With favorable year-round weather and a huge dose of hospitality, the country’s Southeastern states greet visitors with a sweet embrace. Here, you can stroll through 100-year-old oak groves, or take a boat ride in swampland, on a lake, in the Gulf of Mexico or on the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you are looking for an action-packed destination like Kissimmee, Fla., or a city filled with history like Charlotte, N.C., you can find it when you head south.

Atlanta, Georgia

Known as the capital of the South, Atlanta, already home to 5 million residents, continues to grow. Likewise, when it comes to attractions, there’s always something new in town. Of course, there’s the famous Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola, but there’s more on the way. The aquarium opened a $110 million dolphin exhibit in April; Legoland Discovery Center opens in 2012; and the College Football Hall of Fame relocates to Atlanta in 2013.

“If you haven’t been to Atlanta and its surrounding areas in the past five years, you haven’t seen Atlanta,” says Rachel Rosenberg, public relations manager for the Atlanta CVB. Another big advantage for the city: It’s easy to get to. “The city is the hub of the Southeast with three major interstates running through downtown,” Rosenberg says. “It is a four-hour drive for most visitors in the Southeast, and 80 percent of the U.S. population is within a two-hour flight of Atlanta.” Those passengers fly into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the world, which has two convenient train lines running to the downtown, Midtown and Buckhead business and meeting districts.

Downtown has its own collection of meeting hotels near the Georgia World Congress Center and AmericasMart, two of the city’s large conference facilities. (Atlanta has four facilities with more than 140,000 square feet of exhibit space, the Congress Center topping all of them with 1.4 million.) All the major hotel chains are represented downtown: Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton and Westin.

In fact, once attendees arrive, they’ll have a wide variety of accommodation options to fit any budget with more than 94,000 hotel rooms located in the metro-Atlanta area. Six new boutique hotels have opened since 2008, providing more choices for travelers looking for a place to stay. With so many hotels within walking distance, planners can also cut down on transportation costs, making Atlanta an even better value.

The convention center is accessible by foot from 12,000 of the city’s hotel rooms. Add to that the number of attractions in Centennial Olympic Park and convention attendees will never need to leave downtown, unless they want to explore some of the city’s distinct areas just outside of the city, including Sandy Springs, Alpharetta Dunwoody and Duluth.

Sandy Springs, Georgia’s sixth largest city, has more than 20 miles of shoreline along the Chattahoochee River, 11 parks, a dynamic economy and a strong sense of community. Alpharetta, about 20 miles from Atlanta, is gaining in popularity, too. The charming city has 150 dining options, upscale boutique hotels and is quickly becoming known as a meetings destination.

Duluth, another popular suburb, is where the Catalyst conference has been held since 2003. Each October it gathers more than 13,000 Christian leaders age 40 and younger in Duluth. The massive gathering is held at the Arena at Gwinnett Center, which “has been a fantastic home base for Catalyst through the years,” says Ansley Lawhead, public relations representative for Catalyst. “This venue allows for growth and creativity. We highly recommend its utilization to other event planners.”

The Dunwoody CVB, the newest bureau in the metro area, has plenty to brag about. The city, which incorporated in 2008, is home to the second largest mall in the Southeast, excellent restaurants and five hotels that host meetings for groups from 15 to 1,500.

Augusta, Georgia

Augusta, Ga., is known worldwide for one thing: golf. Each spring thousands flock to the Southern riverfront city for the storied Masters golf tournament. However, the city has more to offer than gorgeous azaleas and men in green sports coats.

History, scenic gardens and Southern hospitality draw a wide variety of meetings and conventions to the Georgia-South Carolina border on the Savannah River. Faith-based meetings like the annual leadership and ministry congress of Georgia’s African Methodist Episcopal Church easily find common ground in Augusta’s roots.  It’s the founding location for the Southern Baptist Convention and Morehouse College and home to the oldest independently formed African-American congregation still meeting on its original site and the third oldest Episcopal church in Georgia. But today, it’s what’s new in August that’s bringing more meetings to town.

The aptly named TEE (Trade, Exhibit and Event) Center is under construction and set to open spring 2012. Its 38,000 square feet of exhibit space and 29,000 square feet of pre-function space will connect to 49,000 square feet of existing space in the Augusta Convention Center. Also attached is the 372-room Augusta Marriott Hotel and Suites, the largest meeting hotel in the city with 49,000 square feet of meeting space.

