Absolutely Charleston is a leading full-service destination management company in Charleston. Ongoing clients include the area’s foremost hotels, inns, resorts, and meeting professionals and tour operators both locally and across the nation. Unique from other local organizations, Absolutely Charleston owns and operates its own fleet of vehicles that include comfortable airport transportation coaches... minicoaches, and South Carolina’s only Classic American Trolley collection.
A partial menu of our offerings includes:
Destination Management
Accommodations... Spouse & Guest Programs... Sporting Activities...
Breakfasts, Luncheons, Teas, Receptions, and Dinners in Private Mansions,
Historic Buildings, remote Beachfront Locations, select Plantations,
and onboard elegant Yachts
Guide & Touring Services
Private Guides... Step-on Guides... Expert Speakers... and escorted Tours of every Discipline
Transportation Solutions
Airport Shuttles... small, mid-size, and full-size Motorcoaches... Classic American Trolleys
Walt Thorn
President & General Manager
President & General Manager
Walt brings to Absolutely Charleston an extensive background in new business development, sales, marketing, finance, mergers and acquisitions, human resources, and operations. A dedicated entrepreneur, he has founded, owned, and operated over twenty businesses in his career. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President of Development for a $450 million-dollar publicly-traded health care concern with over 3,000 employees nationwide.
Mark Thorn
Vice President
Vice President
Mark brings years of experience in business, sales, marketing and operations. He is fully invested in his family and manages and operates Absolutely Charleston’s “sister company”: Lightningbugz LSVs.
Robert Sullivan
Director & Managing Partner, Destination Management
Director & Managing Partner, Destination Management
Robert is responsible for destination management sales, coordination, and special event design and implementation. Before coming to Absolutely Charleston he was director of catering and conference services at the Five-Diamond, Five-Star, Relais & Châteaux-affiliated Woodlands Resort & Inn; prior to that position he specialized in sales, conference services, and special events at Orient-Express Hotels’ Charleston Place. A native of the Lowcountry, Robert brings to the table over twenty-five years of experience in professional hospitality management.
Karen Dhooge
Sales & Operations Manager, Transportation
Sales & Operations Manager, Transportation
Karen’s responsibilities include overseeing our transportation operations while at the same time directing the "ballet" of vehicle and driver assignments. With an inventory of almost 400 seats distributed through sixteen vehicles chauffeured by approximately forty-five drivers, Karen manages the entire production with the attention to detail and precision of a skilled choreographer. Karen also handles literally all of our socially-related transportation, such as that used for weddings... and as Charleston is one of the nation’s most sought-after destinations for nuptials, it is not unusual for Karen to manage transportation for an average of ten weddings per weekend.
Fletcher Pilling
Fleet Manager, Transportation
Fleet Manager, Transportation
Maintaining the integrity of our transportation rests upon the able shoulders of Fletcher Pilling, our Fleet Manager. Responsible for the general upkeep of all equipment, Fletch ensures scheduled maintenance appointments are kept... repairs are made and upgrades are installed... and is the chief connection between our office and area vehicle service providers. Fletch is also responsible for the day-to-day operational logistics involved in providing transportation to a local industry’s over two thousand employees twenty-four hours per day... seven days per week. In addition to these undertakings, Fletcher is also a volunteer fireman and one of the most avid Soccer and Volleyball Dads in the Carolina Lowcountry.
Kate MacCoy
Program Manager, Destination Management
Program Manager, Destination Management
Kate comes to Absolutely Charleston most recently from Georgia-Pacific’s headquarters in Atlanta, her hometown, where she coordinated the corporation’s recruitment efforts. Prior to that, Kate she managed and produced social and corporate events at Middleton Place(yes… this is Kate’s second stretch at Charleston residency!), and previously was the corporate sales manager for the Denver Athletic Club. With an eye for detail and a flair for the unusual, Kate produces exquisite evening events… delightful delegate and companion excursions… sporting events… and transportation services to the conference guests of the area’s leading hotels, resorts, and boutique properties.
