“We felt like it would be a great thing, a win-win for those that would be bringing their corporate meeting, their association group or even their social group to participate in a structured voluntourism program,” says Susan Thomas, the bureau’s vice president.

Projects, which last from two hours up to a full day, are set up through the local United Way and include getting your hands dirty with Habitat for Humanity or spending time at the local Boys and Girls Club. Itineraries can be customized to include transportation, a T-shirt with the HHI Difference, United Way and organization logos on it, and a boxed lunch.

“We wanted to make it easy for both the meeting planner and the participant,” Thomas says. “Another thing is that it’s a great team-building experience. They build camaraderie with each other and they can bring something home that is an experience that made a difference in people’s lives.” For itineraries and additional information, visit hiltonheadisland.org.

Other voluntourism opportunities around the country:

New Orleans CVB

Seattle CVB

Idaho Department of Commerce

Tuscon & Southern Arizona

Colorado Tourism

Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB

The Norfolk Virginia CVB

The Philadelphia CVB

Tourism Vancouver

By Marc Boisclair

Four states, four seasons and half-million square miles of every type of terrain imaginable — that’s the incredibly diverse and beautiful Southwest. While most regions mean well promising something for every attendee, the Southwest actually delivers. Need an urban gem with major hotels, cool event venues, rockin’ entertainment and a cutting-edge convention center? Try Phoenix, Dallas, Tulsa or San Antonio. Looking for second-tier value and first-rate activities? Book your group into Amarillo, Austin, Albuquerque, Frisco, Odessa, Scottsdale or Oklahoma City and take full advantage of their terrific museums, restaurants, great shopping and entertaining nightlife.

Few destinations rival the Southwest for group attractions, recreation and team-building opportunities as well. Hiking, biking, theme parks and sporting events — it’s all here and much more. Then there’s the sheer pleasure of packing up the kids (i.e., attendees) and a nice lunch and heading out to enjoy some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. After all, when it comes to memorable photo ops and real group bonding, it’s hard to beat 100 smiling faces at the edge of the Grand Canyon.

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Destination Q&A

New Jersey native Linda Atkins, director of convention services for the Austin CVB, is now a Texan to the core. She shares the inside scoop on the Texas capital.

What is it about Austin that charms attendees?

It’s the unexpected. People have a preconceived notion that Texas is dry and flat and full of tumbleweed. Austin is green and has rolling hills and trees, and that surprises people.

And from a planner’s perspective?

Many groups feel that they can be the convention when they hold a meeting here, instead of just one of many groups. We’re considered a second-tier city but we’re growing, and we compete against a lot of the first-tiers cities for business. We’re just an hour up the road from San Antonio, which is known on an international scale as a premier convention destination. But as more of those planners hear about Austin they’re thinking, “Let’s check this city out, too.”

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the last five years?

After we expanded the convention center and Hilton in 2002 we were able to handle much larger conventions. So we’re going after a much different market now and are able to attract more national and international groups. We think we’ve got a nice appeal for them, especially with our weather. Our winters are mild and you don’t have to deal with cold and snowstorms.

Attendees seem to love Austin’s downtown.

The whole downtown area has about 5,500 rooms and that’s a nice package. Also, it’s a real safe and accessible downtown, with most hotels just a step from the convention center. You can walk from your hotel to great shopping, dining and our entertainment districts. You don’t have to worry about entertaining attendees every evening. You can allow them to experience the city as they choose.

Planners love discovering — and booking — cool venues. What does Austin offer?

We’ve got some great venues in or near downtown, like the Texas State History Museum, that work well with larger groups, from 100-1,500. We have the brand new Long Center for the Performing Arts, with ballet, opera, symphony, just like any major city. It’s a spectacular venue, overlooks the water and is adjacent to downtown in a pretty setting.

Austin has a thing about music, it seems.

We’re known for our music scene, and we have a pretty good mix of entertainment options. Austin Music Hall has been totally rebuilt and is a good spot for groups to hold events. There are lots of other big music venues as well, as well as several smaller, more intimate places.

And are they part of a bigger entertainment area?

There are a number of areas like the Warehouse District and Second Street where groups can go at night for fun. These were old warehouses that were just sitting there unused, and then they got fixed up for music and retail and restaurants.

What are the neighborhoods like in and around Austin?

The city proper is very central with a lot of neighborhoods around it. Just a mile south of downtown is South Congress, a little strip of shops and restaurants, right in the middle of a neighborhood, that’s been restored and renovated. It’s a fun little niche worth discovering. The West End is another fun neighborhood, as is East 6th Street, an area that’s been under renovation with great galleries, retail and restaurants. All these area are close by, just a quick cab or pedicab ride.

You mentioned that Austin is into pedicabs?

They’re everywhere and we love it!

NEARBY

Arizona’s best kept secret may be its remotely beautiful southeastern corner. Tiny Tubac, tucked away an hour south of Tucson off I-19, brims with cool craft shops and galleries. Just a fairway shot away, the Tubac Golf Resort & Spa, is a cozy, historic hideaway set on a three-acre oasis (formerly a family-run ranch) long popular with celebrities and politicians. The nearby rolling hills are ideal for cycling and wine making, with thriving vineyards dotting the backroads around Sonoita and Patagonia. Tombstone’s cheeky Old West shows still draw crowds, while the ride south across the rugged Sonoran desert to Bisbee brings a stark beauty all its own. This mile-high former mining town features winding streets lined in art galleries, antique shops, pubs and cafes, plus the breathtaking Lavender Pit Mine. tubacaz.com

PLANNER BUZZ

Discovering Santa Fe might best be termed an “awed at first sight” experience. This quaint, quintessentially New Mexican town, nestled 7,000 feet up in the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains, fits comfortably across the group travel spectrum, anchored by cozy hotels, first-rate restaurants, and memorable shopping, notably the art, rugs and jewelry offered in and around the bustling central plaza. Among the must-stops: the wondrous Georgia O’Keefe Museum; Ten Thousand Waves, a mountainside, Japanese-style spa; and Maria’s for its tasty New Mexican fare and eye-popping margarita menu. santafe.org

VALUE ADD

The Amarillo Convention and Visitor Council will provide plastic tote bags, Amarillo “Boot” pins, local attraction brochures and maps, name badges and other gifts for your meeting. visitamarillotx.com

Visit Frisco’s online RFP service helps you find the best hotel rates and availability, and you only receive proposals from the hotels that you choose. visitfrisco.com

The Odessa CVB helps with staffing assistance, on-site registration, custom name badges and a local dignitary for an opening ceremony. odessacvb.com

The Beaumont CVB’s Fun Book of Savings features discounts to museums, restaurants and more. beaumontcvb.com

Special Places

• Kimo Theatre
• Stone Bluff Cellars
• Moab, Utah and Arches National Park