An at-a-glance guide to leading meeting&convention destinations CityFile
MYRTLE BEACH P
Drive Big Numbers
LENTY OF SQUARE feet, sunshine, and Southern hospitality are
just a few of the reasons why the Myrtle Beach Convention Center provides all the elements needed for successful meetings and events. As one ofthe largest convention centers on the East Coast, the Myrtle Beach Con- vention Center can accommo- date more than 80 percent ofall conventions and trade shows in its 250,000 square feet of flexi- ble meeting space. And the location is tops: Attendees are just a quick two-block walk from Myrtle Beach’s famous shore- line and boardwalk, and a short distance from championship golf courses and fabulous culinary experiences. There’s never a bad time ofyear to meet in Myrtle Beach.
With a balmy average temperature of74 degrees, the destina- tion gives attendees a chance to regroup and recharge with more than 60 miles ofpristine beaches andmany new enter- tainment options, including the 196-foot-high Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, Dolly Parton’s Pirates Voyage dinner theater, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, andWonderWorks—an edu- cational amusement park with more than 100 hands-on exhibits. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage ofMyrtle Beach’s ideal climate by spending a day at one of100-plus
At a Glance
CONVENTION FACILITIES Myrtle Beach Convention Center Total event space: 250,000 square feet Total exhibit space: 100,800 column-free square feet (divisible into three halls) Ballroom: 16,890 square feet Maximum number of breakout rooms: 22 Arena capacity: 10,000 people On-site parking spaces: 1,750
UNCONVENTIONAL CENTER: The Myrtle Beach Convention Center, directly connected to the 402-room Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel, is just two blocks from the ocean and four blocks from Broadway at the Beach, the area’s largest dining, shopping, and entertainment complex.
golf courses in the area, four ofwhich were named to Golf Digest’s “Top 100 Public Courses in America” list in 2009. Other outdoor options include Brookgreen Gardens, where local flora and fauna intermingle with sculptures, and Myrtle Beach State Park, where the beach and fishing pier fade into a lush oceanfront forest. The Myrtle Beach Convention Center is working to pre-
serve this natural beauty by implementing eco-friendly initia- tives whenever possible. The center has installed occupancy motion sensors to turn lights off after 30minutes of no move- ment, as well as ec-H2O technology, which converts water into an environmentally friendly cleaning solution. Planners looking for a convenient outdoor venue can reserve the 30,000-square-foot events plaza on site at the center.
HOTELS On-site property: Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center (402 rooms)
ATTRACTIONS 1.2-mile oceanfront boardwalk Broadway at the Beach More than 100 golf courses, including four named in Golf Digest’s annual “Top 100 Public Courses in America” list
MyrtleWaves Dolly Parton’s Pirates Voyage Fun, Feast, and Adventure
Tanger Outlets Coastal Grand Mall Brookgreen Gardens Myrtle Beach State Park
TRANSPORTATION Easily accessible via air or car, Myrtle Beach offers the Myrtle Beach International Airport and is just 70 miles from I-95.
FOR MORE INFORMATION Myrtle Beach Convention Center; Brian Monroe, Director of Sales and Marketing; (800) 537-1690; fax: (843) 918-1243; brian.monroe@mb-cc.com; www.myrtlebeachconvention center.com