Jenny Stedman Fedewa
Program Manager, Destination Management
Program Manager, Destination Management
A New Yorker by birth and a Southerner by choice, Jenny supports the sales and service efforts of the destination management team and is the principal liaison between our office and its trusted partners and suppliers. She acts as a type of "sommelier" in pairing our City of Charleston-licensed Guides with the appropriate group and excursion, and is often found in the field and on the ground working with our conference guests ensuring that time spent in the Lowcountry – either managed or unscripted – is rewarding... unique... and indicative of Southern graciousness.
Ashley Berry
Administration & Reservations Representative, Transportation
Administration & Reservations Representative, Transportation
Responsible for receiving and manipulating group reservation spreadsheets, Ashley is also on the frontline for providing information regarding general transportation inquiries and requests for service. Manifests produced by arrival date and time? No problem. Manifests produced alphabetically? Of course. Customized departure notices? Right away. In addition to creating exacting arrival and departure manifests, Ashley also makes arrangements for in-terminal Meet & Greet staff and can dispatch our talented and experienced departure staff to any hotel, inn, or resort.
Linda Bennett Wohlfeil Jones
Vice President & Director, Tour Services
Vice President & Director, Tour Services
Linda, a native of Charleston and a member of a family whose local ancestry reaches through the ages, has been a professional tour planner and City of Charleston-licensed Guide since 1983. Media features include “Good Morning America;” WGBH {public television} in Boston; the London Times; British BBC; and Southern Living magazine, amongst many others. A member of the Arts and History Commission of the City of Charleston, Linda also serves a number of other organizations, including the Charleston Tourism Council, the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Catering Executives, the National Tour Association, and the Charleston Hoteliers Exchange Club.
Amy Parr
Program Manager, Destination Management
Program Manager, Destination Management
With over fifteen impactful years in the hospitality and meetings management industry, Amy spent the last decade crisscrossing North America as a Travel Director with companies including Easton Events, Planning the Globe, Pacific Communications, and BB&T, managing travel logistics and events for high-touch / high-profile customers and their guests. Prior, Amy was engaged for six years at Charleston Place, an Orient-Express Hotel, as catering and special events manager. Amy specializes in the small details… finds solutions to any challenge… and excels at being calm under pressure.
Jermaine Washington
Fleet, Warehouse, & Grounds Maintenance, Transportation
Fleet, Warehouse, & Grounds Maintenance, Transportation
When guests appreciatively take note of the gleaming brass and polished teak on our trolleys... that’s Jermaine. When guests quietly admire the military-grade shine on the tires of our coaches... that’s Jermaine. When our coach-riding guests are able to clearly take in the sights of the Carolina Lowcountry through streak- and smudge-free windows... that’s Jermaine, too. Jermaine is responsible for the cleanliness and unsullied appearance of our transportation fleet... both inside and out. A visit to our transportation yard on almost any day will include a sighting of Jermaine, wielding – dependent upon the day – either a pressure washer, vacuum, or any manner of landscaping equipment. Jermaine also assists in keeps our equipment warehouse in meticulous order.
- Blue Moon Events
- Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Middleton Place
- Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina
- City of Charleston
- Distinctive Events
- DoubleTree Guest Suites Charleston Hotel
- Luke Wilson Events
- Market Pavilion Hotel
- Mills House Hotel
- Peacock Events
- Planters Inn
- Renaissance Charleston Hotel
- Soiree
- Timeless Designs
- WED
- Wild Dunes Resort
- Woodlands Resort and Inn
Partners
- Alcoa, Inc.
- BB&T Bank
- BBDO Advertising Worldwide
- Berchtold Corporation
- Brown Forman Corporation
- Citadel Foundation
- College of Charleston
- Comune di Spoleto
- Coca Cola
- Family Circle Cup
- GE Healthcare
- The German Marshall Fund of the United States
- Hermès of Paris
- Historic Charleston Foundation
- Lance
- Michelin North America
- National Audubon Society
- Nexsen Pruet
- Norfolk Southern Corporation
- Smithsonian Institution
- The South Carolina Bar
- South Carolina State Ports Authority
- Southern Living Magazine
- Travel Leaders
- Tribble Creative Group
- University of South Carolina
- Wells Fargo Corporation
- Yale University
Client List
Special Awards
CHARLESTON CVB SALUTES BECKY DAVENPORT OF ABSOLUTELY CHARLESTON
Click to read the story...
