Lakewood Camping Resort Announces Conference Center

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.--Sept. 3, 2003--Lakewood Camping Resort, an ocean-front camping resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, announces the opening of Lakewood Conference Center, a full-service meetings and events venue.

The 8,000 square foot center is scheduled to host business meetings, trade shows, conferences, seminars, reunions, receptions and banquets throughout the year. Located on Business 17, between Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach, the Conference Center will offer full catering and a wide variety of meeting configurations, both inside and outside, with four events already scheduled for the Fall of 2003. Prices for events start at $25/person and include free camping.

-- October 3, 4 and 5, the First Annual Beach Gospel Weekend kicks off Lakewood's meetings and events calendar with four concerts, from renowned groups Adoration, The Spears, The Humphries and Mystery Men.

-- The Fall Youth Jam follows, on October 31 and November 1 and 2, featuring the Pepsi Reception, bonfire social and a slate of Christian bands at a popular Saturday lock-in.

-- The American Heart Association Ride-A-thon comes to Lakewood November 5 - 9, bringing hundreds of horses and riders to the oceanfront in one of South Carolina's top traditional Fall events.

-- The Ninth Annual Crafting & Camping Festival will return to Lakewood November 21, 22 & 23, with one of the area's largest outdoor arts & crafts festivals, featuring hundreds of southern vendors.

According to Lakewood's President, Don Perry, meetings planners are constantly looking for unique settings for their retreats. "The fact that we are primarily an outdoor resort is very appealing to people seeking a relaxed, inspiring setting. This resort's beauty is incomparable, not to mention the other, complementary facilities we have to enhance the meeting experience". Lakewood Camping Resort also features an 800-seat outdoor amphitheater and oceanfront meeting space.

The meetings and convention business accounts for more than 200 million dollars in revenue in the Myrtle Beach Area, with the bulk of the business coming from traditional Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states. The meetings segment of the tourism industry is among the fastest growing, due to the abundant variety of recreational activities available in the Myrtle Beach Area, including attractions, live entertainment, golf, shopping and history.

Lakewood Camping Resort, family-owned and operated for 40 years, features 1,900 campsites on 175 acres, and is among an elite few camping resorts to win the prestigious RV Resort Of The Year. In addition to its oceanside setting, the resort boasts 5 stocked freshwater lakes, Olympic size pool, playgrounds and arcades, volleyball and basketball courts, golf cart and bike rentals, on-site food service, modern two- and three-bedroom villas, and a live entertainment amphitheater, which hosts the resort's famous production of "High Steppin' Country", celebrating its 28th season.

For more information, call 1-877-LAKEWOOD, or visit Lakewood's website at www.lakewoodcampground.com.