With a range of different-sized destinations, natural amenities, and thriving communities, the South is replete with opportunities for meeting planners eager to create exclusive experiences for attendees. Here, we showcase some of the hottest venues to help transform gatherings into unforgettable shared moments. These destinations inspire creativity, problem-solving, and teambuilding, making them the highlight of the short business trip and a catalyst for organizations to maximize their potential.
Planners can recreate Mardi Gras magic in the city where it all began.
Standout sites
Hyperbole aside, the South really does offer some one-of-a-kind settings for meetings.
Given the crowds and increased prices associated with Mardi Gras, meetings are wise to steer clear of the festivities. Planners can recreate Mardi Gras magic in the city where it all began: Mobile, Ala. The Mobile Carnival Museum celebrates the fun year-round and is available for private groups. A new facelift of the interior is part of a three-pronged renovation slated to be completed this year. Rhonda B. Smith, GME, program coordinator at the University of South Alabama, is a regular with her groups. “The venue offers a perfect blend of functionality and local appeal. Our guests always comment on how beautiful the space is, and it’s easy to see why we return year after year,” Smith says.
Darla Gray, director of administration and communications at the National Institute for Jail Operations, was blown away by her experience hosting an appreciation event at the Mobile Carnival Museum during the JAILCON24 Southern Regional Conference, held in August 2024 at Mobile Renaissance Riverview Hotel and Mobile Convention Center. “From the moment we walked in, the vibrant colors, rich history, and unique charm of the museum set the tone for an unforgettable evening,” Gray says. “We enjoyed it so much that we will host the 2025 event at the Mobile Carnival Museum during the JAILCON25 Southern Regional Conference, October 13-15, again at Mobile Renaissance Riverview Hotel and Mobile Convention Center!”
Read the article in its entirety at ConventionSouth.com.