From our Corporate Guests
ELIZABETH AMMONS - HCA HEALTHCARE
Please note that Gary arrived here at the facility yesterday with a big smile! He was so very polite, kind and considerate of all out attendees who have given me such high praise of Gary that I wanted share with you. Please say ‘hello’ to Gary from the group!!
The South Atlantic Division has been very pleased with the service of Absolutely Charleston and will continue to work with your fine group when future needs arise.
Additionally, it is always a pleasure to work with you, Karen, in making our arrangements. You should be proud of the standard of service you provide.
Thank you again, Karen, for taking such good care of our group.
MARK C FAVA, CHIEF COUNSEL - BOEING SOUTH CAROLINA
CONGRATULATIONS and a big THANKS go to all of you for just an outstanding Family Day. Now that the event is over, things are In any major event, it starts with the people who lead the program event. And each of you did this and did an outstanding job. Success starts with detailed PLANNING, it then takes extraordinary LEADERSHIP and it then takes strong EXECUTION. And everyone of you excelled at doing each of these. For that, all of you should feel pride and satisfaction for a job well done….. In Jack Jones' words last night he said, "Another home run...Only this time it was with thousands instead of the (Boeing) Board (of directors) and (Boeing) EXCO!"
The partnership with local law enforcement agencies, Compass Rose, Absolutely Charleston and on-site security organization was seamless and thorough. To make this all happen is a testimony to the relationships you have created with these companies and our local law enforcement agencies.
Nice job Absolutely Charleston!
BEATA KOZLOWSKA - BOEING COMMERCIAL AIRPLANES
I would like to thank you a lot for cooperation during our HRLT meeting. Mr.
Fletcher Pilling and Mr. Joe Simmons have provided exceptional service
always on time.
Your and your team flexibility and understanding are highly appreciated.
HELEN TAYLOR
We had THE BEST time on Friday – your bus was perfect – clean and comfortable. Allison could not have been more accommodating or pleasant! I look forward to recommending Absolutely Charleston to anyone needing bus service.
CARNIVAL CRUISES
Recently I held a sales meeting with my team in Charleston, May 10-12th. Your company graciously transferred all of us from the Charleston Airport to the Mills House Hotel. I want to thank you and your excellent team of drivers for the on time rides!
Your drivers & coaches did an outstanding job; we appreciate their knowledge, humor and attention to customer service.
On behalf of the Central U.S. Sales Team for Carnival Cruise Lines, thank you.
787 CONTRACTS
I want to tell you how much I appreciate everything you and your team did for the past year to support Boeing with the shuttle/parking lot service. You did an outstanding job and went the extra mile time and time again. You were always professional and FUN. Thank you so very much for everything and I hope we will be able to work together again on some project. I truly enjoyed working with both of you and I enjoyed working with Mark also. I am planning a trip to Charleston the first week in June and hope we can get together. Please accept my heartfelt THANK YOU for everything. You proved over and over again that Steve and I made the right decision in selecting Absolutely Charleston for this job. WOW!!!! What a team!!!!!!
CHAMBER PARTNERSHIPS INTERNATIONAL
Working with Absolutely Charleston has been Absolutely wonderful!! Please give our sincere thanks to David and Joe, who are both consummate professionals in every way. We are grateful for their excellent skills, flexibility, and pleasant personalities.
HERMES OF PARIS
I can't begin to tell you how amazing the event on Wednesday evening was. You absolutely outdid yourself and you truly understand Hermes of Paris and what we are all about. I don't believe there was one thing that you could have done better. It was perfect, and a perfect ending to our week. Makes me sad that our time together is now over!
