Advancing Manufacture of Cell and Gene Therapies IX
Venue Information

Conference Venue: Westin Hilton Head Island, Two Grassland Avenue, Hilton Head Island, SC (Tel: 1-843-681-4000) Accommodations are included in the conference fee.

Hilton Head Island is part of the Lowcountry region in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is 40 miles north of Savannah and 90 miles of Charleston. The largest barrier island between the Bahamas and Long Island, this twelve-mile island is known for its Atlantic Ocean beaches and golf courses. It lies on the intracoastal waterway and encompasses 42 square miles that include unspoiled sea marshes, creeks, lagoons, heavily wooded forests of tall pines, palmettos, magnolias and giant oaks.
The Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum marks the southwest tip of the island while the Coastal Discovery Museum features heritage buildings, trees and themed gardens. Between the island and mainland, the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge salt marsh hosts deer, alligators and birds
Weather for Hilton Head in early February is generally predicted to be highs in the mid-low 60s(F) and lows in the 40s(F).
Common area tours

Daufuskie Island Tour – Remote Daufuskie Island is accessible only by boat and remains largely undeveloped, despite its fame as the setting of Pat Conroy’s novel “The Water is Wide.” Attractions include the First African Baptist Church and Mary Fields School.

Dolphin and Nature Tour of Hilton Head - Cruising the salt-marsh ecosystem in search of dolphins is a popular activity in Hilton Head. Sail along the water from Shelter Cove Marina, down Broad Creek, and into Calibogue Sound, while keeping a lookout for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, birds, and other animals that call the area home.
Beaufort Gullah Heritage Tour - See the Gullah plantation house, cemetery, and church ruins, and visit the praise house, which still hosts meetings for families on the island. Learn about Gullah heritage and experience island life in the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Month of February: Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration
Annual month-long celebration of Gullah heritage and culture, with a variety of events across the island including musical and dance performances, food events, traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, storytelling and other spoken arts, and more. More details
Farmer’s Market at the Coastal Discovery Museum - Fresh & Lowcountry Local
Begin your Tuesdays at the Hilton Head Island Farmers Market, where you'll meet our friendly farmers and vendors, who offer fresh produce, baked goods, drinks, specialty goods, artwork and crafts.

Coastal Discovery Museum
Visit the Coastal Discovery Museum for a fun-filled learning experience. Here, the whole family can discover and explore the wonders of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Take a leisurely stroll around the Museum’s majestic 68-acre property. Investigate the salt marsh on their boardwalks. Marvel at the beauty of the Spanish Moss dangling from Live Oaks. Take a step back in time to imagine life on Hilton Head years ago.