Coastal
WilmingtonAndBeaches.com/Groups-And-Meetings; @WilmingtoNCoast
From its walkable convention district to coastal activities just minutes away, the Wilmington, NC, and Island Beaches region offers planners an array of fresh possibilities.
“Wilmington’s historic charm and rich past blend beautifully with modern design and new attractions,” says Molly Johnson, CMP-Fellow, vice president of sales and services for Wilmington and Beaches CVB. “Attendees and their families will also want to get here early and stay late. It’s that wonderful here.”
The 107,000-square-foot Wilmington Convention Center accommodates 2,500 people theater style or 1,750 people for banquets in its largest space. Approximately 900 guest rooms in the convention center district are within easy walking distance of the venue. The 125-room Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center offers 10,344 square feet of event space and amenities, including rooftop and ground-level bistros. Other hotels in the area include the 272-room Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, with 18,842 square feet of event space, and the 186-room Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront, with 3,862 square feet of event space. For overflow accommodations and additional space, planners might consider Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown/Historic District and Hampton Inn Wilmington Downtown.
The region’s island beaches offer more than 8,000 guest rooms. Hotels include Trailborn Surf & Sound, with 151 renovated rooms and event space for up to 200 people. Trailborn also has a 13-bedroom beach cottage, ideal for leadership teams or project groups. The 184-room Holiday Inn Resort Lumina on Wrightsville Beach has flexible space for 400 guests, and the 144-room Courtyard Marriott Carolina Beach Oceanfront can accommodate up to 300 people theater style. Golden Sands Beach Resort in Carolina Beach completed renovations and a rebrand last year, officially joining the Tapestry Collection by Hilton. Updates were made to the resort’s 116 guest rooms and amenities, including the Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar, while preserving the property’s classic coastal charm. The resort has 1,200 square feet of meeting space.
The Battleship North Carolina in downtown Wilmington can be both a fascinating attraction for history-focused group tours and a dynamic backdrop for specialized events. This summer, the expanded Cape Fear Museum of History and Science will open in downtown Wilmington, featuring a planetarium and more than 400 artifacts.
A multimillion-dollar expansion is underway at Wilmington International Airport (ILM), with Phase 2 parking improvements slated for completion this fall. Broader airport improvements will continue through 2027.