AMERICAN LaFRANCE
American LaFrance wishes to thank you for your support of our National Sales Meeting. This year's meeting proved to be the most successful to date. It has provided American LaFrance with a platform to show our sales professionals and vendors that we are truly determined to deliver on our commitments and exemplify the spirit of success. This important event would not have been possible without your support. You were great to work with as was the every Absolutely Charleston staff member. Thank you for making our lives easier and we hope to see you again next year.
TIDEWATER SKANSKA, INC.
I would like to express on behalf of the entire Skanska USA Civil Group, our most sincere appreciation for the services provided by Absolutely Charleston for our annual conference.
For the second year in a row, Tidewater Skanska, Inc. has turned to Charleston as the venue for the annual Skanska USA Civil Conference. I can say without reservation that the entire scope of our dinner and events coordinated through Absolutely Charleston were positively terrific. And I must single out using the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon building as the site for our corporate dinner as the seminal event of the entire conference. The reaction of the conference attendees when exposed to the history, elegance and ambiance of this beautiful building was nothing short of awe.
From the service of your caterer to the period musical entertainment provided to the perfectly executed decor the entire evening was a memory-maker. It was as promised, a wonderful evening.
Again, on behalf of all of Skanska USA Civil Group, thank you for helping to make our annual conference so completely successful.
THE CHRYSLER GROUP
I wanted to take this time to thank you for what was the best planned event our group has experienced worldwide! Our international meeting was a success only because of your sharp logistics... which were 100% error-free. With 290 executives from nine countries, we anticipated issues, but I must say we have never had an event run this smoothly! Thank you on behalf of everyone in our group.
BENCHMARK MEDICAL, INC.
Our company recently hosted a quarterly meeting in Charleston, and, we were fortunate enough to have been referred to your company for our ground transportation needs. We had many events planned and needed reliable motorcoach transportation. I made contact with one of your program managers, Ms. Mary Alice Keller and described the planned events and the culture of our company, and Mary Alice assured me that Absolutely Charleston would meet the mark.
Upon arrival in Charleston I learned that our key attendee's flight was delayed and it was unlikely that he would meet the departure time for our planned dinner cruise. It was critical that he make the ship departure time for business reasons. I explained the situation to Mary Alice and she made it happen! How, I’m certain, but she did it and that is all that mattered. It is evident when someone is passionate about what they do and Mary Alice makes that very evident. She was determined, committed, and driven to meet all of our needs. She followed through with precision and professionalism... and her example of "Southern Hospitality" gives our examples of northern "Brotherly Love" a run for the money! When our company returns to Charleston we look forward to utilizing your company again.
ABBOTT LABORATORIES
On behalf of Abbott Laboratories' and the Pharmaceutical Environmental Group, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the exceptional service we received from you at our recent event in Charleston.
As you know, this was a first time meeting for PEG and all of our attendees were from out-of-town. Our goal was to host an event that would showcase the "flavor" of the Charleston area and offer a location conducive to networking. From the carriage rides, to The Exchange Building, to the docent and the gospel ensemble, everything worked out perfectly due to your superb recommendations. Robert, not only are you extremely knowledgeable but you have a passion for executing successful events that is unmatched. Thank you for your enthusiasm, suggestions, keeping us keep within our budget, and accommodating our special requests. The arrangements were flawless. Also, we'd like to thank your entire staff who graciously entertained and served us through the evening for an outstanding job! Everyone was very appreciative and had a wonderful time.
THE GOODRICH CORPORATION
During our stay at Wild Dunes Resort for the Goodrich Corporation Legal Conference, we contracted your company for our transportation needs. Absolutely Charleston was very impressive and I will definitely recommend your company for future transportation needs.
Your drivers reported to the embarkation locations fifteen minutes before their scheduled times and were always polite and friendly. The vehicles were clean and well maintained. Thank you for everything!
FARMERS INSURANCE GROUP
Walt, you guys are unbelievable! You entertained 343 of our top producers on seven different custom planned tours with fifteen starting times... then shuttled a total of 500 participants and their families and guests to the South Carolina Aquarium for dinner, all in one day over a fourteen-hour time period... with no mistakes! That's not counting the airport arrivals and departures. Great job and thanks!
