Greensboro, for instance, is centrally located, has aninternational airport and many other convenient facilities, withthe Greensboro Coliseum offering 120,000 sf of meeting space. Thecity also boasts 14 full-service hotels and a golf course.Greensboro has just hosted the USA Track and Field NationalConference, beating out Portland, OR, Miami and Atlantic City,NJ.

In recent years, some events have outgrown the coliseum's120,000 sf, according to management, and local officials areseeking funding for a 30,000-sf expansion. Charlotte's conventioncenter, on the other hand, has 280,000 sf of exhibit space and a35,000-sf ballroom. Charlotte also has over 20,000 hotel rooms,more than any other city in the Carolinas. The city also offers along list of restaurants, museums, sporting events and plenty ofshopping. Getting there is another plus, with 500 fights servingthe city daily.

Charlotte hopes to become even more competitive in a few moreyears when a convention headquarters hotel is completed. The700-room Westin Hotel will make it easier for the city to hostlarge conventions.