We Want to Host Your Wedding

Here at the Rainwater Conference Center, we have multiple packages available for couples and allow you to your arrange the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception at one location. The bride can also plan her bridal shower party with us as well.

Our architecture, cypress pond, and panoramic scenery turns this place into a wedding venue of everyone’s dreams.

Most wedding ceremonies are conducted out on the veranda, which overlooks the fabulous cypress pond. This allows the wedding to be more personal and intimate, but not crowded or overwhelming.

While guests are waiting for the couple to finish with pictures, they can explore the grounds and capture some pictures of their own. Afterwards, everyone can enter the banquet hall for the elegant wedding reception. The tables are filled with centerpieces and twinkling lights and couples can even choose to have ice statues created for their special day.

Contact us 229.219.4405 to discuss your special day. We look forward to speaking with you or use our online Request for Quote form.

But don’t take our word for it here from someone who has had their bridal party here!

“The conference center is right off the highway, but you would never know it. An ideal destination for events with guests from all over the Southeast. The building has been placed so that there is no traffic noise and all you see if the beautiful little lake and Cypress trees. Great breeze and the patio was perfect for our ceremony – even in August! The staff is beyond accommodating with pre-event decorations, menu options, etc. Super attentive to our guests as well. The food was great, nothing out of this world, but much better than most buffets – especially for the price! The ballroom is not fancy by any means, but with the right decorations and fabric walls, it was absolutely perfect – and unique! The added bonus is that there are two hotels within 100 steps of the conference center so there is no need to worry about guests drinking and driving. From the first day we toured the facility to post event cleanup, my entire bridal party and all of our guests had nothing but good things to say about this location and the staff. One of our guests has even started planning her own event there!” ~Wendy H.

*Via The Knot

Top 6 Reasons to Have Your Wedding at the Rainwater Conference Center

A wedding is supposed to be a wonderful occasion for the bride, the groom, family members, and friends, which is why it is very important to hold it in a location where everything can be perfect. Here at the Rainwater Conference Center, we have been working tirelessly since 2000, to ensure that every wedding party has had their dreams come true on not only their wedding day, but also on the days of their wedding rehearsals and bridal showers.

Here are the top 6 reasons to have your wedding at the Rainwater Conference Center:

1) Beautiful Surroundings

Every bride wants her wedding in a beautiful location and the Rainwater Conference Center’s cypress pond fits that perfectly! The entire wedding ceremony can take place next to the pond with the “I Do’s” taking place near the water. Brides can also choose to say “I Do” out on the veranda, which also looks out over the pond, but in a more intimate setting.

2) Customization

Everyone bride and groom wants their wedding day to be special and filled with what they want, not what other people have had in the past. The staff here understands that each couple is different and each one has their own dreams and desires for their perfect wedding day. That is why everyone at the Rainwater Conference Center works hard with every couple to create the perfect menu, décor, cake, and any extras like ice statues and intricate colored lighting.

3) Convenience

Families and friends can travel for miles to attend weddings, and the Rainwater Conference Center offers them numerous affordable hotel rooms within a very short distance. There are also many different restaurants, shopping areas, and attractions close by as well, so no guest will need to worry about what they will do during the days before or after the wedding ceremony. They can spend time at Wild Adventures Amusement Park, walk around Downtown Valdosta, or explore Freedom Park during their free time.

4) Cuisine Choices

Couples will get to work with one of the amazing chefs at the Rainwater Conference Center as they choose which menus will work best for their big day. There are plenty of options available, including sit-down dinners and buffets, so everyone will find something in their price range. Our chef will even suggest specific wines and cocktails to go with the meals that the couple chooses.

5) Numerous Wedding Packages

When couples plan their ceremony and reception at the Rainwater Conference Center, they will qualify for wedding packages. Our staff can help the couples go through the specifics all the packages, but some of them have perks that include complimentary dressing rooms for the bride and the groom. There are additional discounts offered if couples also book their rehearsal dinner and bridal shower at the Rainwater.