LEGG MASON
I just wanted to personally thank you for your commitment and dedication to the Alpharma customer meeting, held last week at Wild Dunes Resort. Arranging the pickups and shuttles cannot be easy, especially with the amount of changes that happen along the way. I will recommend you highly to everyone I know that travels to Charleston. Even our guests made comments of how exceptionally courteous and prompt all of the drivers were. Thanks again for the amazing service!
SCANA CORPORATION
I owe you, Linda, and your entire company my sincere thanks and appreciation for a job well done. If this had been the World Series, it would have been a clean sweep for SCANA and Absolutely Charleston! The events planned for the spouses of directors and officers of SCANA were well-received and they had so many wonderful comments regarding their "Absolutely Charleston” experience. Many thanks once again, Robert.
HILTON WORLDWIDE
I am writing to offer my sincere thanks for all your help with the board of directors’ meeting we hosted in Charleston in October. Working with you and Absolutely Charleston was a pleasure! The meeting planner was very impressed with your creativity and attention to detail. The tours and activities arranged for the group were, as usual, top drawer. Your transportation is always timely and the drivers courteous and knowledgeable. Thanks to Absolutely Charleston, a good time was had by all. Please add my name to what must be a long list of hospitality professionals happy to recommend the excellent service delivered by the Absolutely Charleston destination management team!
SOUTH CAROLINA WORLD TRADE CENTER
On behalf of the SCWTC and the U.S. Department of State’s delegation from Africa, I would like to thank you and your team for excellent service. We look forward to working with you in the future.
From our Wedding and Social Guests
SUSAN BECKHAM, NOVEMBER 2011
The phone has not stopped ringing this morning with friends and family calling to tell us about the SPECTACULAR time they had at the wedding. The trolley service was simply perfect, and I appreciate your verifying the overtime charge with me this morning. It is rare in these times to find a company that is both professional and personable simultaneously. Absolutely Charleston and you and your personnel are that rare combination. Thank you so much for all your help.
CAROLINE NUTTALL, PUBLISHER, CHARLIE
Thank you so much for having Absolutely Charleston participate as the featured June "Party" for CHARLIE CLUB! It was a HUGE hit!!
It got a little crazy and Becky was wonderful! So, so much fun! I adore those vehicles! People loved it. One girl on board said she is going to look into for booking for her wedding this fall! Cha-ching!
You've seen some of the chatter on Twitter, and we took loads of pics and those will be going up in our SOCIETY section of CHARLIE within the next few days.
So glad to have your involvement in CHARLIE CLUB! The buzz was great and I believe they'll see residual business from it for certain!
LYN SMALL, PALMETTO EVENT SERVICES, OCTOBER 2010
Just want to let you know what a wonderful job Carla and the other driver did for the Russell/Laskis wedding Saturday. They were very punctual, courteous, and stayed in constant communication with me. Please pass my compliments on to them.
RENEE DICKINSON, OCTOBER 2010
I cannot say enough about you and your team. You all handled everything beautifully. I have to especially say how wonderful your driver Fred is. He was so well organized and helpful. Please let him know how much we appreciate all his hard work.
SHAUNI COHRON (mother of the bride), OCTOBER 2010
Just wanted to thank you and your team for the fun Trolley #7 that the wedding party used last Sept. 24th! The wedding party thought it was so fun when the Trolley showed up at our hotel to pick them up!
I had Christy handle everything, so I am sure all went smoothly, but I just wanted to reach out to you and your company for the great service.
I would reccommend Absolutely Charleston anytime to future wedding parties! It was a lot of fun!
LYNN THOMSON LOCKHEED MARTIN GT&L, OCTOBER 2010
Just wanted to thank you for awesome service! The bus was on time, clean and the driver, Agnes was terrific!
Everyone enjoyed their trip to and from High Cotton.
The trolley transportation that the Drs. Ferris contracted with you for the wedding was a lot of fun too!
We will certainly recommend your company/services to everyone!
