Meeting Destinations
Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina.
Columbia South Carolina might just be the perfect spot for you to plan your next meeting, conference or group gathering. This is a city with a wide ranging selection of hotels and space to meet your needs for whatever type of function, convention or symposium you may be planning. With well over 530,000 square feet of regional meeting space and the well equipped Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center with its astounding 142,500 square feet of floor space just waiting to be divided up for high traffic funneled events or utilized as a whole for tradeshow exhibits, Columbia has the space and confidence to service what ever your large event needs may dictate. Other large facilities include the 18,000 seat Colonial Life Arena, with 41 suites and the McGuire Room, a full-service hospitality room suitable for up to 300 people, and theCarolina Coliseum on the campus of the University of South Carolina with a 12,000 seating capacity.
The transportation in Columbia has three major interstates (I-77, I-26 and I-20), and the central business district is situated six miles northeast of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. The airport is served by American, Continental, Delta, United, US Airways and Vision with nonstop flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, New York, Washington Dulles and Washington National for those needing direct flights into Columbia.
Three major hotels include properties like the 300 room Columbia Marriott, with 25,000 square feet of meeting space; the 220 room Hilton Columbia, with 6,000 square feet of meeting space; and the 135 room Sheraton Columbia Downtown, with 8,000 square feet of meeting space.
Of course there are other venues that cater to mediumer functions like the William Yates Conference Center which is geared for more mid-sized events or the Colonial Life Arena, which offers 18,000 seats and all the supporting equipment for your symposium or presentation needs. More intimate meeting and conference space venues are available in area hotels and even in some unusual sites like the Buck Ridge Plantation, a private hunting preserve and retreat tucked away in the country on 6,000 acres of combined unspoiled and beautifully maintained grounds.
The venues are more numerous than events you can dream up or imagine. Show your cultured side by hosting an event at theColumbia Museum of Art or the City Art Gallery. Hold your class or family reunion at the Hampton Preston Mansion and Gardens and give those who attend a treat with a glimpse into the authentic Antebellum South. As you may surmise, many of the weddings of Columbia's who's who are hosted in high fashion here in the city's Capital.
By the way, the Capital City Club offers a panoramic view of the State Capitol Building and the University of South Carolina that features a library lounge, main dining room, eight private dining rooms and a ballroom for private functions for up to 600 people. A Southern setting in downtown can accommodate 150 for a cocktail party and 250 for a garden reception at the 200 year old Seibels House and Garden.
Whether a wedding group, a family reunion or a major high-volume convention, we offer to you, our expertise in determining your criteria with you, then seeking hotel venues to accommodate both your hosting party or presenters and your attendees. Allow us to find the perfect meeting spot and lodging accommodations with appropriate pricing to suit your group's budget.
For recreation Columbia offers outdoor venues that comprise over 35 parks and gardens providing numerous eco-activities. For group activities and attractions the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, South Carolina State House Capitol Building, loaded with history, portraits, other works of art and the Columbia Museum of Art. Kick back and relax at one of the quaint cafe or coffee shops that abound in downtown Columbia.
Columbia boasts over 450 options for your dining selection. No matter what your mood, you'll find a range of eateries that is bound to hit the spot. From casual quick at national chains to original and unique concepts found at individually owned cafe and bistro dining to the very finest of cuisine.
Complete our online booking request to utilize our group planner know-how and professional relationships with many venues, functions and resort sites to help you plan your event right down to the menu, if necessary. Allow us to help you find the perfect venue location, with just the right touches of technology, elegance and professionalism. All at no cost to you! Whatever you need...
Planning meetings for our business is time consuming, and finding your service at no extra expense has made out sourcing your services for our meeting locations around the country the best choice for us.
James B.
New York, NY
The Signatures Group was extremely helpful in securing the appropriate lodging for our daughters destination wedding to Charleston. They took the pressure off me and allowed me to be the mother of the bride and enjoy the fabulous weekend as a guest. A rare treat for me.
B. Choyke Elmhurst, IL
Thanks for helping us find the perfect hotel for our wonderful family reunion. Great Service! No Charge! We will be using you again for other cities!
Johnson Family, Atlanta GA
