#STEOconeeCoSC

Melody Pittman and Taylor Hardy warmly invite you to their 6th annual Southern Travelers Explore Conference in Seneca, South Carolina.

Affectionately known as #STEOconeeCoSC, this is not just a conference—it's an educational "vacation" that offers an authentic Southern experience. Travel writers, CVBs, and DMOs will gather in picturesque Oconee County for enriching sessions, intimate group discussions, and a face-to-face marketplace. All this while also discovering some of the area's hidden gems.

During our time together, we'll enhance our skills, refresh our knowledge, and gain insights from expert presenters. This conference is a wonderful opportunity to forge meaningful friendships as you mingle with both destinations and fellow travel content creators and writers. The Sunday marketplace trade show, in particular, offers the perfect setting to build relationships that can last a lifetime.

Highlights:

• Educational Sessions: Gain fresh insights and refine your skills with expert-led talks tailored to our industry.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow travel enthusiasts and industry professionals. Build lasting relationships before we wrap up with our Sunday marketplace trade show.
• Local Discoveries: Experience some of the gems around Oconee County, adding a touch of adventure to your learning journey.

At this time, the meeting location is TBD, but our host hotel is the Fairfield Inn & Suites Seneca Clemson Area (800 Bypass, US-123, Seneca, SC 29678).

Tickets

Content creator/blogger/influencer Attendee Tickets for #STESenecaSC are $269 (plus Eventbrite fees and taxes) and include all programming, local activities, meals (2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners), and networking opportunities.

Whether you are a travel blogger, content creator, influencer, or just a travel enthusiast, we would love for you to join us in Oconee County, SC.

Note: There may be an opportunity to apply for a Pre/Post FAM Trip.

**CVBs and DMOs, email southerntravelersexplore @gmail.com for your ticket information.

All ticket holders must be at least 21 years old.

All #STEOconeeCoSC tickets are nonrefundable. No exceptions will be made.

Weekend Overview

Schedule TBD though the weekend will likely play out as:

Friday (programming and opening event)

Saturday (breakfast, programming, local activities and lunch, Dine-Around event)

Sunday (programming, brunch, marketplace).

Programming

Chosen closer to the conference date

Why Oconee County, SC?

Nestled in the northwest corner of South Carolina and the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Oconee County is a gem waiting for you to discover. It offers breathtaking natural beauty and a wealth of outdoor activities.

Visitors are drawn to its stunning waterfalls, pristine rivers, and picturesque lakes, which provide perfect settings for hiking, kayaking, fishing, or endless outdoor adventure. Oconee County's proximity to major Southeastern metropolitan areas makes it an ideal destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway.

The charm extends beyond Oconee County's scenic landscapes. It is home to a collection of quaint small towns, each holding a unique character and welcoming community. Strolling through the downtown areas, visitors often find themselves captivated by the friendly atmosphere and the warm Southern hospitality of the locals. These towns offer a delightful blend of history, culture, and modern amenities, making them a joy to explore.

Whether you're seeking adventure in nature or a peaceful retreat in a charming, lesser-known town, Oconee County, South Carolina, promises every visitor a memorable and enriching experience.

Where is Oconee County, SC?

It’s located in the northwestern corner of the state and in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

You’ll find 29 waterfalls (some accessible by boat only!), 200 miles of trails, 200K acres of National Forest, 4 lakes, 2 rivers, 3 county parks, and 4 state parks in this natural wonderland.

Accommodations

The Fairfield Inn & Suites Seneca Clemson Area is offering #STEOconeeCoSC attendees a discounted rate of $129 per night + taxes.

The Fairfield is also offering this discounted rate for the date span of 3/5 through 3/11 should attendees wish to explore more of Oconee County on their own.

The hotel offers complimentary breakfast and Wifi.

Southern Travelers Explore Testimonials

"I absolutely loved this travel conference. It was dynamic and exciting!"

"Southern Travelers Explore isn't just a conference, it's a family. This group of travel writers and content creators is so encouraging and supportive that it is worth the price just to meet the other attendees. They also provide incredible value for the money from the local tours, included meals, and educational sessions. This is by far my favorite conference of the year!”

"I just wanted to say thank you sooo much for putting on such a wonderful conference. It was my 4th one and personal favorite! Things I loved: All the food and activities were great. You all were so kind and considerate of my allergy. You all have such a good spirit and definitely represent that “southern hospitality.” You did a good job picking speakers. I think everyone did great! “

"Thank you for everything! I am so proud of you two- another AMAZING conference!"

"I wanted to thank you for putting together such a fun, insightful, and organized conference. You both are great at what you do! I really enjoyed getting to know more about the area, and you covered so much with the itinerary. It is the perfect size, allowing both great connections and helpful conversations to occur. "

"I loved the exposure to CVB representatives in a casual atmosphere. Also loved the group discussions, they were candid and frank."

"The STE Conference is hands-down one of the best conferences a Travel Writer and Influencer can attend. The attention to detail that Melody and Taylor put into the entire event is top-notch."

"I just wanted to say thank you so much for putting together this previous weekend. It was such an amazing time, and I truly enjoyed every part of it! The activities were perfect and meaningful, the sessions were informational and everyone was so kind."

"I liked the size, which gave me an opportunity to interact with nearly everyone who attended."

"It was great to hear things from the blogger prospective in an open, honest, safe way."

"If you are interested in sharing and writing about travel, attending a Southern Travelers Explore is a great conference to attend. As being a 3rd year attendee, there’s always new things to learn. Friendships are made. The host cities go all out to welcome our small group."

"I loved every minute of it, especially the small size and friendly atmosphere.”

And this entire post was written as a response to Heather “Through Heather's Looking Glass” first conference with us.

Questions?

Have questions about #STEOconeeCoSC? Email Melody at southerntravelersexplore @gmail.com.

Stay up to date with all #STEOconeeCoSC info on the Southern Travelers Explore Facebook page.

Learn more about Southern Travelers Explore.

After you purchase your #STE conference ticket, you'll receive a follow-up email with all the next steps. We appreciate your patience as we finalize details with our host city and partners. Rest assured, we'll keep you updated every step of the way. Follow along on the Southern Travelers Explore FB page to stay in the loop.

*By purchasing a #STEOconeeCoSC ticket, you consent to a photo release and being contacted by conference sponsors.

*All #STEOconeeCoSC tickets are nonrefundable. No exceptions will be made.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Oconee County, United States