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About 125 people gathered inside St. Peter's Catholic Church Parish Hall to discuss the project.
"We had three goals for today -- get a better idea of where a conference center needs to be, how big it should be and make sure it's something people want to see happen," said D.J. Desai, chairman of the conference center committee created by the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Visitor and Convention Bureau. "The people have spoken and shown that they're behind this."
Weeks before, the Chamber's VCB sought suggestions for a site large enough to hold an approximately 40,000-square-foot building that could seat 1,000 people for a sit-down dinner.
The VCB received nine sites -- all submitted by either the property owners or their representatives -- ranging from three to 18 acres across northern Beaufort County. Their locations were mapped out for the public to review.
VCB representatives declined to name the property ownersThursday, saying they didn't have the consent of all property owners.
Participants were given envelopes with green and red stickers that they could place on a particular location or on pictures attached to what project officials called a "visioning board" to show their support or disapproval.
Among the most popular sites Thursdaywere parcels at Greenlawn Drive, downtown Beaufort, Pearl Street and Whitehall Plantation.
About four or five other sites were submitted after the deadline and will be included in a September report that also will incorporate public feedback, said Bob Moquin, the VCB's executive director.
Participants also heard a presentation from the VCB and architecture and visioning firm LS3P Associates LTD on the project's guiding principles, space needs and design ideas.
Throughout the presentation, participants called out suggestions, such as incorporating a multi-level parking structure into the concept, making sure public transportation can be available, and choosing a site within walking distance of hotels and inns.
Others wondered what competition such a facility would face in nearby communities like Hilton Head Island, Charleston and Savannah.
A analysis of competition would be part of a future feasibility study if the project reaches that point, Moquin said.
"We wanted to get public opinion and public input so we can incorporate those findings as we move forward," Moquin said.
While it's too early to tell how a conference center would be funded, Moquin said it would likely come from a mix of private and public dollars.
Many participants said after the presentation they think a commerce center would benefit Beaufort and allow it to attract larger gatherings, reunions, weddings, trade-shows and other events that, for now, it must turn away.
Dick Stewart submitted two sites for review -- Greenlawn Drive and Pearl Street.
"It would be great for the economy and great for the community," Stewart said.
Larry Holman, president of the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce, also said a conference center sounded like a good fit for the area.
"I think Beaufort is ready for it," Holman said. "However I do think we need to look at other locations than just those that were presented today."
From here, the project leaders will take public input and research and incorporate it all in a package that could serve as a guiding document as discussions progress, Moquin said. He expects that step to be completed in September.
