Look closely at Charlotte and you’ll discover a lot. Museums showcasing the world’s wonders, mixed-use developments with something for everyone and inspirational off-site meeting venues are among some of the recent additions sure to enrich the landscape. Meeting attendees will find a lot to their liking, including dining and nightlife for every persuasion and an inviting ambiance all its own … not to mention plenty of southern comforts along the way.

Located in Center City, the tri-level Charlotte Convention Center is a stylish spot to convene with airy, light-filled concourses, 46 meeting rooms and a spacious 35,000 square foot ballroom with seating for 1,800 in banquet rounds. The 280,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space can accommodate up to 1,250 exhibit booths and is divisible into four separate spaces.

As for accommodations, more than 4,100 hotel rooms lie within walking distance of the Charlotte Convention Center. Whether looking for the luxuries of a full-service hotel or resort, the dependable comfort of your favorite hotel chain, or the quaint charm of a bed-and-breakfast or historic inn, you can find it in Charlotte. The 700-room Westin Charlotte and the newly revamped Hilton Charlotte Center City flank each side of the center and brim with meeting potential. Just blocks away, the Generation Y-targeted aloft is tailor-made for the jet-set traveler while the new Ritz-Carlton aims to please with a penthouse spa and the luxury amenities for which it’s become famous. And, historic inns like The Duke Mansion, Vanlandingham Estate, and Morehead Inn are welcome sanctuaries in outlying neighborhoods.

An assortment of museums, historical sites, gardens, and NASCAR-themed destinations are sure to be a breath of fresh air for any convention goer. Coming soon, The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, a new Mint Museum, the Knight Theater, and the Harvey B. Gantt African-American Center for Arts + Culture will offer visitors big possibilities, featuring three rooftop venues available for meetings that look out to the city’s glittering skyline. The highly anticipated NASCAR Hall of Fame will connect to the Charlotte Convention Center via an overstreet walkway, boasting a new 40,000-square-foot Crown Ballroom which will tap the facility’s award-winning catering services

And whether entertaining colleagues, looking for a spot to unwind, or just angling to see what this southern city has to offer, Charlotte’s not short on possibilities. Hot new developments like the mixed-use EpiCentre continue to make waves with nightlife destinations ranging from a dueling piano bar to an upscale bowling lounge—all within the confines of one urban locale. Meanwhile, the NC Music Factory serves as a brand new stroll-district for Charlotte and is luring big city entertainment imports like Butter from NYC and Crobar from Chicago. Two powerhouse music venues, the Uptown Amphitheater accommodating 5,000 and The Fillmore with a 2,000 person capacity, are owned and operated by heavy hitter promoter Live Nation, bringing big names to the stages here.

An appetizing restaurant scene makes for a welcoming ambassador, encouraging attendees to see what gives this city its flavor. Menus are bursting with regional favorites done right like BBQ and fried pickles, upscale elegance from dynamic chefs, and local ingredients that span the Piedmont. Visit a Bon Appetit pick for the best fried chicken around at Price’s Chicken Coop or one of Equire’s best bars in America at Thomas Street Tavern. Newer additions like Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, Mez, and Pie Town are inventive twists on global cuisine.

Just 15 minutes beyond the Charlotte Convention Center lies the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Brimming with inventive meeting potential, the site is home to the largest manmade whitewater river with Class III-IV rapids in addition to climbing, hiking trails, flatwater paddling, geo-caching, and an 1,100 foot zip-line. 2,400 square feet of convertible meeting space and an on-site restaurant round out the facility.

For attendees looking for what’s chic in the Southeast, they need look no further. Over the last ten years, Charlotte’s shopping and beauty scene has exploded, making it a destination for luxury. Sophisticated style resides in the pristine confines of SouthPark Mall and at neighboring alfresco locales like Morrison and Phillip’s Place, which are chock full of inviting specialty stores, outdoor pavilions, and tempting watering holes. For deals as far as the eye can see, Concord Mills offers retail therapy at every price point. Meanwhile, neighborhoods like Dilworth, Plaza-Midwood, and South End have a mixed bag of one-of-a-kind finds along bungalow-filled streets.
And furniture happens to be a regional specialty so don’t miss some of the world’s best craftsmanship just a short drive away
With a community so rich in captivating culture, colorful cityscapes and cosmopolitan character, meeting attendees are sure to be just as charmed too.

Find out more by calling (800) 231-4636 or visiting www.charlottesgotalot.com.