Drivable meeting destinations are close to home yet far from ordinary
Choosing drivable destinations can be a game-changing strategy for boosting attendance and engagement when planning meetings and events. These easily accessible locations go beyond convenience and cost efficiency, offering opportunities for unique and vibrant experiences to immerse attendees in local culture and charm. With a well-developed infrastructure to support events, drivable destinations balance scenic beauty, diverse activities, and essential amenities. Best of all, they turn the entire experience into an adventure—combining ease of access with memorable attractions, making the journey and destination a win for any gathering.
“Driving can often be more cost-effective than air travel, especially for short to medium distances,” says Kirby Boyd, public relations manager for Memphis Tourism (Tenn.). “Driving also offers greater flexibility in terms of departure times, routes, and stops along the way. Travelers can set their own schedules, which is particularly beneficial for those with specific time constraints or needing to make additional stops.”
Interstate access
Driving becomes an even more appealing option when your destination is conveniently located near major interstates or highways.
“We have seen an upswing in drive-in events and meetings in Tulsa, largely driven by cost efficiency and the convenience of regional travel given Tulsa’s central location in the United States,” shares Jonathan Huskey, director of communications for Tulsa Regional Tourism (Okla.). “This also allows for more flexible schedules, and attendees can sometimes drive in and out on the same day for smaller meetings and conventions.”
Birmingham, Ala., is often known as a prime drive-in destination, thanks to the convergence of three major interstates—20, 59, and 65—all intersecting in the heart of the city. This strategic location provides unmatched accessibility for travelers throughout the Southeast, making it easy for attendees from neighboring states to reach Birmingham. “We see a lot of traffic from Arkansas and Texas up through Kentucky and even into the Carolinas,” says Steve Pierson, director of convention sales for Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). “Six hours is what we believe is around the maximum someone would drive in a day, and with that timeframe in mind, you cover the majority of the Southeast.”
Atlanta is the primary feeder market for Columbus, Ga., notes Peter Bowden, president and CEO for VisitColumbusGA, but the city’s proximity to the highway system—I-185, U.S. Route 80, Georgia State Route 520, and U.S. Route 280, in particular—makes it accessible from various locations. “These highways connect Columbus to regional hubs like Montgomery, Ala., and Macon, Ga.,” Bowden adds.
Compact convenience
Tulsa draws from multiple markets around the Southeast and beyond—from northwest Arkansas to Wichita, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo.—and the draw for many is beyond the accessible location; it is also because of the convenient location of venues, Huskey adds. “One of the great things about Tulsa is that if you drive for 15 minutes in any direction, you are in a completely different neighborhood or district,” he says. “By driving in, it is much easier for attendees to explore everything our city offers in their downtime.”
Walkability is a crucial aspect of compact convenience, making it easy for attendees to explore their surroundings without the hassle of transportation. In South Carolina, Charleston’s historic district is a destination practically designed for pedestrians, meaning attendees can effortlessly access its most sought-after infrastructure. “You can walk just a couple of blocks and find several top-rated properties offering different experiences,” says Chris Campbell, vice president of strategy and external affairs for Explore Charleston.
Unforgettable experiences
One of the greatest advantages of drivable destinations is the plethora of unique experiences waiting just a short drive away. You do not have to venture far to uncover local gems, which not only enhance the overall meeting experience but also allow attendees to immerse themselves in the culture and character of the area. That is one of the many reasons groups find Charleston so desirable, Campbell shares. “They enjoy Charleston because it is not cookie-cutter,” he says. “That goes for many of the amenities you will find here, especially activities attendees can enjoy in their free time.”
From history to cultural arts, Charleston is known as a destination with it all. Many groups often opt for water activities, Campbell adds, which include everything from eco tours to kayaking, paddleboarding, or chartering boats. “The historic district continues to be of interest, which groups can enjoy through walking tours, carriage tours, or even bus tours,” Campbell says. “Visiting local plantations—Magnolia, Middleton Place, Boone Hall, McLeod, and Drayton Hall—are another way to learn the history of Charleston, and they are popular spots many groups choose to put on their agenda.”
Drivable destinations with unique experiences also present fantastic teambuilding opportunities for groups. The ease of access to adventure and culture means planners can organize engaging activities, fostering collaboration and camaraderie without the hassle of complex travel arrangements. That is easy in Columbus, a city home to RushSouth Whitewater Park, the longest urban whitewater course in the world, and Blue Heron Zipline Adventure Park, a dual zipline crossing the Chattahoochee River and connecting Georgia and Alabama, Bowden adds.
Stay in style
There is no need to jet off to a major metro locale to find a wide variety of lodging options. Drivable destinations boast a range of accommodations, from upscale hotels and trendy boutique stays to affordable, family-friendly inns. These locations make it easy to experience all the perks of big-city lodging without the hassle or expense of air travel.
