From lakes and rivers to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, the South’s many waterfront destinations are perfect places for meeting groups to incorporate fun on the water into their meetings and events.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia, sits on the Savannah River, about 15 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. The area’s waterways are an integral part of the visitor experience, with plenty of options to explore barrier islands or take scenic cruises, either by private boat or aboard the historic Georgia Queen Riverboat.
Attendees can dine along the river or take a short drive to Tybee Island on the Atlantic with its sandy beaches, wooden pier and the Tybee Island Light Station & Museum. Visitors to the island can take an eco-kayak tour, nature walk or sunset cruise to explore the town, its marshes and surrounding waters.
Meeting groups can stay at several hotels in the historic district of the city and take the free ferry to the brand-new expanded convention center across the river on Hutchinson Island.
The Savannah Convention Center offers 660,000 square feet of event space, which includes a 40,000-square-foot ballroom, a 25,000-square-foot ballroom, 200,000 square feet of exhibit space, 27 meeting rooms, a 367-seat auditorium, three new dining outlets and Zoom rooms.
The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa is adjacent to the convention center, and Hilton broke ground on a 444-room Signia by Hilton Savannah hotel in October that is expected to open in 2028.
Little Rock, Arkansas
The state capital of Arkansas, Little Rock is in the very center of the state on the Arkansas River.
The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, which overlooks the river, is a top attraction and meeting destination with more than 10,000 square feet of event space. The 220,000-square-foot Statehouse Convention Center backs up to the river and features an 18,362-square-foot ballroom that can hold 1,300 for a banquet. The Governor’s Halls encompass 82,892 square feet of exhibition space that can be divided into four spaces, and groups can use six smaller meeting spaces and the Toltec Lobby, which can serve as pre-function or event space.
The 418-room Little Rock Marriott, which is connected to the convention center, features 44,747 square feet of event space that can host groups of 1,000. Hotel guests can step outside and be in the city’s 33-acre Julius Breckling Riverfront Park, which spans 11 blocks and features a History Pavilion and sculpture garden. The Robinson Center, two blocks away, features nearly 25,000 square feet of event space, including a large ballroom and terrace with river views.
Mobile, Alabama
One of the oldest cities on the Gulf Coast, Mobile, Alabama, is known for its history, culture, culinary arts and natural beauty. The first Mardi Gras in North America was held there in 1703, and the city embraces that history by continuing this 322-year-old tradition and celebrating it at the Mobile Carnival Museum.
The Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center is easily walkable to hotels, entertainment, shopping and restaurants. The convention center looks out over the Mobile River and features 317,000 square feet of event space.
The oldest hotel in the city, The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa, is near the convention center and has 238 rooms and 28,539 square feet of event space. The Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel is connected to the convention center via skybridge and has 373 rooms and 39,438 square feet of meeting space.
Meeting groups wanting to get out on the water can book a dinner cruise on the Perdido Queen riverboat, which docks behind the convention center, or visit Historic Blakeley State Park, which offers cruises, hiking and biking trails, battlefield tours and horseback riding. Groups can also tour the World War II battleship USS Alabama and submarine USS Drum at USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia, sits on the Atlantic Ocean and boasts 28 miles of beachfront property and a 3-mile-long boardwalk. The Oceanfront district has many hotels that are steps away from the beach, allowing meeting attendees to seamlessly blend work with coastal experiences.
The Virginia Beach Convention Center features over 500,000 square feet of flexible event space, including a 150,921-square-foot column-free exhibit hall and a 31,000-square-foot ballroom. The Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club is an elegant property with meeting spaces and ocean views, and the Virginia Beach Sports Center has 285,000 square feet of space for large gatherings, tournaments or other events.
The Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort and Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront hotel offer direct beach access and dedicated meeting facilities. The Spark by Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront opened in July 2025 after a full renovation and rebrand.
For fun, groups can visit Atlantic Park Surf, a new surf lagoon that opened in 2025 that offers live entertainment and dining. To get out into nature, groups can visit First Landing State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge for kayaking, trails and eco adventures. There are also dolphin cruises, sunset cruises and charter fishing expeditions.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
The Tennessee River runs through the heart of downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Tennessee Riverwalk connects hotels, venues, outdoor spaces and attractions. Groups visiting the city can explore Coolidge Park, enjoy riverfront dining and revel in rooftop views of downtown. On the water, groups can kayak or paddleboard on the river, take a scenic river cruise or enjoy a private charter.
Other attractions in the area include the Tennessee Aquarium and Lookout Mountain, which includes a ride up the Incline Railway and a tour of Ruby Falls, a waterfall and cave experience.
The 185,000-square-foot Chattanooga Convention Center is the largest event facility in the city. It features 100,800 square feet of column-free exhibition space, 21 meeting rooms and 40,000 square feet of pre-function space. It is connected to the 341-room Chattanooga Marriott Downtown, which can host groups of 500 in its Plaza Ballroom. A free downtown electric shuttle connects the convention center to 2,500 hotel rooms.
Nearby, The Westin Chattanooga offers 259 rooms and nearly 15,000 square feet of meeting space. Unique venues include Erlanger Park, which opens in April 2026, and the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach offers 60 miles of white sandy beaches in an iconic South Carolina coastal setting. Most of the city’s meeting and convention properties are oceanfront with easy access to the boardwalk.
The Sheraton Myrtle Beach hotel connects to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and offers 400 guest rooms and 250,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space, including a 100,000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall; a nearly 17,000-square-foot ballroom; 17 smaller meeting rooms; and plenty of pre-function space. There’s also a 30,000-square-foot Events Plaza and the 100,000-square-foot Myrtle Beach Sports Center on the campus. The convention center can host groups of up to 6,000.
Several oceanfront hotels offer event space, including Landmark Resort, Marriott Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes, and Marina Inn at Grande Dunes. The Marina Inn offers lunch and dinner cruises directly from the hotel, and guests can rent pontoon boats, jet skis, go deep sea fishing or explore the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, which is close to Brookgreen Gardens. There are dolphin cruises, eco cruises and private beaches to explore.
Huntington Beach State Park is nearby, and the community features 90 golf courses, theaters for entertainment and several restaurants that offer dancing and live music.
