A key part of the annual WMS Congress is the networking that takes place whilst experiencing some of the cultural highlights that our host destination has to offer alongside other delegates attending. We have put together a varied selection of group activity options to choose from to suit everyone’s interests, all of which take place on Thursday 5th October 2023.
All group activities will finish at the International African American Museum for a drink’s reception (6:00PM-9:00PM) and are for group activity attendees and attendees who have registered for the reception only. This reception is included in the overall price for the group activity. There will be scheduled shuttles back to the main hotels after the reception. The schedule will be confirmed nearer the time. Dress: Outdoor activity straight after your group activity. Smart/casual.
The group activity cost of £35 per person was available during the congress registration process. Places were available on a first come first served basis. If there is not enough interest in any of the activities it may be necessary to cancel and offer you an alternative option. Full confirmation will be sent via email nearer the time.
Please note that the group activities will go ahead come rain or shine so please dress appropriately. Should the weather be extreme, such as hurricane winds or extreme rainfall amounts, we have been told by our providers that they would offer us a refund if they cancel the booking with us but not if individuals decide they no longer wish to go if the activity is still going ahead as planned. WMS would process any such refund to delegates post-congress.
Booking of group activities is available until 17:00 BST - 19 September 2023.
If you have any queries, please contact Clare Beach, office@worldmusclesociety.org
Enjoy the afternoon aboard Charleston’s ultimate sailing catamaran.
This large vessel, with its spacious wooden deck of the catamaran offers the ideal setting for a cruise through the Charleston Harbor, passing by historic downtown Charleston, the iconic Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and Fort Sumter.
Guests can also enjoy covered seating on the deck to escape the sun if they wish. Throughout the two-hour cruise, guests can belly up to the “barefoot” bar for a glass of beer or wine. Cash/card payments.
*this is NOT a wheelchair accessible activity*
Departure Location: North Charleston Convention Center
Drop off Location: International African American Museum
Dress: Outdoor activity. Please dress appropriately for an outdoor activity aboard a boat in the Charleston Harbor
| 3:30PM | depart from congress venue to Shem Creek |
| 4:00PM to 6PM | Charleston Harbor Tour on Catamaran |
| 6:00PM | En route to IAAM reception |
| 6:15PM | guests arrive at IAAM Reception |
*this is NOT a wheelchair accessible activity*
Departure Location: North Charleston Convention Center
Drop off Location: International African American Museum
Dress: Outdoor activity. Please dress appropriately for an outdoor activity on a bicycle.
| 3:00PM | depart from the congress centre to e-bike starting location Group 1 in one direction: 3:30pm to 5:30pm Bike Tour (20 guests each) Group 2 in the other direction: 3:45pm to 5:45pm Bike Tour (20 guests each) |
| 5:45PM | En route to IAAM reception |
| 6:15PM | guests arrive at IAAM Reception |
*this is a limited wheelchair accessible activity, please contact us in advance to make arrangements*
Departure Location: North Charleston Convention Center
Drop off Location: International African American Museum
Dress: Outdoor activity. Please dress appropriately for an outdoor activity on land and water
| 1:40PM | depart the congress centre to Ft Sumter - Aquarium Warf. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS BEFORE THE END OF THE CONGRESS PROGRAMME |
| 2:00PM | guests arrival to Ft. Sumter Museum / Restrooms |
| 2:30PM to 4:45PM | Self tour of Ft. Sumter. Guides available throughout to ask questions |
| 4:45PM to 6:00PM | City of Charleston Historic Motor Tour |
| 6:00PM | En route to IAAM reception |
| 6:15PM | guest arrive at IAAM Reception |
As the name implies, the Gullah language, native to the Charleston area, is featured on much of the tour. Of course, if Gullah was spoken throughout the tour, you would not understand, nor would you enjoy the beautiful and interesting sites of Charleston. Your tour guide, is a native of Edisto, South Carolina, and is fluent in the Gullah language and familiar with many of the Gullah customs.
*this activity can be personally tailored to be wheelchair accessible, please contact us in advance to make arrangements*
Departure Location: North Charleston Convention Center
Drop off Location: International African American Museum
Dress: Indoor / Outdoor activity. Please dress appropriately to ride on a coach and walk outside for short distances.
| 3:30PM | depart from the congress venue to City of Charleston Bus Shed |
| 4:00M to 6:00PM | Motor Tour / Visitors Center to Visitors Center |
| 6:00PM | En route to IAAM reception |
| 6:15PM | guests arrive at IAAM Reception |
Discover The Holy City with all its charm, history, and elegance with the best tour guides Charleston has to offer!
Guests will be guided through the iconic streets of the Lowcountry by a licensed city guide, where they will see many of the characteristic sites including Rainbow Row, the Pineapple Fountain, and the City Market; guests will learn the local and global significance of the city’s history; and they may even feel chills as they learn stories of some the Holy City’s haunted homes.
*this activity can be personally tailored to be wheelchair accessible, please contact us in advance to make arrangements*
Departure Location: North Charleston Convention Center
Drop off Location: International African American Museum
Dress: Outdoor activity. Please dress appropriately for an outdoor activity on cobblestone walkways.
| 2:30PM | depart from the congress centre to historic Charleston |
| 3:00PM to 4:30PM | City of Charleston Historic Walking Tour (3 groups of 20) |
| 4:30 to 5:30PM | Shopping in the Historic Market |
| 5:30PM to 6:00PM | Motor Tour of Charleston with Licensed Guide |
| 6:00PM | En route to IAAM reception |
| 6:15PM | guest arrive at IAAM Reception |
The historic preservation work and interpretation of history at Middleton Place focuses on major contributions of the Middleton family as well as the enslaved Africans and African Americans who lived and worked here. The stories are a microcosm of United States history. From the early Colonial period through the Revolution, the early Republic, the Civil War era and beyond, they made a mark on the land, the colony, state, and nation.
Guests will experience a behind the scenes guided garden tour, guided beyond the fields tour which includes a tour of Eliza’s House, named for a former enslaved person of the Middleton’s – the home documents the story of slavery, in South Carolina and at Middleton Place. The focal point of the exhibit is a panel with the names of over 2800 African and African American men, women and children enslaved by the Middleton’s. Guests will also be able to participate with an interactive Stable yards with skilled artisans creating tools, pottery, clothing and tended an array of livestock.
*this is NOT a wheelchair accessible activity*
Departure Location: North Charleston Convention Center
Drop off Location: International African American Museum
Dress: Outdoor activity. Please dress appropriately for an outdoor activity on dirt and gravel land.
| 2:45PM | depart the congress centre to Middleton Place | |
| GROUP A | GROUP B | |
| 3:30PM to 4:30PM | Guided Garden Tour | Beyond the Fields Tour |
| 4:30PM to 5:30PM | Beyond the Fields Tour | Guided Garden Tour |
| 5:30PM | En route to IAAM reception | |
| 6:00PM | guest arrive at IAAM Reception |
