Illuminating Raleigh: The best our city has to offer Illuminate attendees

Planning Illuminate 2023 has all of us at Brightly excited for several reasons. On top of returning to an in-person format, the first since Dude University in 2019, we have the honor of opening our doors and welcoming you to our home in Raleigh.

Hosting an in-person event certainly has its perks, namely that the connections and networking don’t have to stop and are not limited by the virtual borders of a Zoom box. Done learning for the day and want to explore the city? Along with some help from Malinda Harrel from Visit Raleigh, we’ve compiled a few of our favorite activities to enjoy around town with your colleagues and new friends.

1. Break bread, sip and share.

After a long day, take some time to decompress and enjoy the nightlife Raleigh has to offer. Eat right near the convention center or find food that fits your palate perfectly. Spend time connecting to new colleagues and planning how you can take learnings and best practices home to implement at your organization. If you prefer, leave the work talk behind and enjoy your beverage of choice.

2. Explore history.

With an abundance of museums, not all your learning at Illuminate must be focused on maintenance and operations. Step into the past at the North Carolina Museum of History or explore at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

3. See the Storm Surge.

No, we’re not hoping for a rainy bit of weather when you’re in town. Aptly named, the Storm Surge is the victory celebration of our hometown Carolina Hurricanes. Enjoy the high-speed action hockey has to offer by taking in a game while you’re in town.

4. Catch a show.

From concerts to performances, there’s no shortages of arts to enjoy. Take in a symphony or a ballet at the Performing Arts Center. Enjoy all the culture the city has to offer!

5. Walk the halls.

As part of the area known as the Research Triangle, there are several well-known universities nearby, including Duke, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina. These institutions have storied pasts, beautiful campuses, excellent athletic programs and are just minutes apart from each other.

6. Hit the trails.

Walk, bike or hike on some of the best trails and parks Raleigh has to offer. Enjoy the great outdoors and all the natural beauty the surrounding areas offer. For those feeling extra adventurous, the beach is only a two-hour drive away.

7. Bright ideas for fun.

You won’t have to go off on your own to explore and enjoy during Illuminate. Outside of happy hours and appreciation dinners, we also have fun things planned for all to enjoy, including behind-the-scenes tours at Raleigh institutions, including Dorothea Dix Park.

When, Where, and How Much to Get Me There

• March 12-15 
• Raleigh, North Carolina 
• Brightly Bundle $1795 (includes four-night hotel stay, meals and tuition)
• Tuition Only $895

Still Time to Save

Both Raleigh and Illuminate have so much to offer—and so do you. Bring your expertise and best practices to share with your peers. Connect with new friends and help each other tackle the toughest of problems. Register by December 31, 2022, and you can take advantage of our early bird offer. Save 20% when you register and use promo code “EarlyBrd” at checkout.

To learn more and to reserve your spot, visit www.brightlysoftware.com/Illuminate. We can’t wait to see you there!