NCannie

This may be too late but there are several parking decks near the convention center so parking shouldn't be a problem but it costs $12 per day so be prepared to shell out bucks and there is only timed parking on the streets. If you go out the front of the convention center you will see Fayetteville St to your right. There are a couple of restaurants there (easy walkiing distance) If you turn left at the corner of Fayetteville St there is a chinese restaurant, a mediteranean restuarant and just down the block on the same side is a Chick Fil A but it closes at 2:30. There is also a Jimmy Johns across the street from the chinese place and a pizza place. There is a great restaurant one street over from the Chik Fil A called Coopers Barbecue. Just go up to the Chick Fil A and cross the street heading to the right (on Davie St) it's about a block down on the left. Has great Carolina BBQ and baby back ribs. The ribs are $7.50 with two sides. Only thing is they only take cash. The Sheraton is on the left just before you get to the Chick Fil A, it has a couple of restaurants but the food is hit or miss. Do not eat at the Marriot. The food is expensive and you don't get much for your money. Wear comfortable shoes. The convention center floors are concrete and there aren't a lot of bathrooms so you may have to wait in lines. Never used their food services so can't tell you anything about them. Hope you have a great time. We were just there this past weekend for 4 days for a church event or I'd go back for the show, just can't afford the money for another hotel room etc.