A full convention with a bustling trade show may be a no-go in the days of COVID-19, but there’s still a need to network and collaborate in person. You can still get down to business in Durham, just now in a socially distanced or virtual way.
Now is the time to bring some new strategies to the table and rely on the expertise of Discover Durham to plan accordingly.
Picking a COVID conscious destination
Having earned its moniker as the City of Medicine, it’s no surprise that Durham has been committed to containing COVID-19. Durham was the first locality to have a mask mandate and has listened carefully to the experts and researchers at the world-class Duke Health System about how best to reopen. More than 1,200 local businesses – including many hotel properties and event venues – have also committed to taking health and safety precautions. Planners that pick Durham can be confident their clients will be welcomed by a community eager to host in a safe and enjoyable manner.
Unique venues with indoor and outdoor amenities
If you’re considering a hybrid meeting or outdoor event for your next gathering, here are five Durham destinations to claim as your home base.
Research Triangle Foundation’s Frontier 800 and Archie K. Davis Conference Center
In the heart of the prestigious Research Triangle Park, the Research Triangle Foundation’s collaborative indoor space has the bandwidth needed for hybrid meetings with high-tech audio-visual and virtual requirements. A large parking lot can accommodate socially distanced outdoor events. Boxyard RTP will open in 2021, making for great entertainment during breaks. The complex is just five miles from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, offering easy access for out-of-town travelers.
Golden Belt
A former textile factory, the historic Golden Belt campus is now home to businesses, artist workshops and event spaces. Gather safely inside multiple indoor meeting areas, including the sprawling Cotton Room and Great Hall. Outdoor sessions can be held at the Mill Stage, which includes a courtyard and stage, and Hi-Wire Brewing that has a large outdoor covered patio and beer garden.
American Tobacco Campus
The American Tobacco Campus is a hub for businesses, restaurants, shopping and entertainment, including the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and Durham Performing Arts Center. Bay 7 offers 10,000 square feet of event space. It’s also an easy walk from ATC to 43 other venues across Downtown Durham for everything from intimate get-togethers to larger gatherings.
Durham Convention Center Complex
Just one mile from Duke and North Carolina Central University, the Durham Convention Center Complex features five venues: the Durham Convention Center, Carolina Theatre, Durham Arts Council, Durham Armory and the Durham Marriott. Attendees will be steps away from nationally acclaimed restaurants, and Durham Central Park just down the street. The complex is also few blocks from even more event space at boutique hotels like the 21c Museum Hotel, The Durham Hotel, and The Unscripted.
Ready to turn your conference or meeting into a hybrid outdoor event? Contact Discover Durham.
