Charleston Named Most Mannerly City in America
Ms. Marjabelle Young Stewart, an expert on courtesy who has been listing the nation�s most mannerly cities for the past 28 years, ranked Charleston #1 yet again. Charleston has been on the list each year of its existence. This year marks the 11th time that the Holy City has taken the top honor.

Charleston Area Honored By Southern Living Magazine
Charleston was honored by the readers and staff in Southern Living magazine�s issue entitled Southern Living Favorites. This special yearly issue highlighted the Charleston area in numerous categories including Top City, Favorite Spots, Shopping, Restaurant, and Culinary delights. For more information or to cast your ballot, visit www.SouthernLiving.com.

Absolutely Charleston
Absolutely Charleston�s cruise ship logistics company, Cruise Services USA, received a number of awards during the International SeaTrade Convention. Norwegian Cruise Lines ranked the Company 1st Place for Embarkation Services-Fleet Wide, 2004 for its Charleston, SC services. Celebrity Cruise Lines awarded the company 1st Place for Best Check-In Ratings and Carnival Cruise Lines awarded the company 1st Place for Customer Service. Call 843-478-7998.

Stella Nova Spa and Salon
For the fourth year in a row, Stella Nova Spa and Salon was named one of the 200 fastest growing salons by Salon Today magazine, a top business publication for the professional beauty industry. The salons are selected from a pool of the 25,000 top-producing salons in the country. Call 843-577-2500.

Drayton Hall Conducts an Archeological Field School
Archeologists are embarking on an archeological field school from May 23 through June 24, 2005 to identify with certainty the location of 18th-century slave housing. Although scholars believe that these structures stood on the land-front lawn of the plantation, they do not know for sure and find this information critical to understanding life at Drayton Hall in the 18th and 19th centuries. Call 843- 769-2601.

Middleton Place
Middleton Place is offering a new family summer special. Children 15 & under are admitted free to the Gardens and Stableyards with a paying adult. Families can enjoy the many facets of Middleton Place such as the Stableyards, which are alive with animals and costumed craftspeople re-creating the activities of an 18th century rice plantation. Visitors can also explore history and nature with a Carriage Ride, Garden Overview Tour, African American Focus Tour, etc. Call 843-556-6020.

Patriots Point 4th of July Blast
Come to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum on the Charleston Harbor and for one of the biggest July 4th fireworks displays in the Palmetto state. Enjoy summertime food and drink favorites and watch the kids have a blast in the larger than ever Kids Zone. Next enjoy live music center stage before and after the fireworks. The fun begins at 5pm. Call 866-831-1720 or visit www.patriotspoint.org.

Traditional Home Magazine�s Annual Weekend Living Event
Traditional Home editors will host exclusive tours of Charleston�s Historic Houses and Gardens as part of Weekend Living June 3-5, 2005. The magazine will offer a tour of never-before-seen historic Charleston houses, a private walk through the Magnolia Plantation & Gardens and a VIP concert experience with Editor in Chief, Ann Maine. For more info, visit www.traditionalhome.com.

Sculpture in the South
Sculpture in the South 2006 takes place May 20th & 21st in Historic Summerville. Renowned sculptors from across the country will present Western, figurative and wildlife sculpture for exhibit and sale. Discover sculpture suitable for sitting room or city park. Proceeds benefit public sculpture acquisition. Call 843-851-7800 or visit www.sculptureinthesouth.com.

South Carolina Aquarium
The SC Aquarium turns five years old in 2005. Celebrations are planned throughout the month of May. Aquarium Wharf is home to all the ecosystems of South Carolina at the Aquarium as well as the IMAX Theater, the American Military Museum and the thought-provoking Fort Sumter National Monument Interpretive Center. Visit www.aquariumwharf.com.

The Gibbes Museum of Art
The Gibbes Museum�s beautiful 1905 building turns 100 this year! Gibbes celebrates all year with exhibits giving a nod to the past and the 150 year-old collection, along with new, forward-reaching shows throughout the year. Visit www.gibbesmuseum.org.

225th Anniversary of the Siege of Charleston
May 13-15 brings a reenactment of the 225th anniversary of the siege of Charleston during the revolutionary war at the public plantations along the Ashley River - Drayton Hall, Magnolia Plantation and Middleton Place. Hundreds of Revolutionary War soldiers will bring to life battles and encampments with reenactments at all three sites. Visit www.revwarcharleston.com.

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum turns 30 this year. The imposing 888 foot aircraft carrier Yorktown is the flagship of the Patriots Point battle group. The destroyer, Laffey, the Coast Guard cutter, Ingham, and the submarine, Clamagore, are also on display along with 25 aircraft, Congressional Medal of Honor Museum and Cold War Submarine memorial. Call 843-884-2727 or visit www.patriotspoint.org.

International Center for Birds of Prey
This unique site houses birds of prey such as hawks, eagles, owls, vultures, as well as rehabilitates injured or sick birds with 50% going back to the wild. Charleston native, Jim Elliott, started the rehab center in his backyard over 10yrs ago. Now, the Center consists of 80 species of birds and offers private group tours with plans of opening an educational center and falconry within the next year. www.internationalbirdsofprey.org, 843-928-3494.

Nature Adventures Kayak & Canoe Outfitters
Naturalist guided tours of Francis Marion National Forest and areas surrounding Charleston. Explore blackwater swamps with thousand year old bald cypress trees, historic rice plantations with acres of wetland wildflowers or journey to salt marshes and barrier islands. Guests will go to the best paddling places in the Lowcountry. Call 843-928-3316 or www.natureadventuresoutfitters.com.

Courtyard by Marriott
The Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Downtown/Riverview has been purchased by JHM Hotels of Greenville, SC. With 179 rooms and nearly 2,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel is perfectly positioned to meet the needs of both business and leisure travelers who want to be located close to Charleston�s Historic District. In October 2003, the company purchased the Charleston Riverview Hotel that is slated to be converted to a Marriott by 2006. Visit www.jhmhotels.com.

Image Limousine and Sedan Service
Image Limousines can service any ground transportation needs. Clients range from the once a year vacation traveler to large corporate customers. All of the vehicles in the fleet are less than 2 yrs. old and well maintained by in-house certified mechanics. Chauffeurs are all equipped with 2 way pagers and radios for speedy service. Image Limousines has been a pioneer in the limousine industry and they guarantee you will be satisfied. Call 843-763-5466 or visit www.imagelimos.net.

Art Moves Jazz
A sensory journey where original artwork and jazz interconnect in a new music hall show. Imagine seeing what a jazz composition would look like if it had physical form � and what artwork might sound like� This synergy is what world-renowned jazz drummer Quentin Baxter and acclaimed artist John Duckworth aim to create with their upcoming show ART MOVES JAZZ. Set to take place at the Charleston Music Hall on May 7th, 2005. Visit www.artmovesjazz.com.

The Charleston Museum

• The Siege of Charleston Exhibit, April 11 � Sept. 5, 2005. This exhibit will commemorate the 225th anniversary of the Siege of Charleston featuring images of period maps and artwork. Visitors will see how British strategy brought their army and navy to the rebellious colony and how South Carolinians responded.
• �Everybody Did Something�: Charleston Remembers World War II Exhibit, May 7, 2005�Feb. 26, 2006. This exhibit�s centered around the recollections and memories of Lowcountry inhabitants, and includes both Museum artifacts and images as well as donated/loaned items from those who lived through the war.
• Second Saturday: Victory! WWII, May 14 from 10am-12pm. Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II with a victory party. Meet World War II vets, hear presentations from staff from Patriots Point, make art from recycled materials, and more.
• Kid Tours, Every Wednesday in June and July at 3:30pm. Kid Tours is a series designed to highlight artifacts that have fascinated children for years. Kid Tours features presentations from museum curators, Education staff, or special guests and includes two craft projects. Call 843-722-2996 or visit www.charlestonmuseum.org.

Reggae Nights at James Island County Park
Sway to the rhythm of live reggae this summer at James Island County Park. Gather the crew, grab a blanket or chair, and dance the night away. The outdoor-evening concert series, �Reggae Nights� gets �irie� all summer long. June 11: Ever-G & The Crew Featuring Irieites, July 16: DKGB, August 20: Jah Works. Call 843-762-8089.

Sweet Dreams by Doubletree
The Charleston Doubletree recently began the new Sweet Dreams by Doubletree bedding program featuring a plush pillow top mattress that�s tripled sheeted with luxurious high thread count linens topped with a down comforter and an abundant supply of jumbo pillows. And the bed isn�t just comfortable, it�s beautiful and inviting with elegant decorative bedcovers, skirting and shams. Now home isn�t the only place to find a good nights sleep. Call 843-577-2644.

Carolina Cultural Connections
Carolina Cultural Connections is a full service Cultural Special Events and Destination Management Company. Anice Carr is a native Charlestonian and former cultural arts director who can provide unlimited resources and services that will make visiting the Charleston area a uniquely personable and memorable experience. Call 843-821-6682.

The Creek Club at I�On
The quintessential Lowcountry option located on the quiet banks of Hobcaw Creek, the Creek Club at I�On has over 5,000 sq. ft. and the deepest porches in the Lowcountry. It is ideal for meetings, weddings, fundraisers, and special events. Complete with a catering kitchen, indoor/outdoor fireplaces, spacious porches, and spectacular marsh views. Call 843-971-7834 or visit www.theionclub.com.

Frampton�s Flowers
Serving Charleston for over 50 years and located in downtown Charleston, Frampton�s Flowers brings a unique European flair to Low Country events. They specialize in providing the best arrangements to corporate functions, hotels, restaurants, and weddings. Call 843-723-3656.

JMC Charleston, LLC
With a successful relationship of incentive, insurance, pharmaceutical and banking clients, we offer destination service assistance specializing in very exclusive tours, venue rentals, and exquisite decor. Guest amenities range from utilitarian to extravagant. The best caterers and having extensive regional culinary knowledge offer guests a true taste of the LowCountry experience. Call 843-577-100 or visit www.jmccharleston.com.

Joseph Photography
Robin Joseph has over fifteen years of photographic experience. Her photographic expertise includes: large conventions, small meetings, award ceremonies, celebrations, weddings, individual and group portraits, and family reunions. Many of her clientele are from the major hotels as well as the most successful event planners in town. Robin Joseph has a reputation for honesty, reliability, and professionalism. Call 843-224-0502 or visit www.josephphotography.com.

Just Married of the Lowcountry
Kisses only linger...Memories last a lifetime. Just Married of the Lowcountry prides itself on building lasting relationships and on the quality of its photography, knowing attention to detail and having a keen eye for the right moment sets us apart from the competition. Available for weddings, events, and portraiture. Call 843-856-0920 or visit www.justmarriedofthelowcountry.com.

Store Creek Plantation
CaroCan Tours introduces the magnificent replica of an 18th century plantation, beautifully situated between the live oaks and Store Creek on Edisto Island. Weddings, Honeymoons, Corporate Events, Vacation Packages and Much More...Once in a lifetime! Call 905-819-9276 or visit www.carocantours.com.

Summer in the Pines
The Summer in the Pines special at Woodland�s Resort & Inn offers guests two nights at the regular resort rate and the third and subsequent nights at half price. The special includes luxurious accommodations, a half-bottle of Pinot Noir or Chardonnay and Woodlands� signature yellow roses, afternoon tea, evening turndown service with house-made cookies, and on-arrival upgrade. Available for stays between June 12 and September 8, 2005. Call 843-875-2600.

Ultimate Charleston Golf Packages
Belvidere Club & Resort is offering guests 2 new packages: The Ultimate Charleston Golf Package � For four guests, package includes three nights of luxury accommodations in a two-bedroom harbor-view cottage, continental breakfast daily, and resort amenity fees; two rounds of golf per person. The Summer Package � For four guests, package includes seven nights of luxury accommodations in a two-bedroom cottage, continental breakfast daily; four rounds of golf per person. Call 843-884-3342.

Southern Golf Tours
Arranging custom golf packages with terrific value has been our business for fourteen years. We give you the attention necessary to ensure a memorable experience. Call us or visit our website to see daily package rates, build your own package or request a customized package quote 843-797-2020 or www.southerngolftours.net.

OpenVision.com
OpenVision.com specializes in search engine optimization (SEO) which includes getting client websites to the top of the search engines. With offices in Hlton Head Island and Charleston, OpenVision.com works with clients primarily in the hospitality/tourism, golf and vacation rental industries. Call 843-785-9911, ext. 15.

CACVB Launches Redesigned Website
The Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau recently debuted its newly redesigned website. The major redesign was driven by two broad objectives: to continue building and enhancing the Charleston �brand� and to make connections between visitors and businesses in the regional travel industry. New technology and database capabilities were utilized to enhance the overall experience. The CVB�s website currently receives approximately 1.4 million visits annually. Visit charlestoncvb.com to see for yourself!

To learn more about the Charleston area, please contact the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 843�853�8000 or 800�868�8118.
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�The mission of the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is to unify and lead the local travel industry in marketing the Charleston area as an individual, meeting, incentive and group destination to both the domestic and international markets.�

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www.charlestoncvb.com
Visitor | Media | Meeting Professionals | Tour Professionals | Travel Council
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Phone/Contacts: 843�853�8000
Chris Nobles, Media Relations Director
Katie Chapman, Media Relations Manager
|Liz Scarborough, Media Relations Assistant|