Attendee Experience

About Charleston

Charleston, South Carolina, known for its rich history, well-preserved architecture, and vibrant cultural scene, is a major tourist destination. Nestled on the southeastern coast, Charleston is famed for its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and pastel historic houses, particularly in the elegant French Quarter and Battery districts.

Getting Around

Rideshares: Ubers and Lyfts are readily available throughout Charleston and can be a convenient way to travel around the city, especially in the evening.

Public Transit: The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) provides bus services throughout the city and surrounding areas. The DASH Trolley is a free service that runs through downtown Charleston, offering a convenient way to see many of the city's main attractions.

Biking: Charleston is a bike-friendly city with several rental options available. Bike lanes and bike paths are common, particularly in downtown areas.

Walking: Charleston is highly walkable, especially in the historic downtown area. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as many streets are paved with cobblestones. It takes about 20-30 minutes to walk from one end of downtown to the other.

Important Tips

Historic District: Many of Charleston’s historic buildings and homes are open to the public for tours. Be sure to check the visiting hours as they can vary.

Public Restrooms: Free public-use restrooms are not abundant in Charleston, so it's best to plan ahead. Restrooms are available in most restaurants, bars, and attractions for paying customers.

Ticketed Events

SCORE Oyster Reef Build  |  Monday, April 28, 2025  |  $25.00

Join us in the marsh for an Oyster Reef Build! NAEP has partnered with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and the South Carolina Oyster Recycling and Enhancement (SCORE) program, to offer an opportunity for you to help enhance the marsh in Charleston, SC. SCORE is a program within SCDNR that bags recycled oyster shells and uses those to create oyster reefs along SC coast. The reefs provide habitat for numerous species and help prevent erosion in the marshes. It's dirty and wet work with lots of moving and lifting, but it is a ton of fun!

SCORE is a grant-based program, so the fees associated with this field trip will be donated to SCORE.

Space is limited to 30 people, so register early to guarantee a spot! SC folks – The SC Chapter will schedule a SC Chapter Oyster Reef Build event in Summer 2025 so we can prioritize out of state participation for the national conference.

SCDNR will provide an introduction of their program at the docks and discuss the variety of oyster restorations sites at Brittle Bank Park. Then we will board the boats, and head upstream on the Ashley River to Oldtown Creek (approximately 2.25-miles). We’ll stop along Oldtown Creek to get a workout by transferring oyster bags from the trailer to the boats. After this stop, we’ll continue upstream to pass by the Adventure, Charleston's only 17th-century replica sailing ship, and some additional oyster restoration sites on our way to the worksite. Then we’ll unload all the oyster bags and build the reef - this is the muddy part! Once the reef is secure, we’ll get back on the boats and head back to the dock.

**Required**
Closed toe shoes that attach securely to your foot (no crocs). Moving and lifting up to 50lbs bags will be involved. Please bring a refillable water bottle. When packing, be sure to bring clothes and shoes that can get muddy and wet, and a plastic bag to store your clothes when you travel back home.

Details

• Meet at the dock at 1:00 PM
• Return to the dock at approximately 4:30 PM
• Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours.
• Brittle Bank Park Dock
  185 Lockwood Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
• Walking distance: Behind the Charleston Marriott across Lockwood Drive. After crossing Lockwood Drive head left towards the marina. Look for the dragon boats

President's Reception |  Charleston SpiritLine Cruise  |  Tuesday, April 29, 2025  |  $25.00

Set sail with us at the President’s Reception aboard the Charleston SpiritLine Cruise! Enjoy the charm of Charleston’s beautiful waterways with hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, and round-trip transportation from the conference hotel included. This is the perfect opportunity to network, relax, and enjoy the stunning views with colleagues and friends.

Details

• Tuesday, April 29, 2025
  
• Bus Pick-Up: 5:30 PM
• Cruise Boarding: 6:00 PM
• Return to Dock: 9:00 PM
• Bus Drop Off: 9:30 PM

Fort Sumter Field Trip |  Thursday, May 1, 2025  |  $60.00

Join NAEP on our cruise across Charleston Harbor to Fort Sumter, which holds an important place in America’s history.

On 12 April 1861, the opening salvo of the Civil War was fired into Fort Sumter by Confederate forces led by Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard.  After trading fire for almost 36 hours, the vastly outnumbered Union soldiers, led by Major Robert Anderson, surrendered.  The battle’s only casualty followed the Union’s surrender, when a round exploded prematurely during the 100-gun salute.  The Confederacy held Fort Sumter for the balance of the Civil War, until Confederate forces evacuated Charleston on the evening of 17 February 1865.  

In addition to the ferry ride and admission to Fort Sumter, NAEP will provide ground transportation between the conference location the ferry dock.  No private boats are permitted to dock at Fort Sumter.

Details
Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025
Time: TBD
Duration: Approx. 3.5 hours

Dine Arounds

We are thrilled to offer dine-arounds to our attendees to enhance your conference experience. Savor an extra networking opportunity to get to know one another outside of a conference setting. Choose one or two of the amazing local Charleston restaurants you want to check out, sign up, and get to know your fellow attendees while you enjoy delicious food. Who knows? You might find you have more in common than just your great taste in food and associations.

You may sign up for one restaurant each day after registering for the conference. While it is free to sign up, please note that you are responsible for the cost of your own food and beverage.

Sign Up Now

More restaurants are being booked, so stay tuned for updates!