Business Events—Your Questions, Answered

Throughout 2020, Kiawah Island Golf Resort has hosted group meetings and events on-site—safely and successfully. To help you plan your next face-to-face business event, our sales professionals have compiled a list of our clients’ most-asked questions—along with the answers you need right now:

Q: How is your property maintaining guest service standards and keeping everyone safe at the same time?
A: Kiawah Island Golf Resort has partnered with professionals at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) to serve as an advisory council that guides our actions to ensure the well-being of our guests and employees. Our commitment includes increasing and monitoring already stringent policies regarding overall sanitization, frequency of cleaning and food safety throughout the Resort.

In addition, we are adhering to the protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) and the South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (SCRLA). Understanding that each guest’s comfort level varies, we continue to exceed expectations while maintaining a safe environment for all.

Q: Do you offer rapid testing on-site for my attendees?
A: We currently do not, but we are able to connect you with MUSC to facilitate such testing (at an additional cost).

Q: What is the face mask policy for the local area? Does it pertain to meeting space that is being rented?
A: The town of Kiawah has issued an ordinance which requires a face covering to be worn in all public indoor venues and crowded outdoor areas (i.e., sidewalks and boardwalks).

Q: How are you handling catering (i.e., buffets, plated meals, passed hors d’oeuvres, etc.)? What protocols are in place for food prep and service?
A: Our F&B team has implemented a comprehensive plan to ensure your attendees’ health and safety. This plan covers every detail—from surface sanitization measures, catering staff hygiene and daily health screenings to room and service setups, social distancing and capacity limitations. We strive to customize the experience to meet individual client needs and concerns.

Q: Do you have outdoor spaces available for group dining events and breakout sessions?
A: Yes. Kiawah Island is a beautiful nature preserve and has always boasted a number of blue and green spaces ideal for unique group gatherings. The Sanctuary has multiple indoor spaces with outdoor elements for seamless attendee transitions from general sessions into breakouts. One example includes the Grand Oaks Ballroom, which opens onto the Grand Oaks Garden and is in close proximity to the new Chapel Courtyard. We can even host an open-air meeting complete with audio visual support at Mingo Point, our outdoor venue on the Kiawah River. Flexible setups for a screen and stage with podium can be arranged under the covered pavilion, with flaps that can be pulled down on the side to abate wind or sun glare. We can also create unique seating setups that begin under the pavilion and extend beyond the covered area for an unforgettable environment canopied by oaks and Spanish moss to immerse your attendees in our unspoiled surroundings. 

Q: Do you think virtual events are here to stay? How can your Resort assist in making our first hybrid meeting a success?
A: We foresee certain group programs remaining virtual into the future. Examples include internal meetings for companies that do not plan to go back to a traditional office setting, as well as continuing education/training programs. For groups that wish to move forward with a hybrid meeting component, we have already successfully hosted several such events. Our audio visual partners and conference service team have developed a meeting package to provide all necessary tools and support to deliver your live meeting to your virtual attendees. Not only can the virtual attendees take part in the same meeting content being hosted on-site, but they can even join in some of the fun, as we offer virtual experiences from our chef’s table and our Five-Star spa.