From bustling cities to charming coastal retreats, the South offers an abundance of possibilities for meeting planners. The region is home to world-class resorts, hotels, and convention centers, all of which are supported by passionate convention and visitors bureaus and destination marketing organizations that take pride in showcasing their city’s unique appeal, attractions, and offerings for meetings and events.
Every year, ConventionSouth honors standout places shaping the meetings and events landscape across 16 Southern states and Washington, D.C. Through our annual Readers’ Choice Awards, we invite our audience to shine a spotlight on their favorite sites and destinations. This year’s honorees include a dynamic mix of fresh places and beloved repeat winners that continue to set the standard for Southern hospitality.
Based on more than 7,000 votes, your favorites are represented by 507 Southern meeting sites and destinations. These winners showcase the finest in Southern hospitality, with remarkable accommodations, amenities, services, and venues for meetings and events. Leading the list of winners are our Best of the Best winners—the ones receiving the most votes in each category. .
Thank you to all our readers who took the time to vote, and congratulations to ConventionSouth’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Award winners!
Best of the Best WINNERS
BEST CVB
Visit Sugar Land
Located just 22 miles southwest of downtown Houston, Sugar Land is a vibrant destination celebrated for its diversity, culture, and charm. As the largest city in Fort Bend County, it is
also known as Texas’ most diverse county. Smart Financial Centre offers flexible seating for live performances and event space for up to 500 people in the main lobby or up to 100 in the Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land Lounge. Visitors can enjoy family fun at Constellation Field, explore the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land, or dine at one of approximately 200 restaurants showcasing global flavors. With 1,500 hotel rooms throughout the city, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and year-round festivals, Sugar Land offers an unforgettable mix of hospitality, sophistication, and Texas spirit.
BEST CONVENTION OR CONFERENCE CENTER
Tampa Convention Center
Set along the sparkling waterfront in the heart of downtown Tampa, Fla., the Tampa Convention Center offers 600,000 square feet of flexible event space. This award-winning venue features 200,000 square feet of exhibit hall space, 36,000 square feet of ballroom space, and 52 breakout rooms. It combines exceptional service with modern amenities, including an award-winning, in-house F&B provider. Attendees can enjoy sweeping views from waterfront meeting rooms unveiled in 2023, scenic outdoor event spaces, such as the Tampa Riverwalk, and The Sail Plaza—Tampa’s only 360-degree waterfront bar and outdoor eatery. Just steps from the city’s best hotels, restaurants, and attractions, Tampa Convention Center offers a one-of-a-kind waterfront atmosphere for extraordinary events.
BEST HOTEL
The Keeter Center College of the Ozarks
Nestled at the entrance of College of the Ozarks in Branson, Mo., The Keeter Center stands as Branson’s premier destination for hospitality, dining, and memorable experiences. Set against the backdrop of the Ozark Mountain Region, the lodge spans 95,000 square feet and state-of-the-art conference rooms and elegant banquet halls for up to 300 guests. Mabee Lodge, which is widely regarded as Branson’s finest accommodation, offers 15 beautifully appointed suites featuring The Keeter Center’s renowned evening turn-down service, complete with fresh-baked cookies and milk from the college’s dairy, and in-room continental breakfast each morning. Guests can savor American fine dining at Dobyns Dining Room, accompanied by world-class service from College of the Ozarks students. The Keeter Center delivers natural beauty, exceptional service, and Ozarks charm, just minutes from downtown Branson Landing.
BEST RESORT
The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel
The Lodge at Gulf State Park is a full-service resort and environmentally friendly coastal development that prioritizes sustainability and connectivity to the outdoors. The 350-room property features 24 meeting rooms and approximately 40,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space, including a Gulf-facing ballroom with floor-to-ceiling views. Gulf State Park—spanning 6,150 acres across nine distinct ecosystems—allows guests to reunite with nature on the Gulf’s sugar-white sand beaches, 800 acres of freshwater fishing lakes, and walking, hiking, and biking trails. The Lodge at Gulf State Park also offers a variety of teambuilding, volunteer, and corporate social responsibility opportunities for events.