An up-and-coming downtown with trendy restaurants and galleries hosts a lively, family-friendly evening of local arts and music the first Friday of the summer months, and a riverfront amphitheater is a popular site for concerts and special events. The Morris Museum of Art and the downtown Imperial Theater are also important to the local arts community and provide alternative settings for off-site events.

Groups looking for an inspirational setting can take advantage of the Sacred Heart Cultural Center, a former Catholic church with all the grandeur expected from its previous tenant. The restored 1898 Romanesque Revival church on the National Register of Historic Places hosts cultural events and performances, and its 7,000-sq.-ft. Great Hall can be situated theater- or banquet-style for a variety of events.

Southern tradition pulses through the town from the mansions on The Hill to a hard-to-resist dining experience at Sconyers Barbecue. The hickory, pit-cooked barbecue that’s good enough for the White House lawn caters events, but the large log-cabin style restaurant can accommodate large groups, too.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotteans say you only need to visit the Queen City once. Why? Because, as the story goes, you’ll end up moving there after. It’s that charming. Thriving intersections are blocks away from green spaces. Skyscrapers tower above tranquil neighborhoods. Guests and locals eat at the same restaurants and walk the same streets in a city that blends a fast-paced business atmosphere with Southern charm.

Charlotte’s full of special venues that appeal to meeting planners like Wonderland Dawson, director of meetings and events for 3D Hospitality, an event management company that coordinated University Park Church’s Entrepreneurs Ministry’s Network mixer a few years ago and is now organizing the True Women event meeting in Charlotte in November.

Dawson says she likes the Carole A. Hoefener Community Services Center for it’s central location in Uptown Charlotte, free on-site parking, flexible rates for faith-based organizations and great amenities (including a full kitchen, audiovisual equipment, break-out classrooms and on-site management).

“For smaller events, I like The Van Landingham Estate Inn and Conference Center, The Morehead Inn, The Great Aunt Stella Center, The Palmer Building and The Wadsworth Estate,” Dawson says. “For larger events, I like The Zion Renaissance Complex and The Park Expo and Conference Center.”

They are hidden gems within the Queen City, she says, well-suited for retreats, bible studies, ministry teambuilding, creative-thinking activities, leadership training seminars, luncheons and socials. And attendees have easy access to entertainment hotspots like The Levine Center for the Arts, the James L. Knight Theater and the Mint Museum.

Ronda Caldwell, president of The Main Event Inc., a company that plans corporate, social and faith-based events, schedules conferences in Charlotte because the thriving uptown area gives guests access to entertainment, food and fun all within walking distance of one another—no car needed.

Not to mention, the Charlotte Convention Center has 46 meeting rooms and a spacious 35,000-sq.-ft. ballroom that seats 1,800. The 280,000 square feet of exhibit space can accommodate up to 1,250 exhibit booths. In addition, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which opened more than a year ago, boasts a 40,000-sq.-ft. ballroom and connects to the convention center via an above-the-street walkway.

As for accommodations, the 700-room Westin Charlotte and the recently revamped Hilton Charlotte Center City flank each side of the convention center. A few blocks away, the Hampton Inn and the Hilton Garden Inn can accommodate overflow guests.

Fort Lauderdale

This year, Fort Lauderdale turns 100, and the coastal community is starting to show its age—in a good way. The city, which became known as a spring break hotspot thanks to the 1960 movie “Where the Boys Are,” is growing up and, turning into a respected beach destination with large-scale resorts and award-winning restaurants. The city hasn’t completely turned its back on bikini-clad spring breakers, but it has given faith-based meeting planners more than one reason to look twice.

In June, Fort Lauderdale hosted the 105th annual National Baptist Congress, bringing between 8,000 and 10,000 people to the city from all over the country, including a number of young Baptists who take part in the event’s Youth Congress, aimed at people ages 4 to 24. “One of the highlights of the congress is the drill teams,” Rev. Anthony Burrell, pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Pompano Beach and host pastor, told the Sun Sentinel. “They perform synchronized routines. It’s just a great activity to see young people who are leading positive and productive lives.”

