The Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina, also referred to as the Grand Strand, is comprised of 60 miles of wide, pristine beaches along the South Carolina shoreline. There, meetings are held against a backdrop of the sparkling Atlantic, in facilities ranging from comfortable and spacious hotel conference rooms to full-size convention centers.
The Myrtle Beach Convention Center, located just minutes from the beach, boasts 250,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a 100,800-square-foot column-free exhibition hall that divides into three sections. It also offers an elegant 17,000-square-foot ballroom that can comfortably seat more than 1,700 people. Additionally, there are 20 functional meeting rooms for breakout sessions that can seat up to 200 people theater-style.
The lush 30,000-square-foot Events Plaza landscape is a unique space, great for receptions and other outdoor activities. Convention center security video monitors and a trained staff keep the facility safe 24 hours a day, and special event security staffing is provided by the convention center’s exclusive agency. Beyond finding a spacious and conveniently located convention facility, today’s planner must ensure prospective facilities meet the needs of modern meeting-goers. The convention center features wireless Internet, cable, telecommunications and water every 30 feet throughout the exhibit halls. Also provided are Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines per request throughout the facility. The Myrtle Beach Convention Center is the official Southeast site for videoconferencing needs, both nationally and internationally. South Carolina is a right-to-work state, which eliminates the need for unnecessary rules and expenses.
The convention center offers a superior food experience for meeting and group attendees. With an 8,000-square-foot banquet kitchen, gourmet meals are made easy for as many as 5,000. The Sheraton chefs provide all the food and beverage services at the convention center. You won’t be disappointed with their spectacular catered presentations, ranging from eye-opening breakfasts to seven-course dinners.
Why settle for polluting the earth? Studies show the amount of waste produced per person each meeting day is 20 pounds. The convention center offers meeting planners options for erasing their carbon footprints. Each meeting room has occupancy sensors to conserve energy. To further promote recycling, they encourage exhibitors not to co-mingle trash; offer labeled recycling bins for items such as glass, paper and cans; and suggest saving packing cartons to be reused for repacking supplies. The convention center also takes pride in providing socially responsible catering by offering fresh, local and organic food, and arranging with local food banks to collect packaged leftovers. Using cloth napkins and real tableware reduces the amount of disposable resources.
The convention center team and the city of Myrtle Beach set goals to be first in service. They invest in training for all associates in order to meet their goals and provide outstanding customer service to planners and their guests.
The Myrtle Beach Convention Center is just minutes away from everything your attendees desire when taking a break from meetings and most is within walking distance, including spectacular shopping, live entertainment, championship golf courses and the area’s most savory Coastal Carolina cuisine. There are plenty of ways to play here, making the Myrtle Beach area an ideal destination for all types of group travel. The area’s mild climate makes a trip to the beach enjoyable throughout the year and there’s more to do beyond the beach. More than 100 golf courses, many designed by world-class architects, offer an enjoyable day on the links.
For groups’ thrill seekers, water parks, theme parks and racecar attractions will keep their adrenaline pumping. Or, spend the day shopping—the area is home to outdoor complexes, brand-name outlets, specialty shops and malls. Unlike many group-travel destinations where businesses close up shop when the sun goes down, the Myrtle Beach area comes alive at night. A memorable dining experience is yours for the taking, ranging from fine cuisine with Lowcountry flair to themed dinner show attractions.
With more than 1,700 restaurants in the area, you’ll find something to please everyone. After dinner, explore the vibrant nightlife scene, including numerous live theaters, variety shows and nightclubs.
It’s easy to get there, too—an international airport offers non-stop service to major east coast hubs, and a system of interstates and highways run through the Grand Strand. Easy accessibility to the Myrtle Beach area ensures your guests arrive ready to enjoy all this great destination has to offer.
South Carolina’s Grand Strand is blessed with moderate temperatures annually. The Myrtle Beach area enjoys a mild average temperature of 74 degrees, with an average of 215 sunny days each year. Any time of year—spring, summer, fall or winter—is the perfect time for a group gathering on the Grand Strand.
For further information on the center, visit myrtlebeachconventioncenter.com.