BEST UNIQUE VENUE
Science Museum Oklahoma
Science Museum Oklahoma is the state’s only hands-on science museum and one of the largest in the nation—featuring more than 390,000 square feet. Dedicated to sparking curiosity and expanding knowledge, the museum makes science exciting, relevant, and accessible through interactive exhibits, discovery-based activities, live demonstrations, educational outreach, special events, and epic shows in the new Love’s Planetarium. By fostering a love of learning and exploration, Science Museum Oklahoma inspires visitors of all ages to see the wonder of science in everyday life. For private events, guests can explore exhibits after hours, enjoy exclusive science or planetarium shows, and toast the night with custom bars and exceptional catering.
State-by-State 2024 Readers’ Choice Award Winners
ALABAMA
106 Jefferson Huntsville, Curio Collection by Hilton
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National
Auburn/Opelika Tourism Bureau
Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex
Bryant Conference Center
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Huntsville South
Embassy Suites by Hilton Montgomery Hotel & Conference Center
Embassy Suites by Hilton Tuscaloosa Alabama Downtown
Experience Montgomery
Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center
Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Hyatt Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel
Jubilee Suites on Mobile Bay
Montgomery Whitewater
Perdido Beach Resort
Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa
Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel
Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center
Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa
Sheraton Birmingham Hotel
The Graduate Hotel Auburn
The Laurel Hotel & Spa
The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Visit Cullman
Visit The Shoals
Von Braun Center
ARKANSAS
Arkansas Dept. of Parks & Tourism
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Crystal Bridges Museum of
American Art
Embassy Suites by Hilton Jonesboro Red Wolf Convention Center
Embassy Suites Northwest Arkansas – Hotel, Spa & Convention Center
Experience Fayetteville
Graduate by Hilton Fayetteville
Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau
Little Rock Marriott
North Little Rock CVB
Oaklawn Racing Resort & Casino
The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa
The Reserve at Hot Springs
Visit Bentonville
Visit Conway
Visit Hot Springs
Wyndham Fort Smith City Center
FLORIDA
Amelia Island CVB
Beal House Fort Walton Beachfront, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables
Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton
Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center
Disney Meetings & Events
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort
Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa
Embassy Suites by Hilton Panama City Beach Resort
Embassy Suites Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort
Fontainebleau Miami Beach
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Hammock Beach Resort
Hawks Cay Resort
Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista – Disney Springs Area
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
Hyatt Centric Las Olas
Hyatt Place Panama City Beach
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort
Hyatt Regency Orlando
JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
Margaritaville Beach Resort Key West
Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort
Miami Beach Convention Center
Mission Resort & Club
Ocean Center Convention Complex
Omni Amelia Island Resort
Opal Sands
Opal Sol
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando World Center Marriott
Palm Beach Marriott at Singer Island
Panama City Beach Event Center
at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort
Pelican Grand Beach Resort
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show Panama City Beach
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach VCB
Rosen Centre Orlando
Rosen Plaza Orlando
Rosen Shingle Creek Resort Orlando
Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Panama City Beach
St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches VCB
Tampa Airport Marriott
Tampa Convention Center
Tampa Marriott Water Street
The Don CeSar
The Palm Beaches
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
The Westin Sarasota
Visit Central Florida
Visit Florida Keys & Key West
Visit Jacksonville
Visit Orlando
Visit Panama City Beach
Visit Sarasota County
Visit South Walton
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
Visit Tampa Bay
Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort
World Equestrian Center
Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek
GEORGIA
AC Hotel Columbus Downtown, GA
ATL Airport District CVB
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau
Barnsley Resort
Callaway Resort & Gardens
City Mills Hotel
Cloudland at McLemore Resort Lookout Mountain, Curio by Hilton
Cobb Travel & Tourism
Columbus GA Convention & Trade Center
East Point CVB
Epicurean Atlanta, Autograph Collection
Fox Theatre
Hotel Bardo Savannah
Hyatt Regency Savannah
Jekyll Island Club
Jekyll Island Convention Center
JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District
Konica Minolto Conference Center at Truist Park
Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau
Lanier Islands Resort
Marriott Savannah Riverfront
National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center
Savannah Convention Center
The Alida, Savannah, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
The Classic Center
The DeSoto Savannah
The Kimpton Brice Hotel