6) Multiple Activities in One Location

Instead of booking a bridal shower in one location, the rehearsal dinner in another, the ceremony somewhere else, and then the reception at yet another location, the Rainwater Conference Center makes it simple. We know that weddings can be stressful and a lot of work, which is why we want to make it as easy as possible by doing as much of the work for the couples as we can. By allowing couples to book all their events with us, we are making sure that they have one contact person for everything. That means less phone calls, less to-do lists, and less things being forgotten about or lost in the shuffle of all the wedding planning. It also makes it easier, because our staff gets to know the bride and the groom really well. Therefore, they can anticipate questions before they are asked and problems before they even arise, making the wedding planning go even smoother.

Here are the Rainwater Conference Center, we can do any type of wedding ceremony. Whether couples are looking for low-key or full out glamorous, they will find that we can help them achieve their wedding day dreams. Our goal has always been to give our brides and grooms the perfect wedding day that they will remember for the rest of their lives and we will continue to work hard to do that in the future. We look forward to working with all our brides and grooms this year and can’t wait to see what special requests we receive from them! We love watching as their dreams come true!

2018 Youth Football Coaching Clinic

football valdosta

The Rainwater Conference Center will be hosting a Youth Football Coaching Clinic in June.

The clinic will be for any youth football coaches.

When: Saturday, June 23rd

Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Link: For more information and to sign up, please visit the website here.

 

The Benefits of Hosting Your Event in One Location

The professional staff at the Rainwater Conference Center is prepared for any type of event and they are ready to help anyone make plans. When this conference center was opened in 2000, it fulfilled a need within Valdosta, because the city is the perfect place for weddings, parties, banquets, and meetings.

Events can be held for a single day or they can be planned for multiple days in a row. The staff makes it simple for anyone to plan, because they know exactly what questions need to be asked. One of the first questions that a staff member would ask is how the room should be setup. They can turn their rooms into a theater, banquet area, classroom setting, trade show, and even make it look dazzling for a wedding or social gathering.

The staff then goes over all the rest of the small details from the equipment needed, tables and chairs with seating arrangements, catering, and a bar if it is required. The person who is having the event simply needs to answer these questions and the work will begin to make the day or days of the event happen perfectly.

Of course, when there is a large event taking place, many people arrive from out of town. The professional staff at Rainwater will even take care of finding reasonable hotel rates for rooms that are close by the conference center. This ensures that everyone arriving will be staying in a good location for the event and with people that they know, instead of twenty or thirty miles away out in the boonies, because they knew nothing about the area.

It is the small details like that that turn the Rainwater Conference Center into a fabulous place and the main reason why it is becoming more popular with each passing year. A host or hostess will find themselves relieved that they will not need to worry about these small details, especially since they will be busy with other items on their list to ensure that their event is wonderful.

Anyone that is planning an event at any time in the future will want to visit the Rainwater Conference Center and see how the space will work for their needs. Everyone will be pleasantly surprised once they see how these rooms can be changed to look amazing, even for something as beautiful as a wedding.

Every event that has been held at the Rainwater Conference Center in the past has been spectacular and that will not change in the future, because they continue to strive to make sure that their hosts and guests have their every need met throughout the event.

Rainwater Conference Center to Host Job Fair

job fair

The Rainwater Conference Center will be hosting a job fair that will be open to the public.

Where: Rainwater Conference Center, 1 Meeting PL, Valdosta.

When: Thursday, April 26, 2018.

Time: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

What: What: The South Georgia Coalition for Employment, a coalition consisting of the Valdosta Police Department, City of Valdosta, Georgia Department of Community Supervision, the Valdosta/Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, “Never Too Late Program” of Lowndes/Valdosta Commission for Children and Youth , Paxen Learning Services, LLC, Telamon Corporation, Wiregrass Technical College, Georgia Department of Labor, Goodwill Industries, South Georgia Regional Library System, Project Hope, Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta, and the Valdosta Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), have come together to assist unemployed citizens in South Georgia to find a job.

