Known as the "peanut capital of the world," the southeastern Alabama city of Dothan produces one-fourth of the country's crop. Several Dothan event venues – as well as events like the National Peanut Festival – bear witness to the legume's local prominence. Dothan is also home to over 65,000 people and has recently grown in popularity for its convenient location.
Dothan is 18 miles north of the Florida state line and 20 miles west of Georgia, placing it fewer than four hours from popular Southeast destinations of Atlanta, Tallahassee, Mobile and Birmingham. It is served by Dothan Regional Airport (DHN), with service to Southeast Alabama, Southwest Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle through American Southeast Airlines, a Delta subsidiary.
One of the prime convention venues in Dothan is the 20,000-square-foot Dothan Convention Center, which is also one of the largest meeting facilities in the area. It has two main ballrooms: the Grand Royal, accommodating 1,800 guests theater-style or 1,000 guests for banquets; and the Crimson, seating 400 guests theater-style or 200 guests for banquets. The center has two parking lots, on-site catering, audio-visual equipment rentals and more.
Dothan has unconventional meetings and after-hours events covered, too. Special event venues in Dothan abound, from art museums to spacious parks. Located in historic downtown, the Wiregrass Museum of Art is a 100-year-old facility that has several spaces for events, from small conference rooms to a picturesque garden area; the entire museum may also be rented. Landmark Park, a 135-acre park built to preserve the heritage of Alabama's Wiregrass Region, is a scenic spot for large groups that want to take advantage of the Southern sunshine. Its 8,000-square-foot Stokes Activity Barn features historic artifacts and modern comforts such as air conditioning and a commercial caterer's kitchen, while the Playground Pavilion is ideal for company picnics of up to 100 people.
Groups can also enjoy the outdoors at one of Dothan's golf courses. Home to the Press Thornton Future Masters junior golf tournament for over 50 years, the Dothan Country Club combines championship golfing with world-class event space. The Dothan Resort, built upon hot mineral springs, also has an 18-hole championship course and conference facilities for up to 165 people. Dothan is also home to Highland Oaks Golf Course, a stop on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and Golf Digest's seventh-best public course in the U.S.
Groups would be amiss to rule out the dining venues in Dothan as meeting options. Mildred's Restaurant and Tea Room offers quintessential Southern hospitality and customizable tea services complete with fingers sandwiches, scones and salads. Mildred's upper level can accommodate groups of four to 40 for private events. Groups can also bring the Sothern classics to them from one of the many Dothan area caterers. Buttermilk fried chicken, hamburger steak and pork roast with gravy are favorites at The Blue Plate, which offers affordable event catering.