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
Think Tifton
Thompson Savannah
Trilith Live
Visit Athens
Visit Columbus GA
Visit Macon
Visit Savannah
KENTUCKY
21c Museum Hotel Lexington
Churchill Downs Racetrack
Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter
Embassy Suites by Hilton Lexington Green
Embassy Suites by Hilton Lexington/UK Coldstream
Kentucky Tourism
Louisville Tourism
Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa
meetNKY | Northern Kentucky CVB
Newport Aquarium
Omni Louisville Hotel
Owensboro Convention Center
Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Brown Hotel
The Galt House Hotel
The Kentucky Castle
The Manchester
The Seelbach Hilton Louisville
Visit Owensboro
VisitLEX
LOUISIANA
Baton Rouge Marriott
Cypress Bend Resort
Discover Monroe – West Monroe
Experience Ruston
Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino
Hyatt Regency New Orleans
InterContinental New Orleans
Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission
L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge
L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles
Le Pavillon
Loews New Orleans
Louisiana’s River Parishes Tourist Commission
New Orleans & Company
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans Marriott
Omni Royal Orleans
Origin Hotel Baton Rouge
Royal Sonesta New Orleans
Southern Hotel
The Castine Center
The Cook Hotel and Conference Center at LSU
The Eliza James Hotel, Unbound Collection by Hyatt
The Harbor Center
The Higgins Hotel New Orleans, Curio Collection by Hilton
The National World War II Museum
The Roosevelt, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
The Windsor Court
Visit Baton Rouge
Visit Jefferson Parish
Visit Kenner
Visit Shreveport-Bossier
Visit The Northshore
Watermark Baton Rouge, Autograph Collection
MARYLAND
Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, Autograph Collection
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Columbia
DoubleTree by Hilton Ocean City
Experience Prince George’s
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites
Holiday Inn Oceanfront
Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor
Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina
Merriweather Lakehouse, Autograph Collection
MGM National Harbor
National Aquarium
Ocean City Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Grand Hotel
The Westin Annapolis
Turf Valley Resort
Visit Baltimore
Visit Howard County
Visit Montgomery
MISSISSIPPI
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
Centennial Plaza Resort
Coastal Mississippi
Cotton House Cleveland, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Starkville MSU at The Mill Conference Center
Gold Strike Casino Resort
Golden Nugget Biloxi Hotel & Casino
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi
Harrah’s Gulf Coast
Horseshoe Tunica
IP Casino Resort & Spa
Margaritaville Resort Biloxi
Mississippi Aquarium
Natchez Grand Hotel
Oxford Conference Center
Palace Casino Resort
Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau
Visit Hattiesburg
Visit Jackson
Visit Oxford
Visit Tupelo
MISSOURI
21c Museum Hotel St. Louis
AC Hotel Kansas City Downtown
Big Cedar Lodge
Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB
Camden on the Lake Resort
Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa & Convention Center
Explore St. Louis
Finley Farms
Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis
Hilton Branson Convention Center
Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
Hotel Phillips Kansas City, Curio Collection by Hilton
Hyatt Regency St Louis at The Arch
InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza
Live! By Loews St. Louis
Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake of the Ozarks
St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
The Keeter Center College of the Ozarks
The Lodge of Four Seasons
Visit Kansas City
Visit Springfield MO
NORTH CAROLINA
Asheville Art Museum
Biltmore Estate
Charlotte Convention Center
Distinctly Fayetteville
Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown
Explore Asheville
Explore Nash County
Goldsboro Travel & Tourism
Grand Bohemian Asheville, Autograph Collection
Grandfather Mountain
Grandover Resort & Spa
Greensboro Area CVB
Greensboro-High Point Marriott Airport
Greenville Convention Center
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
Havelock Tourist and Event Center
Hickory Metro Convention Center & Visitors Bureau
Hilton Greenville
JW Marriott Charlotte
Meadowbrook Inn
NASCAR Hall of Fame
O. Henry Hotel
Omni Charlotte Hotel
Omni Grove Park Inn
Proximity Hotel
Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel
Rocky Mount Event Center
Rocky Mount Mills
Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons
The Maxwell Center
The Umstead Hotel and Spa
Visit Charlotte
Visit Greenville NC
OKLAHOMA
Colcord Hotel Oklahoma City, Curio Collection by Hilton
Embassy Suites by Hilton Norman Hotel & Conference Center
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa
Hyatt Regency Tulsa Downtown
Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark
Oklahoma City Convention Center
Omni Oklahoma City Hotel
Science Museum Oklahoma
Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown
The National, Autograph Collection
The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City
Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium
Visit Oklahoma City
Visit Tulsa
SOUTH CAROLINA
AC Hotel by Marriott Greenville
AC Hotel by Marriott Spartanburg
Beach House Hilton Head Island
BMW Performance Center
Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Harbor Mt. Pleasant
Embassy Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort
Emeline
Experience Columbia SC
Francis Marion Hotel