Top 9 Things to Do in Valdosta

Top 9 Things to Do in Valdosta

Valdosta is on the southern border of the state of Georgia and it is filled with adventure, nature, and beautiful azaleas. The azaleas can be found just about anywhere and they thrive in the fantastic Georgia weather!

Here are the top 9 things to do while in Valdosta:

1. Peach State Summer Theatre

Every year since 1990, the Peach State Summer Theatre has presented musicals for all to see. The season lasts for ten weeks and during that time, they present three different musicals. During this season, sixty people will help bring Shrek the Musical, Forever Plaid, and My Fair Lady alive on the stage for audiences to enjoy.

2. Turner Center for the Arts

Every art lover will need to visit the 17,000 square feet of space inside the Turner Center for the Arts building. There are six galleries in total and they show both old and new regional and international works of art. Included in the permanent exhibits are East African art and European porcelains. There are thirty different exhibits displayed every year and they are rotated out to ensure that people are always seeing something new when they visit.

3. South Georgia Pecan Company

Business began at the South Georgia Pecan Company back in 1913 and they now have four plants located within a one-and-a-half-mile radius in Valdosta. Each plant does something different including cleaning in-shell pecans, shelling pecans, packaging, and grinding. People can stop in and purchase nuts and other items from the gift shop during their visit.

4. Grand Bay Wetland Education Center

Animal lovers will love this educational center, but the best part of the entire place is the fifty-four-foot tower. People can go to the top of the tower to see spectacular views of the surrounding area. There is also a half mile boardwalk for people to stroll along in between their time in the tower and education center.

5. Freedom Park

Outdoor enthusiasts always find themselves somewhere in the middle of Freedom Park, because there is always something going on there. There are eight baseball fields, multiple soccer fields, a disc golf course, and a playground and each one is waiting for a group of people to arrive and start playing. There are also tournaments in these areas and people are encouraged to stop by to watch all the fun and excitement. In addition to the sporting events, there are hiking and walking trails that people can walk along either by themselves or with family and friends. Dog owners have fallen in love with the large dog park, especially since it has sections for both large and small types of dogs.

6. Lowndes County Historical Society and Museum

The history of Valdosta comes alive in this 10,000-square foot building and people are encouraged to take their time as they look at photographs and documents from the past to the present. In addition to all of that, there is also a large library that is filled with government documents, genealogy records, and books waiting for someone to come in to do some research.

7. The Crescent

The Crescent was built in 1898 by William S. Nest. The building has twenty-three rooms and has been part of the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. This is where many of the local garden clubs meet and there are numerous events like flower shows and antiques sales held there every year. The landscaped gardens are perfect for parties and weddings, so people should be prepared to be quiet while wandering around if a special event is happening.

8. The Barber-Pittman House

The Barber-Pittman House can be found on North Ashley Street and it was built in 1915 for E. R. Barber. Mr. Barber was the first Coca-Cola bottler outside of Atlanta and he was also an inventor. Upon his death, the house went to his daughter Ola, and she did everything in her power to keep the house from being demolished and replaced with a parking lot. In 1977, she left her house to the citizens of Valdosta with explicit instructions of how it was to be used. This house can never be controlled by the government or sold and if anyone tries to do so, it automatically reverts to her estate.

9. Wild Adventures Theme Park

No one can ever forget to mention the Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta and people love to visit there to go on the rides, see the animals, and watch the shows. New for this year is an expanded water park and even more animals. There are many special events planned for the season including two days of BBQ Country and the Stars of Wrestling.

Valdosta has so much to do and there is always something happening in the city. It is best if people make a list of what they want to do and then put it in the order of importance to them, so that they can see at least the top items on their list while they are visiting.

3 Reasons To Host Your Event With Us!

3 Reasons To Host Your Event With Us!

Charisma – convenience – customization

1) Charisma

Valdosta is home to our James H. Rainwater Conference Center with its majestic cypress lake as its signature feature. The surrounding city is a blend of rich southern heritage with charm, hospitality and character, creating the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable meeting. When planning your next business meeting, educational seminar, or fun festival, look to South Georgia, look to the Rainwater Conference Center.

Activities abound with Wild Adventures Amusement Park, the Valdosta Wake Compound, golf and much more. Visit Raisin’ Cane to “experience agriculture” by touring a real working farm, a produce market and Agri-tourism business, children can learn where their food comes from.

Downtown is eclectic and vibrant with boutiques, art venues and dining, appealing to all tastes. Valdosta’s central location is perfect for daytrips to Jacksonville, Tallahassee and Georgia’s coastal islands like St. Simon and Jekyll. Visit the Okefenokee Swamp Park which introduces you to unique plant species, rare birds and the opportunity to learn about ancient Okefenokee cultures.

2) Convenience

Valdosta is the heart of South Georgia along the well traversed I-75 corridor, the half-way marker between Orlando and Atlanta. Take the scenic drive (230 miles from ATL) or fly direct daily commercial flights to and from Atlanta. The perks of the destination and the James H. Rainwater Conference Center as a meeting venue are one-stop convenience, complimentary parking, with hotels that offer an inclusive breakfast meal with stay. Surrounding the Conference Center are over 4,000 affordable hotel and motel rooms, along with abundant restaurant and shopping options. Hotel packages upon request. Pet friendly accommodations available.

3) Customization

Detailing is the key to any event’s success. Our well trained conference staff will assist you in tailoring your event specifications. Additionally we offer free Wi-Fi, and assistance with planning the entire visit not just the core meeting. The conference center boasts 33,000 square feet of versatile column free meeting space, creative sets, specialty lighting and spacious pre-function areas which create just the right ambiance for your event. Let’s not forget the lovely covered Veranda, seating 200 guests and offering the vista of the lake.

The Rainwater Conference Center is committed to making your job as the meeting planner easier and your meeting seamless. We focus on you, so you can focus on your event!

Request a free quote today! ->> http://rainwaterconferencecenter.com/rainwater2016/request-for-quote/

Father Daughter Dance Tickets

What: 22nd Annual FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE

When: February 9th & 10th, 2018

Location: 1 MEETING PLACE, VALDOSTA, GA 31601 (Rainwater Conference Center)

Tickets are $15 per person and available online at www.fatherdaughterdance.org.

The dance dates will be Friday, Feb. 9, and Saturday, Feb. 10. There will be four sessions: 6-8 p.m. or 9-11 p.m. on either night.

This event is one of the largest father daughter dances in the nation!

Top 5 Things to do in Valdosta

The weather might not be that warm, but that should never stop anyone from exploring the beautiful sights of Valdosta while visiting the Rainwater Conference Center.  At least the area isn’t buried under a ton of snow like other regions of the country like Erie, Pennsylvania, or parts of New York State!  Everyone who visits Valdosta can still get outside as long as they bundle up and add another layer or two to stay warm.

Here are the top 5 things to do in Valdosta right now:

1) Visit Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area

The Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area has 8,700 acres that is open year-round for recreational use.  Visitors can spend time there hiking, fishing, canoeing, and even camping.  All these activities can be done at any time of the year except during hunting season.  At that time, certain activities are either discontinued or people are encouraged to wear orange vests so that the hunters can see them.  Throughout hunting season, hunters can hunt deer, turkey, small game, alligators, and waterfowl.  When hunting season is not in progress, this is the best area to go and watch wildlife.  People can simply go and hike the trails and see tons of wildlife in their natural habitats. 

2) Discover Valdosta’s Historic Districts

Anyone that doesn’t love the cooler weather will love the idea of riding in their car as they drive along on Valdosta’s Historic Driving Tour.  This driving tour will take people past more than fifty historic buildings in Valdosta’s National Registered Historic Districts.  This driving tour is self-guided, and the maps are available at the Valdosta/Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Some of the places that people will see include the Barber-Pittman House, the Carnegie Library of Valdosta, The Crescent, Dasher High School, Lowndes County Courthouse, Sunset Hill Cemetery, and the Valdosta Commercial Historic District.  

3) Visit the Sites Where Famous Movies Were Filmed

Valdosta may be known for railroads, pecans, plantations, and college students, but it is also where numerous famous movies have been filmed.  People can still go to these locations and take a selfie in the spot where famous actors once stood.  A few of the more popular ones include:

  • Zombieland was filmed at Wild Adventures Theme Park
  • As Summers Die (starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Scott Glenn, and Bette Davis) was filmed at the Converse-Dalton House
  • The aforementioned movie was also filmed at The Crescent and the Brooks County Courthouse
  • Grandma’s Blessings was filmed at the Mathis Municipal Auditorium
  • Okefenokee Swamp was used in numerous movies including Swamp Water, Lure of the Wilderness, and Gator.   

4) Historic Walking Tour of Downtown Valdosta

One of the best ways for anyone to see and experience the downtown Valdosta area is to take a walking tour.  These tours are free, as long as a person does them as self-guided and prints a map off from online.  People will pass by three different types of architectural style buildings including Victorian, Eclectic, and Modernistic.  There are fifteen buildings included on the walking tour, and people will be able to read a description of each one, as it is included on the map.  

As people are completing their walking tour, they will be able to go shopping in the numerous shops in the downtown Valdosta area or they can choose to dine in one of the many restaurants.  There are so many options available downtown and people will find that they can spend hours in this one area.

5) Lowndes County Historical Society and Museum

To learn even more about Valdosta, people will want to visit the Lowndes County Historical Society and Museum.  The museum has approximately ten thousand square feet of space and it is full of photos, documents, books, and genealogy records.  This museum was founded in 1967 and visitors can explore outdoor exhibits in addition to the indoor ones.  Behind the museum, people will find a train caboose, the old Valdosta Institute school bell, an old-fashioned log transport cart, an original ecosystem and historical garden plants, and Gypsy the Elephant.  

Cooler weather should not stop anyone from visiting the Valdosta area or enjoying themselves.  There is still plenty of fun and exciting things to do and see while in Valdosta, even if it is a little chillier than normal.  And, what is even better is that the sun will still be shining, so that will make everything better than ever.  

Special Occasions that are Perfect for the Rainwater Conference Center During the Holiday Season

Special occasions are held every month of the year, but they really seem to be plentiful during the holiday season.  Families and friends want to gather to celebrate, while businesses are trying to find ways to show their appreciation to their employees.  No matter what occasion a person wants to celebrate, the Rainwater Conference Center is the perfect place to hold it.

Here are three special occasions that are perfect for the Rainwater Conference Center during the holiday season:

  1. Weddings

Many brides dream of a holiday wedding, where a winter wonderland surrounds them, and this is possible at the Rainwater Conference Center.  Brides and grooms should envision glittering lights amongst all the shimmering white if they are dreaming of that type of wedding, but that would not be their only choice.  They can also choose glimmering silvers and golds, or they can go more traditional with reds or greens.  The possibilities are endless as are the options for food and drinks.  Each wedding at the Rainwater is unique and the staff ensures that every couple can create the wedding of their dreams.

  1. Company Holiday Parties

Companies are always looking for places to hold their holiday office parties and the Rainwater Conference Center is the perfect spot.  These gatherings can be for small or large crowds and they can be customized to the needs of the business.  These parties can be held in the afternoon as a casual affair or they can be slightly more elegant during the evening hours.  When it comes to the food, it can be simply hors d’oeuvres or it can be more complete with a buffet or sit-down dinner.

  1. Family Gatherings

Families love getting together around the holidays to spend time together and have fun.  Sometimes, this is the only time that people can see each other, so no one really wants to spend all their time taking care of their guests.  That is why these family gatherings should be held at the Rainwater Conference Center.  Families can reserve a space that will fit their needs and then let the staff know exactly what they want.  The staff will take care of all the details and every family member can spend their time talking, laughing, and catching up on the events of the year.  That is much better than getting a space ready for a party, preparing the food, and cleaning up afterwards!

There are so many other possibilities for uses at the Rainwater Conference Center.  If anyone has an idea of an event that they want to hold during the holidays or any other time of the year, they will want to call the Rainwater Conference Center to see how amazing their event can be if they held it there.