As budgets tighten and expectations rise, meeting planners face the challenge of delivering programs that inspire attendees without overextending resources. The good news? You don’t have to choose between value and experience. In Ocean City, Maryland, you can have both, especially during the shoulder season.
This vibrant Mid-Atlantic destination blends the perks of an upscale coastal getaway with the savings and flexibility that come from booking midweek or off-season. Add in a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind local experiences, and it’s easy to see why Ocean City is fast becoming a go-to choice for planners seeking memorable meetings at a smart price point.
Premium Venues at Shoulder Season Rates
From October through May—especially Sunday through Thursday— planners can take advantage of lower rates, greater availability and enticing concessions across Ocean City’s meeting hotels and venues. That means your group can book oceanfront ballrooms, rooftop lounges and renovated conference spaces for a fraction of big-city costs, without sacrificing style or amenities.
The Roland E. Powell Convention Center anchors the city’s meeting infrastructure, with 214,000 square feet of flexible space, including waterfront ballrooms, a 1,200-seat Performing Arts Center and cutting-edge tech. For more intimate gatherings, boutique resorts and full-service hotels offer well-appointed meeting spaces perfect for executive retreats, incentive programs and board sessions and all within steps of the ocean.
Only-in-Ocean-City Experiences
What truly elevates an event is what happens beyond the meeting room, and Ocean City makes it effortless to add experiences that attendees will talk about long after they return home. Imagine:
- Sunset receptions at a harbor front restaurant with Eastern Shore oysters and craft cocktails.
- Teambuilding adventures like kayaking along Assateague Island’s wild shoreline or chartering a sailboat on the bay.
- Exclusive culinary encounters with local chefs leading seafood cooking demos or private tastings at farm breweries and wineries.
- Leisure time perks like championship golf, boutique shopping or a stroll along the famous three-mile boardwalk.
By pairing business sessions with memorable activities, planners can boost attendance, engagement and overall event satisfaction without adding significant cost.
Walkable, Connected and Planner-Friendly
In Ocean City, convenience comes built in. The city’s walkable layout keeps everything close, meeting venues, restaurants and offsite attractions, so attendees can spend more time connecting and less time commuting. Our meetings team works hand in hand with planners to streamline logistics, recommend reliable local partners and create itineraries that deliver maximum impact without stretching the budget.
Value That Inspires
In Ocean City, value doesn’t mean “less than.” It means more opportunities to delight attendees, more memorable moments and more ways to make every dollar count. The town’s tourism team and hotel partners are committed to helping planners turn vision into reality, from securing competitive rates to creating experiences that make events truly stand out.
Make Your Next Meeting the Best of Both Worlds
Why choose between budget and experience when you can have both? Plan your next meeting in Ocean City during the shoulder season and give your attendees the coastal getaway they deserve and your budget the break it needs. 
Sponsored by Ocean City, MD CVB