Grand Bohemian Charleston, Autograph Collection
Greenville Convention Center
Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau
Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort at Grand Dunes
The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection
The Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton
The Ryder Hotel
Visit Beaufort
Visit Myrtle Beach
Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa
Westin Poinsett Greenville
Wild Dunes Resort
TENNESSEE
Big Cypress Lodge
Carnegie Hotel
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort
Fairlane Hotel Nashville, by Oliver
Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau
Gatlinburg Convention Center
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center Nashville
Graduate by Hilton Nashville
Grand Hyatt Nashville
Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg
Hilton Garden Inn Pigeon Forge
Holston House Nashville, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis
Kimpton Aertson Hotel
Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza
Margaritaville Gatlinburg Resort
Margaritaville Island Hotel Pigeon Forge
MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center
Memphis Renasant Convention Center
Memphis Tourism
Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation
Noelle Nashville
Omni Nashville Hotel
Renaissance Nashville Hotel
Rutherford County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Sheraton Nashville Downtown
Smoky Mountains
Tennessee Aquarium
The Harpeth Franklin Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton
The Hermitage Hotel
The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nashville
Thompson Nashville
Union Station Nashville Yards, Autograph Collection
TEXAS
Abilene Convention Center
Amarillo Convention & Visitors Bureau
Austin Convention Center
Cooper Hotel & Conference Center
Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Dallas Museum of Art
Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott & Golf Club at Champions Circle
DoubleTree by Hilton Abilene Downtown Convention Center
El Paso Convention Center
Four Seasons Hotel Houston
Fredericksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau
Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
George R. Brown Convention Center
Grand Galvez Resort, Autograph Collection
Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk
Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce
HALL Arts Hotel Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton
Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center
Hilton Fort Worth
Hilton Hotel & Conference Center at College Station
Hotel Paso Del Norte, Autograph Collection
Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District
Hyatt Regency Frisco – Dallas
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa
Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk
JW Marriott Austin
JW Marriott Houston Downtown
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Round Rock
Kimpton Santo Hotel San Antonio
La Cantera Resort & Spa
Live! By Loews Arlington
Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe
Marriott Marquis Houston
Mokara Hotel & Spa
Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa & Convention Center
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
Omni Corpus Christi Hotel
Omni Fort Worth Hotel
Omni Frisco at the Star
Omni La Mansion del Rio
Omni PGA Frisco Resort
San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk
South Padre Island Convention Center
South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
Space Center Houston
Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center
The Adolphus, Autograph Collection
The Otis Austin, Autograph Collection
The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center
The Woodlands Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton
Thompson Austin
tommie Austin
Visit Austin
Visit Corpus Christi
Visit Dallas
Visit El Paso
Visit Fort Worth
Visit Frisco
Visit Galveston
Visit Grapevine
Visit Houston
Visit Lubbock
Visit Plano
Visit San Antonio
Visit Sugar Land
Visit The Woodlands
Visit Waco
VIRGINIA
Archer Hotel Old Town Alexandria
Archer Hotel Tysons
Boar’s Head Resort
Colonial Williamsburg Resorts
Embassy Suites by Hilton Springfield
Great Wolf Lodge Water Park | Williamsburg
Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa/Short Pump
Hyatt Regency Dulles
Hyatt Regency Reston
Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center
Kingsmill Resort
Omni Richmond Hotel
Primland Resort
Quirk Hotel Richmond
Richmond Region Tourism
Salamander Resort & Spa
The Berry Hill Resort & Conference Center
The Founders Inn & Spa, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Curio Collection by Hilton
The Jefferson Hotel
The Omni Homestead Resort
The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner
The Westin Washington Dulles Airport
Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
Visit Charlottesville
Visit Fairfax
Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge
Visit Williamsburg
VisitNorfolk
WEST VIRGINIA
Bavarian Inn Resort & Brewing Company
Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau
Charleston Marriott Town Center
Hotel Morgan
Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place
Oglebay Park Resort & Conference Center
Snowshoe Mountain Resort
South Branch Inn Moorefield
Stonewall Resort
Tamarack
The Blennerhassett Hotel
The Greenbrier, America’s Resort
WASHINGTON DC
Destination DC
Grand Hyatt Washington
Hotel Washington
InterContinental Washington DC – The Wharf
JW Marriott Washington DC
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC
Marriott Marquis Washington DC
Omni Shoreham Hotel
The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection
