With a full time staff of 9 professional transportation, destination management, special event and tour coordinators and 110 part time staff, our Corporate Service Destination Management capabilities include:
-
Special Events
- Accommodations
- Comprehensive Meeting Services
- Site Inspections and Familiarization Tours
- Group & Personal Tours of Historic Areas
- Comprehensive Transportation Solutions
- Destination Sales and Business Development
- Cruise Ship Groundhandler and Excursion Operator
Special Events: From board meetings, regattas, off-premise banquets, golf tournaments, cocktail parties, spouse programs and custom tours to elaborate, tented galas with full service catering, entertainment and special effects; we specialize in the unique and different.
Accommodations: There are many places to consider in Charleston from 4-star hotels and new luxury boutique properties in the heart of the historic district, to oceanside resorts and quaint inns or just really nice properties across the river. We know them all and can advise appropriately based on your budget, what you want to do and where you need to be.
Comprehensive Meeting Services: Room bloc management; on-site liaison between company, conference location, purveyors and vendors; coordination of equipment movement and set-up; complete transportation management from airport transfers to shuttle services to mass moves for up to 5000 guests, including on-line registration for airport transfers; creative services, production and management for special events; on-site dedicated conference professionals.
Site Inspections & Familiarization Tours: One of the most unique services we offer is a FAMtour of the area. Most groups and individuals are coming to this area for its bountiful list of sites and resources. Our experienced staff will conduct a customized site and FAMtour, to your specifications, that will "ground" your guest in the history, unique opportunities and geographical reference points of the area. This frequently overlooked, yet highly rewarding opportunity, will show your guest that you care about their knowledge of the area.
Group & Personal Tours of Historic Areas: No other organization in the Charleston area has the resources and access that Absolutely Charleston offers. All of the company's guides are licensed by the City of Charleston; many hold post-graduate degrees in their respective areas of expertise. Our guides are knowledgeable, professional and are empowered to act in the customer's best interest when on-the-spot requests or changes are made. Our Touring Services department includes experts in not only Charleston's famed history, but also in antiques, silver, the creation of retail empires, and local horticultural and gardening efforts and expertise.
Comprehensive Transportation Solutions: Absolutely Charleston is owner operated and has the largest fleet of first class vehicles in the area, and has, within a relatively short amount of time, earned an approximate 85% market share in transportation services for inbound conference and association group business in the Charleston area. Dedication to customer service constantly upgrading and enlarging its fleet and providing an unmatched level of service to its guests are the reasons for our success.
Destination Sales & Business Development: Absolutely Charleston recognizes the fact that a true "partnering" of organizations results only when the relationship is symbiotic; to that end, we have established a destination sales and business development arm whose sole purpose is to proactively seek out and qualify new business for the Charleston area. A relatively new service of Absolutely Charleston, we have already processed over 750 group room nights in the Charleston area in just three months an unprecedented feat for a local destination management organization. Furthermore, we are actively involved in the economic, corporate and business development process in the tri-county area, by associating and providing services to in-bound corporate clients through the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, Noisette Development Corporation, North Charleston Economic Development and SPAWARS.
Cruise Ship Groundhandler & Excursion Operator: Absolutely Charleston is the only Charleston based company providing cruise ship shore services. From embarkation/disembarkation of up to 8000 passengers per visit on cruise ships, to managing logistics for shore excursions for thousands of passengers during Port-of-Call visits, we are the exclusive groundhandler for Norwegian Cruise Lines, Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Lines at the Port of Charleston and for Royal Caribbean/Celebrity AND Carnival Cruise Lines at the new JAXPORT, Port of Jacksonville (Fla) Cruise Terminal, Galveston, TX, Philadelphia, Port Canaveral and Mobile, AL.