LINDSEY POWERS (Planner). SOCIAL GRACES, MAY 2010
I just wanted to say how great it was to work with you on Heather and Ben's Wedding last weekend. You were all so professional and accomodating. Allison and John, the drivers, were super too! I greatly thank you for all of your help and look forward to working with you again in the future.
KENDALL (Bride), MAY 2010
I just wanted to thank you and Absolutely Charleston for a fantastic day. You all were so easy to work and communicate with and the driver was FANTASTIC!!! All our guests loved the trolley and the views he showed them on the way to the reception. He went above and beyond to make our day go smoothly and he was wonderful. I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate everything and we will whole heartedly recommend you company.
JANELLE DELUCO SMITH, APRIL 2010
I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for the excellent service that we received on our wedding day! Considering all the traffic that was in town for the Blue Angels we felt the trolley experience was a huge success!! John was professional and wonderful!
KRISTEN NEWMAN, WEDDING PLANNER, KRISTIN NEWMAN DESIGN, APRIL 2010
THANK YOU SO MUCH for everything this weekend. The transportation went PERFECTLY. You always take such VIP care of us and we appreciate more than you will ever know!!
AMY, APRIL 2010
WOW thank you so much. Everything was perfect and in the end - I was very relieved that my guests had a reliable ride home. I work at MUSC and will be recommending you to everyone. It was a pleasure working with you! Thanks again!!!
LEA WHITE, MARCH 2010
I can't tell you how wonderful our driver was... And we loovvveed the rice spoon! We will definitely give a glowing recommendation to Absolutely Charleston - the whole process was painless :)
KATE BADGER LITTLE, SOIREE OF CHARLESTON
Just wanted to thank you so much, your drivers from Friday and Saturday were so polite, cooperative, and easy to work with. Everything went so smoothly and they were great! Thank you so much, please give them all a big raise :)
MORGAN YOUNG, KRISTIN NEWMAN DESIGNS
THANKS SO MUCH!! For all of the great service this weekend…flawless!!! Really appreciate it! Thanks for communicating all of our needs to the drivers so well. Allison ROCKS! She and Joe are the GREATEST….please tell her how much her cheerful attitude and attention to detail are so appreciated. She really goes the extra mile to make everyone happy and comfortable!!
H. AMANDA ASSEY, SOUTHERN CHIC WEDDINGS AND EVENTS
Everything went perfectly for Erin and Patrick's wedding yesterday. Your driver could not have been more kind, professional, or accommodating. Thank you for helping me to pull off another successful event! I look forward to working with you again very soon.
THE SIDEBOTTOMS, SEPTEMBER 2009
Our Wedding wouldn't have been such a wonderful success without the participation of Absolutley Charleston. We loved the trolley and so did the entire Wedding party. It was so much fun to drive from Summerall Chapel, along the Battery, to the Carolina Yacht Club. DeAnne was a wonderful driver and a real delight! Thanks for making our Wedding day so memorable!
ELIZABETH GRACE, AUGUST 2009
I just want to thank you for the trolley transportation! The trolley was perfect, and we had such a wonderful time. Bonita was so nice to us and we really enjoyed her. Also, thank you so much for the beautiful silver pineapple spoon, it is beautiful. Thank you for making this process so easy, I will definitely recommend Absolutely Charleston. It was a pleasure corresponding with you.
RACHEL HOLMES KELLEY, AUGUST 2009
The trolleys were a wonderful addition to the celebration. They were beautiful and useful, and everyone loved them! Thank you so much for being a part of our special day.
CHRIS HILTON, JUNE 2009
It was such a pleasure working with you on all our transportation needs for both our son's rehearsal dinner and for our son and daughter-in-law's wedding the next day. Your company did an outstanding job! All the drivers were courteous and polite and on-time with pick up and delivery of guests. I would highly recommend your company to anyone who needs transportation services in the Charleston area.
You were an absolute delight to work with and I appreciate all you did to make our wedding weekend a weekend to remember for a very long time.
Please feel free to use our names if you ever need a referral.
