Corporate Travel Destinations

Hosting meetings in the South has increased in popularity in recent years, particularly with numerous large companies, such as Boeing and several auto manufacturers, increasing their presence in southern states. States like South Carolina are working hard to provide exceptional deals and incentives to encourage meeting and incentive travel planners to consider their states as viable destinations, which increases the appeal of these already affordable options further.

Columbia, South Carolina is one city that is poised for growth as a strong competitor vying for the business of meeting planners across the country. New hotels are springing up throughout the city, which is expected to result in a total of 13,000 guest rooms by the end of 2010. With its central location within the state, a major university and its well-known affordability, Columbia, South Carolina is one destination option that should not be overlooked. Regional and national conferences are taking place in Columbia at a steadily growing rate, as are regional and national meetings hosted by major corporations located in the South, as well as those headquartered elsewhere.

If you choose Columbia, South Carolina as a destination for your meeting or incentive travel planning, those in attendance will have a plethora of attractions and amenities at their fingertips, including the Robert Mills Historic House and Park, South Carolina State Museum, Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, and the Columbia Museum of Art.

The beauty of the Smokey Mountains is just one of the attractions of the Knoxville area. The convention center has 500,000 square feet of space to utilize for meetings, trade shows, or other industry needs.

The Holiday Inn Select is just 25 paces from the Knoxville Convention Center. That certainly makes it a challenge for any visitor to get lost on the way back to the hotel. The hotel is also within walking distance of several local attractions such as Market Square, the University of Tennessee, and the Knoxville Museum of Art.

A mild climate is another attractive feature of the Knoxville area. It is easy to plan team building events here that might be impossible to conceive in a harsher climate. Sports minded convention attendees can take a break and visit the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame or attend a sporting event at the University of Tennessee.

A riverboat cruise could be exactly what your clients need to decompress after a long day of meetings. Would you consider offering a trip to the Knoxville Zoo or a round of golf at one of the cities 13 golf courses as part of your incentive package? There is a lot happening in Knoxville, don’t miss out.