 200 for a banquet or 300 theater-style. The Daniel Morgan Room can host smaller groups of 35 for a banquet. The Old Inn features 12 guest rooms with one large meeting space, making it perfect for small group gatherings. The Bath House has 2,763 square feet of space for meetings or banquets of 80 guests.
Food and beverages are available in the Cacapon Dining Room, which can accommodate 120.
Cacapon Resort includes a full-service spa and a championship golf course. There is a golf pro shop and snack bar, horseback riding, a seasonal beach for lake swimming, tennis and game courts, paddle boats, fishing, hiking trails, a lighted walking trail, and a naturalist program and nature center. A new $3.5 million bike park expansion is coming soon.
wvstateparks.com
FONTAINEBLEAU STATE PARK
Mandeville, Louisiana
Fontainebleau State Park is one of the oldest state parks in Louisiana. It is located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain,
THE GOLF COURSE AND LODGE AT WEST VIRGINIA’S CACAPON RESORT STATE PARK
an hour north of New Orleans and just three miles from the Northshore town of Mandeville. It is known for its beautiful sunsets over the water, its sandy beach and spectacular kayaking.
Fontainebleau was once the site of a large sugar mill built under the direction of Creole planter and senator Bernard de Marigny in 1829. The plantation fell into disrepair long ago, but groups visiting the park can tour the brick structures that remain and learn more about the man who built the mill inside the park’s visitor center.
There are several lodging options at the park, including 12 two-bedroom cabins that sleep eight and a standard lodge that sleeps up to 10 people. Group Camp I includes a dining hall and two dormitories that can sleep up to 100 guests. Group Camp III includes a dining hall and two dormitories that sleep up to 65 people.
Groups of up to 100 can rent pavilions equipped with grills and fire rings. There’s also a meeting room that can host 50 people for conference and theater setups. A decommissioned rail line has been turned into part of the 27-mile Tammany Trace trail, which runs through the park and is perfect for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Interpretive ranger programming is available throughout the year, and visitors can also rent kayaks along the lake shore.
