Meetings & Conference Hosting

Chapel Hill is a conveniently accessible and hospitable town to host a multi-day conference in North Carolina. Our downtown is considered one of the best dining destinations in the Triangle, and we’re located just seven miles from Durham and Duke University and 30 miles from the renowned Research Triangle Park. Many of our conference centers are a short distance from the scenic UNC-Chapel Hill campus:

Friday Conference Center

• IACC-certified venue with 25,000 sq. ft. of space
• 425-seat multi-use auditorium
• 19 meeting rooms for breakout sessions
• Sunlit atrium

Rizzo Center

• 30,000 square feet of conference space
• 55 meeting and breakout rooms
• Integrated instructional technology
• Award-winning service with Southern grace

Carolina Inn

• Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Four-Diamond property with 16,000+ sq. ft. of flexible event space
• Meticulously landscaped courtyards
• Unique gathering spaces

Graduate Chapel Hill

• Curated meeting space celebrating university culture
• Located on iconic Franklin Street in the heart of downtown
• teps from dining, nightlife, music, and close to 300 shops

From state-of-the-art conference facilities to unconventional meeting spaces for teams of every size, we offer the perfect blend of Southern hospitality and modern amenities to make your event unforgettable. For even more hotels and meeting spaces, explore the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Meeting Guide.

Planning a conference or coordinating a board retreat? The logistics alone can be overwhelming. But there’s good news: you don’t have to do it alone.

The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau offers complimentary meeting planning services from start to finish. During pre-planning, they’ll schedule and coordinate site visits, locate suppliers, secure competitive venue rates, and provide branded destination materials to promote your event. Need media exposure? They’ll supply local targeted contact lists and assist with press release distribution.

When your event arrives, the support continues. Attendees receive visitors guides and maps, while you gain access to coordinated tours, custom itineraries, and connections to local speakers, entertainers, caterers, and promotional resources.

It’s dedicated local knowledge and exceptional support — all to ensure your conference, event, or team offsite runs smoothly.

Great teams aren’t built in conference rooms alone. They’re built through shared experiences that grow trust and create lasting bonds.

Chapel Hill offers the perfect backdrop for meaningful connections. Explore historic sites, unique gardens, world-class museums, and art galleries together. Stroll Franklin Street’s 300+ shops, boutiques, and restaurants for vibrant downtown bonding. Wander the largest botanical gardens in the southeast, or celebrate competitive spirit at the Carolina Basketball Museum. Let your team discover Chapel Hill’s character through 30+ downtown murals that spark conversation and creativity.

When the sun sets, toast success at local craft breweries including Top of the Hill and Carolina Brewery or let your hair down at music venues like Cat’s Cradle.

When it’s time to dine, our restaurants deliver everything from international Greek and Middle Eastern cuisines to Southern country cooking. Chapel Hill was named America’s “Foodiest Small Town” by Bon Appétit, and the town is home to James Beard award-winning chef Andrea Reusing’s Lantern Restaurant — which offers a private dining room and connected garden patio perfect for a cocktail hour.

For more ideas, explore the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau’s Visitors Guide.