From well-known chains like Hilton Memphis to conveniently located accommodations like Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown to luxury hotels like The Peabody Memphis and The Guest House at Graceland, Memphis offers a diverse range of accommodations catering to the needs of business travelers and event attendees, ensuring comfortable and convenient stays, Boyd says, noting there are 25,000 hotel rooms in metro Memphis. “Our destination boasts an array of hotels and accommodations to suit every budget,” she says. “Many hotels are equipped with meeting facilities and are located near key event venues, providing convenience for both organizers and attendees.”
More than 13,000 guest rooms are in Tulsa, many of which are conveniently located in the city center downtown or in popular suburban areas. Similarly, Birmingham boasts approximately 17,000 guest rooms, including many situated downtown near major meeting venues, like the 429-room Sheraton Birmingham Hotel and 297-room The Westin Birmingham; at historic properties, like Tutwiler Hotel or Elyton Hotel; or in the suburbs, where options include Hyatt Regency Birmingham, which boasts approximately 329 guest rooms, and Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook. “That is just a glimpse into the variety of hotels you will find in Birmingham,” Pierson says. “At many of these, you will also find great meeting space or fun activities, such as cooking classes and wine pairing classes at the Grand Bohemian, which groups often enjoy.”
With approximately 20,000 guest rooms available throughout Charleston County, the options in and around Charleston are as plentiful as they are diverse: from the charm of a historic hotel nestled in downtown Charleston to a luxurious beachfront resort or a more budget-friendly stay. “Our market has become increasingly known for catering to business and meeting groups just like we do to leisure travel,” Campbell says. “We have five beach communities, each offering great accommodations, like Wild Dunes on the Isle of Palms, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, which is approximately 45 minutes outside of the city, to Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, which is just over Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge toward Mount Pleasant and boasts some of the best views of Charleston, to The Charleston Place, which sits in the heart of the historic district and is the largest hotel in the region with 400-plus guest rooms under one roof.”
Distinctive meeting spaces
Many of Charleston’s hotel properties also offer exceptional meeting spaces, making it easy for planners to host everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale conferences, all in one convenient location. “Wild Dunes, The Charleston Place, Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, and Kiawah Island Golf Resort all offer prime meeting space,” Campbell says.
Additionally, Charleston boasts an array of unique meeting venues beyond traditional hotel settings, offering planners extraordinary options to elevate their events. Event venues include North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center and Charleston Area Convention Center, which offers ample flexible space across the campus. Unique spots, like Charles Towne Landing, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, and Charleston Tea Garden, are suited to host meetings, dinners, cocktail receptions, and various events. “The historic district offers venues that have been preserved yet redeveloped into event space, providing unique atmospheres for meetings and events,” Campbell adds.
Birmingham’s wealth of meeting spaces is anchored by Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, which features more than 300,000 square feet of versatile meeting and exhibit space. This includes the expansive 220,000 square feet of exhibit area and 50,000 square feet dedicated to additional meetings, along with venues like an arena seating 3,000 and a theater for 1,000. Just a block away, Boutwell Auditorium provides a unique setting for everything from graduations to sports events. Additionally, Regions Field offers breathtaking views from its meeting space, while the City Club and Topgolf present distinctive options for gatherings, all enhancing Birmingham’s appeal as a prime meeting destination. “The Birmingham Barons (Minor League Baseball Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball’s Chicago White Sox) play at Regions Field, and their event space, with floor-to-ceiling glass and panoramic views of the city, provides built-in entertainment when a game is going on,” Pierson says.
Memphis is home to a host of properties ideally suited for meetings, ranging from the recently renovated Renasant Convention Center to nontraditional spaces like Crosstown Concourse, a mixed-use development within a historic building; Shelby Farms Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, and Graceland’s The Guest House, which blends the rock ‘n’ roll for which the city is known with modern meeting space and amenities. “There is also Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, a uniquely Memphis venue offering meeting spaces with a twist; it features dining and entertainment options, as well as an observation deck with panoramic views of the city and the Mississippi River,” adds Boyd.
Stress-free parking
From ample free parking lots to strategically placed garages, drive-in destinations often simplify the logistics of navigating the city, saving time and effort. Planners and attendees alike can appreciate the accessibility, allowing for smooth arrivals and departures without the worry of expensive or hard-to-find parking. In Tulsa, for example, most hotels provide courtesy parking and city-owned parking decks are free, Bowden says.
Memphis offers several parking garages and lots in its downtown area, making it easy for visitors to find convenient spots near attractions, hotels, and venues. “Major venues, such as Renasant Convention Center and FedExForum, have dedicated parking facilities to accommodate attendees, Boyd says. “Services like Uber and Lyft are also widely available in Memphis, offering flexible and accessible options for short trips or when parking is limited. For shorter distances, visitors can take advantage of bike-share programs and e-scooters distributed
across the city, encouraging environmentally friendly travel.”
Tulsa’s downtown offers more than 1,000 on-street parking spaces and dozens of public parking lots, says Huskey. “Plus, the new pay-to-park mobile app makes it easier to pay for parking on the go without having to run back to the meter when it is about to expire,” he adds. “Plus, just about anywhere you park downtown, you are just a short walk from your destination.”
