From underwater art exhibits to Appalachian culinary adventures or urban wilderness exploration, these Southeast destinations have plenty to offer for incentive planners.
“There’s no shortage of unique venues and experiences in the District,” says Kristin Schneider, VP of Sales, ATL Airport District. “The Porsche Experience Center boasts ultra-modern conference and boardroom spaces overlooking the two test tracks and luxury sportscars. Events reach new heights in the Delta Flight Museum’s artfully renovated 1940s airplane hangars. The Backstage Tour of Chick-fil-A’s headquarters offers an interactive teambuilding outing. If that isn’t enough, the District is just 10 miles from popular downtown Atlanta attractions.”
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is adjoined to the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) by the ATL SkyTrain (providing free rides between the two 24/7), which makes it the only convention center directly connected to a major U.S. airport. Recent openings in the District include the Hilton Atlanta Airport College Park and connected Home2 Suites by Hilton Atlanta Airport College Park, which both opened in September 2023 adding a combined 253 rooms to the Gateway Center Campus. Ground has also broken for a new Sheraton hotel projected to open in 2025, and in Q2 of 2024, the new Gateway Pedestrian Bridge and Trail Project will connect the Gateway Center Campus to Downtown College Park, making it easy for attendees to get to and from more meeting hotels, restaurants and entertainment spots.
“While there is a constant growing interest in sustainability, the aspects of what sustainability means to planners and event attendees has changed,” says Schneider. “These days, environmental impact isn’t the only sustainable measure being considered. Things like identifying locations with minimal travel, finding certified suppliers, and partnering with the local community to incorporate social responsibility opportunities have helped planners give their attendees a purpose-driven experience.”
“We offer a plethora of incentive experiences that guests are fortunate to enjoy,” says Jonathan Brashier, VP of Meetings, Conventions & Events, VisitGreenvilleSC. “The Grand Bohemian, situated amidst the picturesque Falls Park at the heart of downtown, provides opulent accommodations along with top-notch spa and dining options all within one elegant setting. Attendees have the exclusive opportunity to partake in the exhilarating BMW Ultimate Driving Experience, a bucket list activity offered at only two locations across the U.S. For outdoor enthusiasts, there’s the chance to explore 28 miles of adventure along the Swamp Rabbit Trail, meandering through Greenville County and into the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.”
Greenville’s live music scene is set to evolve with the launch of two new projects. Performing arts venue the Peace Center is currently undergoing a $36 million renovation, slated for completion by late-2024. The expansion will add several new music venues of various sizes and designs, enhancing the city’s cultural landscape. Additionally, Trueline, a new music venue led by Michael Grozier, co-founder of House of Blues, will feature a 1,700-seat main hall plus a 400-seat intimate performance space.
“Planners emphasize the paramount importance of accessibility, cleanliness and safety for their attendees, which aligns perfectly with our core strengths,” says Brashier. “Our destination prides itself on offering these key attributes, making it an ideal choice for events. We boast a diverse array of distinctive venues, ranging from expansive arenas and convention centers to charming open-air and rooftop spaces. Moreover, the authenticity of our local community and the richness of our regional offerings make it effortless for visitors to fully immerse themselves and experience life like a local.”
“One of our largest convention hotels, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, is in the final stages of a $35 million property-wide renovation,” says Karen Morris, CMP, Director of Sales, Walton County Tourism Department. “Set to be complete spring 2024, the refresh will include all 590 guest rooms and suites, meeting space, six dining outlets, three swimming pools, beachfront deck space, full-service Serenity by the Sea Spa and more.”
Recent 2023 openings in South Walton include Camp Creek Inn, a 75-room, 3-story boutique inn located near Watersound Club’s Camp Creek Golf Course. The property offers two dining venues, as well as a golf pro shop, executive boardroom and a meeting room that can accommodate up to 50. Also new is The Lodge 30A, an 85-room boutique hotel located on an 15,000-acre nature preserve and close to the sugar-white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Attendees can choose to spend time exploring nearby beaches, coastal dune lakes and miles of hiking and biking trails.
Top incentive experiences in South Walton include stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking or canoeing on a coastal dune lake. These natural geological features only occur in a few other locations around the world, such as New Zealand, Australia, Madagascar. Adventurous attendees may also dive to the Underwater Museum of Art, North America’s first permanent underwater sculpture park. Located less than a mile from Grayton Beach State Park, the museum can be found at a depth of 58 ft and its sculptures attract a wide variety of marine life.
“The beaches of South Walton consistently make lists of the most beautiful beaches in the U.S. for our stunningly clear, turquoise water and soft, sugar white sand,” says Morris. “There are no large sediment-heavy rivers directly influencing the water in South Walton so the reflection of the sun on the white sandy bottom of the Gulf of Mexico creates the water’s brilliant turquoise hue.”
“New for Knoxville is the opening of our downtown minor league baseball stadium,” says Chad Culver, Sr. Director, Sports Commission and Convention Sales, Visit Knoxville. “We’re excited to have baseball back in downtown in 2025. The stadium will be a multi-use facility with meeting space and a great asset for our community. We have a full-service CVB that can help in all aspects of an event if needed. We’re also very fortunate that all our hotels and local partners see the importance of tourism and always support us to make all of our conventions a huge success.”
Knoxville Urban Wilderness is an outdoor adventure area where groups can hike, bike, climb, paddle or just wander in the woods—all within the heart of the city. Over 60 miles of trails and greenways connect visitors to pristine lakes, historic sites, adventure playgrounds and a 600-acre wildlife area. Groups can learn how to create their own unique glassware by participating in a hands-on workshop at the Pretentious Glass Co., a glassblowing studio dedicated to glassware designed specifically for craft beer, wine, cocktails and whiskey. Afterwards they can sample what’s on offer next door at the Pretentious Beer Co., a craft beer brewery that focuses on experimental and one-of-a-kind brews. Both businesses are located in the heart of downtown Knoxville, are available for private events and connected via a beer garden.
“I feel that attendees are wanting unique experiences,” says Culver. “They want to have great restaurants and bars, outdoor amenities and fun things to do outside of their conference. We are very fortunate in Knoxville to have a very walkable destination that people enjoy spending their evenings exploring our great city.”
“A unique Gatlinburg activity that cannot be found anywhere else is an immersive local arts and crafts scene experience,” says Julie Whitaker, Sales Marketing Support Specialist, Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, which includes more than 100 independent artisans and is the largest arts and crafts community in North America, offers a Create Your Own program. Participating Gatlinburg shops offer hands-on workshops for participants to make their own crafts to take home with them to enjoy long after their Gatlinburg visit experience.”
Another experience for groups is a visit to the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. Established in 1912, Arrowmont is an internationally recognized visual arts education center that offers workshops in arts and crafts such as painting, woodworking, drawing, glass, photography, basket weaving, ceramics, fiber arts, book arts and metalworking. Planners can immerse their attendees in the mountain arts experience by participating in workshops or attending special lectures and events.
The Smoky Mountain School of Cooking teaches the basics of Appalachian cooking through live demonstration classes as well as private hands-on cooking classes. Groups can learn how to cook and prepare an Appalachian-inspired meal in the school’s home-style kitchen, as instructors share culinary techniques and local folklore. After the food is prepared, the group will then sit down and enjoy the meal together.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Convention & Resort Gatlinburg is slated to open in Q1 2024, situated less than half-a-mile from the Gatlinburg Convention Center. The new hotel will offer 164 guest suites, 12,000+ sf of flexible meeting space, a large courtyard for outdoor events, full-service restaurant and ice cream shop, and a resort-style pool with slide and lazy river along with an indoor pool.
“Gatlinburg is a pedestrian-friendly destination where visitors can park their vehicle at their hotel and walk or take the in-town trolley from their accommodations to the convention center and most attractions, restaurants and shops,” says Whitaker. “But what differentiates Gatlinburg from most cities is that Gatlinburg hotels and lodging accommodations do not charge for overnight guest parking. This is a ‘hidden cost’ savings that Gatlinburg offers.”
atldistrict.com/meeting-planners; visitgreenvillesc.com/meetings-events; visitsouthwalton.com/meetings; visitknoxville.com/meetings; gatlinburg.com/meetings-and-conventions