The almost weeklong event featured ministry sessions, performances by gospel artists such as Dorothy Norwood and Beverly Crawford, and keynote speeches, including one by Rev. Jeremiah Wright, President Obama’s pastor from Trinity Church of Christ in Chicago. The National Baptist Congress last came to Florida more than
10 years ago. “For a lot of people this is a family tradition; this is the kind of thing you plan your family vacation around,” Burrell said. “Some of the people on stage today have mentioned they had been coming to this since they were children.”

Most of the Congress’ events took place at the Broward County Convention Center, a 600,000-sq.-ft. facility situated between the hotels located on Fort Lauderdale Beach and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The three-story center has a large wall of glass that runs along the eastern side of the building overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. The building has four exhibit halls, two ballrooms and 31 meeting rooms.

The CVB established the Lauderdale Convention Collection, a set of six hotels located within a mile and a half of the convention center. The hotels are Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Port Everglades, Sheraton Fort Lauderdale, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Harbor Beach Marriott Resort and Spa, and Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale. They have a total of 2,700 rooms.

Hilton Head, South Carolina

Each year, more than 2.5 million visitors head to Hilton Head, which anchors South Carolina’s southern coast. With its subtropical climate, leisurely activities and some of the Southeast’s finest saltwater fishing, that comes as no surprise. This laid-back yet sophisticated island is a place where flip-flops and khakis are wardrobe staples.

“Hilton Head Island is a great destination because the atmosphere is so inviting,” says Jessica Gardo, manager of marketing and public relations for the Hilton Head Island Visitor and Convention Bureau. “We were green before sustainability even became a buzzword.” Hilton Head was the first eco-planned resort destination in the country, she says, and prides itself on having a carefully preserved, natural environment with protected saltwater marshes, loggerhead sea turtles and tree canopies.

There aren’t any streetlights along the roadways or flashy neon signs in town either. “All of this combines for a relaxing, rejuvenating island vibe that really sets the stage for any meeting, putting attendees in the right mindset to get the most out of their stay,” Gardo says.

Meeting planners especially love the Hilton Head Island Difference program. The program gives groups the opportunity to take part in social responsibility projects organized by the VCB. Two-hour, half-day and full-day programs are available. The activities, such as kayak marsh clean-ups or maintenance of facilities like the Coastal Discovery Museum, encourage teamwork and add an environmental and historical education component to events. Gardo offers a tip for planners: “Meetings on Hilton Head Island are a great value during our shoulder and off-seasons (October through March) when rates are better and the summer family crowds are back in school,” she says. “The weather is temperate year-round and enjoying the beach or being on the golf course is pleasant any time of year. Functions such as a Low Country boil or oyster roast are great outdoor dining experiences that only happen during these months.”

There are five oceanfront hotels that accommodate groups, ranging from executive retreats to groups up to 2,000. The island has two boutique inns for smaller conferences. The largest ballroom accommodates 2,000 people at the Hilton Head Marriott Resort and Spa. There are several select-service properties as well, such as the Hilton Garden Inn, which can accommodate overflow from the larger hotel properties.

Kissimmee, Florida

The Kissimmee area, just outside of Orlando, isn’t all rollercoasters and pixie dust. In addition to the wide range of entertainment and attractions, Kissimmee has more than 47,000 guest rooms, including brand-name hotels, resorts, vacation homes and villas with everything from large meeting space to small boardrooms suited for team planning or strategy sessions.

Rev. Randy Bryant should know. As the executive director of Florida State Association of Free Will Baptists, he’s chosen Kissimmee as the place to host his Seniors’ Summit at the Radisson Resort in October.

The goal of the event is three-fold: edification, fellowship and providing seniors with wholesome, beneficial activities. “Anyone is welcome to participate, but it is promoted among the Free Will Baptist churches in Florida. The attendees come from various churches in various parts of the state. Many of those who attend have come year after year,” says Bryant.

The retreat includes worship services and off-site excursions to theme parks or state parks. As part of the event, seniors will attend Arabian Nights, a popular dinner show in Orlando. Bryant chose the Radisson Resort for this year’s event because of its proximity to entertainment and the golf course on hotel property.