KATHI DOLDER, MAY 2009
I just wanted to thank you so much for everything you and your company did to contribute to making my son's wedding a wonderful event. The trolley's were so nice and fun and the drivers, especially DeeAnn, were great. Thanks for handling the last minute call from my husband about coolers on the trolley - that was a special touch that the guests really appreciated.
Thanks also for the beautiful rice spoon - what a wonderful surprise.
If your company ever needs a reference for future clients, please feel free to use me.
SALLY DALRYMPLE, APRIL 2009
The Trolley Transportation was perfect; we had total peace of mind knowing the wedding party was all together and safely driven on those roads.
The Rice Spoon was over the top. Thank you for delivering our children safely. The Ringbearer wants to be a “trolley driver to the party when he grows up.”
From our Association Guests
THE CHURCH AT LIFEPARK
My name is Paul Coleman and I am the Student Minister at The Church at LifePark in North Mt. Pleasant. I'm writing to give a word of thanks to your company for the service that was provided to our group to and from camp in March 25 & 27, 2011. Our middle school group has outgrown the current church transportation and so we needed your services to be able to get a group of excited students to camp to enjoy creation, have some fun, and grow in their faith. All of these things happened while we were there!
The mini-coaches were in great shape, clean, and the ride was smooth. The drivers, Joe & Becky, were both fantastic. Ms. Becky D. on the way home was perfect for our group, she was early, professional, patient with the students and very kind to our whole group. (In fact she was more than willing to take a group picture before we left to go back home...and doing this for a group of rowdy middle schoolers is a feat in itself.) She definitely was a bright spot for your company.
Overall we were pleased with the service from Absolutely Charleston. And your employees did a fine job representing you. Often times companies don't get the positive feedback, so I wanted you to know how pleased we were.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS
You have no idea how grateful I am for the tremendous help you were to me in planning our October trip to Charleston. You have been a gem to work with, have the patience of Job, the greatest sense of humor, and have made this trip one to remember!
The personal attention you paid to us was certainly above and beyond the expected; you gave our little frog in a big pond every attention that you would for visiting dignitaries from anywhere in the world.
Since returning to Virginia Beach I have been receiving notes in the mail from my many members thanking me for the wonderful trip. Most of them say it was the best trip ever, and I’ve been doing this job since 1991! I could not have done it without you and I thank you most profusely for your personal interest in our group.
AMERICAN HOME FURNISHINGS ALLIANCE
Many thanks once again for an exceptional meeting in Charleston. I know we can always count on Absolutely Charleston and RGJS pulling out all the stops and making our group feel very much at home. Our executives always appreciate your warm Charleston hospitality, which helps the city come up again and again on our list of most requested destinations from our members.
It is always a treat to work with you and your fine staff and we appreciate all that you did to make our meeting such a success.
GEORGIA TEXTILE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
Thanks so very much for getting GTMA's annual meeting off to such a great start! You were masterful in conveying the rich history of Charleston and in preparing our meeting attendees for experiencing all that the city offers.
The meeting is being regarded as among the best ever, and you helped to ensure that result. Again, you have our thanks.
THE SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM EVALUATION ENGINEERS
We want to thank you and your firm for planning and carrying out a most excellent event for our annual meeting. I have had very good feedback on the tours that occurred on Monday but by far the greatest triumph was the Boone Hall gathering. We had very high hopes and the event exceeded them all. The setting was perfect, the dinner was excellent, the entertainment was exceptional and, best of all, the re-enactors added an unforgettable flourish.
We were particularly impressed, however, with your unsurpassed ability to not only control the weather but to arrange for a cool jazz and bluegrass evening. Sadly, it ended far too soon. Bravo!
From our Reunion, Armed Forces, and Festival Guests
CHAMP MARINES
On behalf of the "Champ Marines" I would like to thank you and your staff for the fine service you provided for us when we were in Charleston late June. David was friendly and courteous and a wonderful driver both days we had him. What a great staff you have for group tours who avail themselves of your company's service!
