April 6-8, 2006
Raleigh, North Carolina
Sheraton Raleigh Capitol Center

Raleigh - "It's hip without the hassle"*
Come to SEAALL and see for yourself!

Raleigh is named for Sir Walter Raleigh - a Renaissance English courtier - a hip guy for the 17th century. The city that bears his name is alive today with a wonderful array of things to see and experience that would certainly please Sir Walter. Raleigh is a true example of the new South. The city is a great mix of old traditions and new innovations. Sweet tea and lattes, grits and sushi, down home and world class. Take your pick!

Raleigh was founded in 1792 when the General Assembly purchased land for a permanent place for the state capital. At that time the founders dubbed it the "City of the Oaks." The name lives on in the city where streets are lined with arches of great oaks and parks that fill the city with green spaces.

The Sheraton Raleigh, the conference hotel, is located in the heart of downtown Raleigh. The city is in the midst of a transformation to "Livable Streets" which is creating a variety of places to work, play, live and shop all within easy walking distances. Restaurants, night clubs and art galleries add to the mix that draws people to downtown for nightlife.

To kickoff the SEAALL Annual Meeting, we will walk to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences for a reception. This state of the art interactive museum features many live animals and a butterfly house. The museum is also noted for the best display of dinosaurs in the South including Willo, the dinosaur, with the fossilized heart.

Be sure to plan time to visit all the attractions in downtown Raleigh. The North Carolina Museum of History, which welcomes visitors with a replica of the Wright brothers' plane soaring over head, offers a variety of exhibits about the state's people and traditions. The Exploris Museum is dedicated to global learning and awareness through interactive exhibits. The Imax Theatre is also located in Exploris. The old North Carolina State Capitol offers tours which include the beautiful Gothic style room that served as the State Library from 1840-1888.

The North Carolina Symphony and the Carolina Ballet will have performances on Friday evening at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, just one block from the hotel. The Symphony program is Classical Mystery Tour: a Beatles Tribute under the direction of Martin Herman. Robert Weiss, the ballet director, who has been hailed by New York critics, will be presenting his own new work, Spiritual Journey.

The Friday evening event will be "North Carolina Barbeque: East Meets West." In a state that is sometimes heatedly divided between tomato sauce in the West and vinegar and pepper sauce down East, we will have both! Vote for your favorite barbeque and enjoy all the fixings that go with it. We will feast in park near the historic City Market with its cobblestone streets and gas lanterns. After dinner the City Market will be alive for the First Friday event where the art galleries and retail stores are open late. Some of the restaurants in this area are: Mo's Diner, Cafe Luna and Tir Na nOg. City Market and the nearby restaurants are all within walking distance from the hotel.

To explore more restaurants, take a healthy walk or a quick taxi ride to the Glenwood South area of Raleigh. By day this is a trendy street with art galleries and antique shops, at night it is one of Raleigh best bets for a great dining experience. The offerings here go from the traditional at Sullivan's Steakhouse and Bogart's American Grill, to the latest in creative at Enoteca Vin or The Rockford. If you want ethnic try Sushi Blues Café, the Hibernian or 518 West Italian Café. The 42nd Street Oyster Bar is a city landmark where legislatures have been hanging out for years and the mural over the bar depicts some of the enduring local politicians. After dinner check out the action at April & George and the Red Room.

The Local Arrangements Committee is eager to make your visit to Raleigh a memorable one. Please contact Connie Matzen, or Lisa Williams, if you need more information.

* Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau