Salt, sand and sun make hosting meetings a breeze.
Whether they’re trying to beat cold winter weather or simply adding a vacation onto their meetings, attendees flock to coastal destinations like few other places. Their abundance of maritime activities and attractions inspire a laid-back feel that simultaneously refreshes and inspires, and planners will love having plenty of options for stunning waterfront venues, hotels and attractions.
From seafood capitals to charming seaside cultural hubs, here are five incredible meeting and event destinations from coast to coast.
Wilmington, North Carolina
With access to three nearby beach towns teeming with resorts, Wilmington, North Carolina, combines a laid-back feel, a historic downtown and plenty of capable venues, making it a phenomenal East Coast meetings destination.
At 107,000 square feet, the downtown Wilmington Convention Center is the largest convention center on the state’s coast. Managed by ASM Global, the facility offers river views and indoor-outdoor spaces for up to 2,000 attendees. There are 900 hotel rooms within walking distance, including the Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center, with 125 guest rooms and a 7,300-square-foot ballroom; the Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront, with a 4,000-square-foot rooftop bar, 186 guest rooms and seven total meeting rooms; and the Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, with 20,000 square feet of meeting space and 272 guest rooms. Three additional properties provide excellent overflow accommodations.
Wilmington’s maritime setting is great for off-sites. The Pier at Port City Marina, at the end of Wilmington’s Riverwalk, can accommodate everything from large concerts to small cocktail parties, and local food trucks can be reserved to cater private events. For an event or off-site on the water, Cape Fear Riverboats offers sunset and sightseeing cruises for groups. For something historic, the Bellamy Mansion Museum can host up to 150 people in a historic and elegant setting. In their downtime, attendees can peruse the city’s other historic attractions with a walking tour of the downtown historic district or a visit to the Battleship North Carolina.
Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi is one of the largest of 12 cities making up the Coastal Mississippi region. Sometimes called “the Secret Coast,” the area is known for its fresh seafood, numerous world-class casinos and lots of barrier islands to explore.
“We’re a super affordable destination and very easy to get to,” said Ari Covacevich, director of sales and business development for Coastal Mississippi. “We have golf, gambling, fishing, aquariums, museums, art, history and culture. We’re not just a regular beach town.”
Biloxi is home to many of Coastal Mississippi’s meeting venues. The Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center is a 400,000-square-foot beachfront venue popular for hosting concerts and rodeos as well as conferences and conventions. It features over 130,000 square feet of exhibit space and several large ballrooms that can be broken down into smaller meeting rooms with dozens of configurations.
Biloxi is also home to several casino hotels, which can double as meeting venues. The Beau Rivage Resort & Casino features 1,740 guest rooms and 50,000 square feet of meeting space. IP Casino Resort Spa has about 1,100 rooms and 65,000 square feet of meeting space, and the Golden Nugget Biloxi Hotel & Casino offers 22,000 square feet of meeting space and over 700 guest rooms.
Biloxi’s popular attractions double as fascinating venues for off-sites, team building or social events. The Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, Ground Zero Blues Club and The Grand Sofia, a new beachfront event venue, are popular options.
Portland, Maine
Coastal towns in the Northeast region have a charm all their own. While they might not have the tropical feel of other coastal destinations, they make up for it with stunning scenery, incredible seafood, quaint beach towns and lots of culture. Portland, Maine, lives up to this reputation with its focus on arts throughout its historic downtown.
Portland has several downtown hotels with meeting and event space, including The Westin Portland Harborview, with an on-site spa, 16,000 square feet of meeting space and 289 guest rooms; The Press Hotel, Autograph Collection with 110 sleeping rooms and just over 2,300 square feet of event space; and the 130-room Hyatt Place Portland Downtown, with a 1,050-square-foot meeting room.
In the heart of downtown, Merrill Auditorium is a 1,908-seat theater that is used for concerts and performances and can also be rented for corporate functions. For an event right on the water, planners should look to Ocean Gateway, a venue with floor-to-ceiling windows that can accommodate up to 250 for a banquet. Just outside of downtown, the Portland Exposition Building is a multipurpose venue that can host larger events like concerts, conferences and trade shows.
When they’re done with their meetings, attendees can visit the Portland Museum of Art, check out the city’s emerging craft brewery scene or explore the Old Port, the historic district of renovated warehouses that have been converted to restaurants and breweries.
Charleston, South Carolina
Known as “The Queen City,” Charleston, South Carolina, has plenty of Southern hospitality to dole out — and just as much charm. While leisure travelers love strolling through the Charleston City Market and along Rainbow Row, and visiting its beautiful plantation homes and gardens, the city can also be a stunning backdrop for coastal meetings and events.
The Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston is a 20-minute drive from downtown and features 77,000 square feet of exhibit space. The adjacent Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Airport Hotel & Convention Center has 255 guest rooms, but there are over 2,000 hotel rooms within a mile of the convention center. Many hotels also feature additional ballroom space, such as the Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Airport and the Crowne Plaza Charleston Airport Convention Center, each of which has 5,000 square feet of meeting space.
If they’re looking to host a meeting in downtown Charleston, planners should consider the Charleston Gaillard Center, a historic venue with an 1,800-seat theater and a 13,000-square-foot ballroom. It’s within walking distance to other popular attractions in the historic district. Other off-site options include the Gibbes Museum of Art, which can accommodate banquets of up to 350 in its garden or 70 in its rotunda; the South Carolina Aquarium, which can host banquets for up to 200 attendees; and The Carolina Girl, a private events yacht that can hold up to 125 passengers.
Monterey, California
Close enough to the tech hubs of Silicon Valley and the Bay Area, but far enough from the overwhelming crowds and high costs, the coastal California city of Monterey offers just the right blend of innovation and relaxation. It’s also a good fit for those looking to plan more sustainable meetings and events, thanks to its modernized venues, its green planning initiatives and its location near Salinas Valley, an agricultural region nicknamed “America’s Salad Bowl.”
“Monterey is known for its close proximity to major metropolitan areas, but with more of an inspirational, coastal atmosphere,” said Teresa Savage, senior vice president of business operations for See Monterey. “We like to say the sun shines differently here.”
In Monterey, planners will find several top venues right next to the wharf, including the Monterey Conference Center, which is attached to two hotels: the Portola Hotel & Spa and Monterey Marriott. Of its 40,000-plus square feet, the conference center’s largest space is a ballroom with just over 19,000 square feet, divisible into two smaller rooms. There’s also the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa, with 550 guest rooms and 40,000 square feet of event space. Nearby communities in the Monterey area are home to resorts like the Bernardus Lodge & Spa and Carmel Valley Ranch, which each have their own meeting and event facilities.
What really makes an event stand out in Monterey is the area’s off-sites and attendee activities, which are sure to boost attendance. These include the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, which can host events for up to 2,000 attendees, as well as the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Links. Nearby wineries, parks and even drives along the coast create an unforgettable attendee experience.
