Legacy by Design

On a warm Charleston morning, Hope Caldwell walks into the room like sunlight. It could be the bright yellow dress, or maybe it’s the kind of conviction that only comes from knowing you’re doing something that matters; something that turns the world. As the founder of KLH Group, Caldwell isn’t just organizing world-class events—she’s reimagining what they can mean. Her mission is bold: to turn the luxury event industry into a catalyst for lasting social impact, one memory-shifting moment at a time.

“I founded KLH Group out of a desire to reimagine the event and hospitality industry, and its role in facilitating meaningful change,” Caldwell says. After spending time on the mission fields in East Africa, she felt a calling to start a company that restores a full expression of humanness. “Here's what we believe: the difference between cutting a check and changing a life is the difference between doing good and being transformed by good."In this fast-paced world, she aims to ground people—let them experience the unmistakable expression of grace through events.

A Shift to Transformation

Take, for example, a global airline that recently brought its C-suite to Charleston for a retreat. What began as a traditional leadership summit turned into something unforgettable when KLH coordinated a community service event. The executives spent an afternoon building playhouses for children facing serious illness. The CEO formed a bond with one child that forever changed his perspective.

“That little boy had no idea who this man was, only that he was building him a playhouse, but that experience leveled the CEO,” Caldwell recalls. “When your heart is moved, the memory sticks. That’s what we strive for—a legacy that outlasts the passed hors d'oeuvres and the craft cocktails.”

This ethos has found fertile ground in Charleston’s hospitality ecosystem. Caldwell is quick to point to other leaders who are walking the same path. The Beemok Hospitality Collection, for instance, is investing deeply in Meeting Street Schools, while The Kiawah Island Golf Resort, in partnership with Jonathan Barth of Third Serve Foundation, is bridging athletics and academics to support underserved youth. Additionally, Hotel Bennett Salamander Collection integrates social impact into luxury travel through programs like Clubhouse builds in partnership with KLH and Collin Carter of Hotel Bennett.

"Socially responsible events are increasingly important in luxury hospitality because they offer a deeper, more meaningful experience than traditional luxury,” says Collin. “These programs redefine luxury by focusing on emotional and social impact. By integrating activities like the Clubhouse Challenge, hotels are meeting a growing demand from guests who seek to connect with a brand that reflects their values and provides opportunities to make a positive impact. These events replace conventional team building with transformative experiences, forging stronger bonds among participants and creating lasting emotional connections that traditional amenities can't match. This approach positions luxury hotels as leaders in a new era of hospitality defined by purpose, community and genuine human connection."

Another key partner is the Navigation Center, a local nonprofit serving Charleston’s underserved and unhoused. KLH recently worked at The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection, on John’s Island to host a client’s event where executives participated in a social impact activity that ultimately supplied the center with critical items like blow up mattresses and kitchen kits. The evening was interspersed with heartfelt stories from the Center’s CEO and director, Marie Elana Roland.

“The partnership with KLH Group that evening was amazing,” says Roland. “They brought us essential items like blow-up mattresses and ‘kitchen in a box’ kits, which are critical for families we’re placing in transitional housing or hotels. But more than that, they gave us a platform to share our mission. We’re not a brick-and-mortar shelter—we’re addressing homelessness by digging deep into the root causes like trauma, mental health, and medical needs. Being able to tell our story to corporate guests, many of whom were moved to tears, helps them see that this isn’t just a Charleston issue. Homelessness is everywhere, and maybe now they’ll be inspired to support organizations doing this work in their own communities.”

The KLH Way: Starting with Passion, Ending with Purpose

The process always starts with a conversation. What is your company passionate about? Who have you always wanted to help? Caldwell makes a distinction between traditional corporate social responsibility (CSR) and what she calls “impact-first business.”

“A company like Nike might incorporate recycled materials to check the CSR box, but a company like Patagonia exists to solve a world problem,” she explains. KLH not only adds social impact to their events, but they also weave it into the fabric.

That approach has made KLH a magnet for clients who want to move from performative to transformative.

Whether the event is a high-end corporate dinner, a multi-day conference, or a destination retreat, Caldwell’s team ensures every element—from table linens to transportation—honors the client’s values while benefiting Charleston’s communities. 

“This is sophistication through service,” Caldwell says. Our clients expect elegance, and we deliver—but we also invite them into something bigger.”

Meet More Movement Makers

KLH may be a leader, but it’s not alone. Charleston’s impact-first movement is growing, and Caldwell is quick to celebrate fellow changemakers in addition to Marie Elana Roland, Collin Carter, and Jonathan Barth:

» Steve Palmer and Mickey Bakst of Indigo Road and founders of Ben’s Friends are reshaping how the industry supports hospitality workers battling addiction.

» Alyssa Maute Smith, executive director of the Charleston Wine + Food and their Culinary + Hospitality Foundation that provides stipends to industry professionals who participate in the festival as well as education and workforce development programs.

» Josh Bell of Meeting Street schools is helping empower the next generation through education opportunity and mentorship.

Each of these leaders contributes to a growing ecosystem where the lines between service and impact, and luxury and empathy are beautifully blurred.

The Future Is Charleston

What would you do if you could change the trajectory of your company by rethinking how you do business? “Money can’t buy what we give—it can buy the event, but it can’t buy the feeling,” says Caldwell.

With the world watching and clients returning year after year, Charleston is poised to become the gold standard for impact-driven hospitality. Through partnerships with visionary hoteliers, nonprofit leaders, and corporate teams hungry for meaning, KLH is proving that events can do more than entertain—they can leave a legacy. ϒ