CHAMP MARINES
On behalf of the "Champ Marines" I would like to extend our thanks for the wonderful tour you provided us when we were in Charleston in late June. Linda, we so dearly loved your Monday night presentation of what to expect on our tour with Fran who was knowledgeable and friendly. We so enjoyed her and what a great guide.
We all had a wonderful time in your beautiful city and hope to return in the near future.
YALE UNIVERSITY
Our Yale University Class of 1951 reunion in Charleston last week was hugely appreciated and widely praised as the best ever of our fifteen previous off-site reunions – reunions that included glamorous destinations such as Firenze, London, New Orleans, Santa Fe, and San Francisco and the Napa Valley. This was the unanimous verdict reached by all one hundred thirty nine of us!
I am certain it comes as no surprise to you when I say that there was “Absolutely” no way I could have planned, managed, and then participated in the various events so enjoyably without the extraordinary help of Absolutely Charleston’s Jennifer Ferrebee and her colleague, Jenny Stedman. Jennifer thought “out of the box” in so many ways, suggesting solutions to opportunities that stymied me and at the same time she managed unforeseen situations such as the record-breaking deluge on the day we spent at Drayton Hall and Middleton Place{guests found an Absolutely Charleston umbrella thoughtfully placed in each of the Yale canvas tote bags... and, of course, it was Jennifer who even arranged for the personalized totes!}.
In every respect she is reliable, resourceful, and more than merely a pleasant person with whom to work. I quite simply could not have done it without her; in fact, in many respects she made the program function... I was simply there for the ride! She also coordinated beautifully with the hotel staff.
In all of our day-to-day programs Jenny Stedman provided unflappable assistance, making certain that we kept to our schedule. She was also a very helpful and knowledgeable link between Ms. Ferrebee and me: whenever I called needing additional information or a solution to a potential problem Jenny was there and supplied just the information I needed.
I “Absolutely” endorse your organization as first-rate, and I hope you will feel free to consider me as a reference for Absolutely Charleston at any time.
USS LATIMER
This letter is late, but it doesn't diminish the praise to your staff who conducted the tours for the USS Latimer naval reunion in October.
Mary Alice Keller and Ken Goodman, your trip director, couldn't have been more accommodating. Mary Alice, especially, was pleasant to work with in planning our tours for the reunion and imperturbable even given the amount of changes of made. Ken gave interesting annotations about Charleston’s history and her people... past and present.
All in all, your staff made our reunion a very enjoyable experience, and I would certainly recommend Absolutely Charleston to anyone who wanted to plan a reunion in Charleston.
SOUTH CAROLINA MARITIME FESTIVAL
Many thanks to you and the staff of Absolutely Charleston for all that was done to make{the South Carolina Maritime Festival} a successful event! Despite grueling weather conditions, your team performed seamlessly. I totally trusted your judgment and ability to handle any situation that arose with professionalism and I’m glad I did so!
USS LEARY
I would really be remiss if I didn't take some time to express my sincere appreciation and thanks for the tour schedule you provided for the USS Leary reunion. You have really provided a real professional touch to the tour industry. Without a doubt, after going to nine reunions, since the beginning, I can honestly say that I have yet to hear as many of the compliments from the group about the variety of the tours and the quality of the guides giving the talks on the busses. It is the first reunion I know of that we didn't get any criticism from someone in the group. The plan you arranged for the tours was perfect. No one was disappointed and everything clicked off on time. Even to the treatment of the members with disabilities. You probably have an idea what it is like not to have any complaints, I don't. It is rare that we don't hear some problem with the tours. This time was entirely different. For that I am thankful and grateful. You have really done a fantastic job for us and I for one, representing the Group, couldn't be more appreciative.
U.S. NAVAL RESERVE
Absolutely Charleston recently provided motorcoach transportation to the more than 140 Naval Reserve Officers attending the Naval Sea Systems Command Commanding Officer/Executive Officer Meeting at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center. Thanks to your extraordinary efforts as Director of Destination Management, the event was a resounding success. Your contributions, resourcefulness and willingness to go the extra mile to make it a valuable experience and are certainly appreciated.
Please accept my heartfelt thanks for a job WELL DONE!