“Kissimmee is a great option because of its location, the number of activities available, great rates and good people to work with,” he says. Beyond the three big theme parks—Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld—new nearby attractions include Fantasy Surf, a 14,000-sq.-ft. indoor aquatic recreation attraction that gives visitors the chance to hop on a body board and ride the waves indoors; Alligator Alley Country Bar, which is built inside of a stone castle; and the Screamin’ Gator zip line at Gatorland, opening this summer, which takes riders along 1,200 feet of high-flying adventure over alligators and jumping crocs.

Mississippi Gulf Coast

When it comes to rich culture and heritage, the Magnolia State has plenty, from antebellum homes to Civil War sites. At the turn of the 19th century, the Mississippi Delta was the birthplace of the blues. In 1935, Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo. The list goes on and on.

Equally appealing are the state’s other amenities like noteworthy art museums and popular annual festivals. Take your pick from the Gulfport Music Festival or Kite Fest in May, St. Paul’s Seafood Festival or Schooner Races in June, Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo in July and the Long Beach Fest in August.

It’s a well-rounded destination, and convenient, too. “The state offers great meeting space like the Mississippi Coast Convention Center, which has more than 410,000 square feet of meeting space,” says Taryn Pratt Sammons, social media/media relations specialist at the Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB.

Recent faith-based events include the Sacred Heart Art Festival, Pass Christian Mardi Gras Parade and the annual Gulf Coast Blessing of the Bikes.

The region has a current room inventory of more than 12,500 rooms. The area has fishing, history and cultural sites including the Beauvoir, the last home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum. The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, Walter Anderson Museum of Art and water-based attractions such as the Biloxi Shrimping Trip or Ship Island Excursions are other popular sites for activities or events.

Palm Beaches, Florida

Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, located about 65 miles north of Miami, hug Florida’s Atlantic coast and have long attracted a well-to-do crowd with their resorts, sparkling waterways, and crowd pleasers such as the Norton Museum of Art and Henry Morrison Flagler. But sprinkled in with high-end resorts are also a collection of full-service meeting properties in the Palm Beaches’ 38 cities and towns and 200 hotels. The area’s convention and entertainment district brings together the 350,000-sq.-ft. convention center, a world-class performing arts center and CityPlace, a shopping, dining and entertainment district. Conference hotels include the Boca Raton Resort and Club, a Waldorf-Astoria resort, with more than 1,000 guest rooms; the 352-room West Palm Beach Marriott, within walking distance of CityPlace and the convention center; and PGA National Resort and Spa, located about 15 minutes from the airport, with 339 guest rooms and 33,900 square feet of meeting space.

Last year marked the completion of a $30 million renovation of West Palm Beaches’ downtown waterfront. Completed in February, the 4.5-acre restoration features a $250,000 lighting system for nightly light shows; green space with swings and seating along its perimeter; a 400-sq.-ft. visitor center; a 4,000-square-foot pavilion for public events and private parties; and a half an acre of sandy beach. The development is the perfect venue for new year-round events and programming for the area and hosts long-established major events like SunFest and the annual Palm Beach International Boat Show.

The additions don’t end there. “We just received a new water taxi service in the north part of the county and are anticipating a new artificial reef and scuba diving park along the Jupiter inlet in the near future,” says Carli Smith, director of public relations and communications for the Palm Beach County CVB. Alos, it was recently announced that the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center will undergo $80 million in expansions and improvements.

“Augusta is excited to offer meeting planners the ability to have all they need under one roof,” said Barry White, president and CEO of the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The exhibit space will be able to hold 188, 10-by-10-foot booths, accommodate 3,500 meeting attendees or 1,800 banquet guests, and have multiple layout possibilities, including the ability to be divided into two rooms. It is aiming to achieve LEED Certification.

The Augusta Chronicle reports that plans were delayed for the center for years as analysis revealed the $20 million in initial funding was not sufficient for construction, as well as controversies over future operations subsidies, an alleged vote-buying scheme involving future jobs at the parking facility and concerns over the need for such a facility in Augusta.

“The Tee center was key,” says Mayor Deke Copenhaver. “They said all along that their business model was predicated on having the Tee Center across the street.”

Managing partner for the 139-room Hyatt hotel, Cortland Dusseau, says his company picked Augusta because the city is proving to be a source of economic strength and investment for companies.