About Our Center
The R. David Thomas Center is named in honor of the late Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s International, Inc. We opened in 1989 to provide excellence in conference and meeting services, providing state-of-the-art meeting space as well as contemporary accommodations, and modern comforts.
Located near the Research Triangle Park, the Thomas Center offers 113 guestrooms and over 15,000 square feet of meeting space, with additional space at the adjacent business school facilities. Our resources are complemented by professional conference planners and an attentive staff. A delicious meal in our Executive Dining Room or a round of golf on Duke University’s magnificent championship golf course will enhance your meeting experience.
Duke University and The Fuqua School of Business
Established in 1924, Duke University is today considered one of the top research universities in the world. The main Duke campus in Durham is home to 6,500 undergraduates, over 7,700 graduate students, and more than 1,700 tenure or tenure track faculty. In addition to elite academics, the Duke University Hospital is considered one of the best hospitals in the country.
Duke University also encompasses the Nasher Museum of Art, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens (a 55 acre garden with native woodland and oriental gardens), and 7,200 acres of forest managed for multiple use (with selected trails open to visitors for hiking, biking, and horseback riding), as well as numerous centers, institutes, and libraries. For more information, see Duke at a Glance.
The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, has grown from a small program of a dozen students in 1969 to one of the leading business schools in the world. With #1-ranked faculty according to Bloomberg Businessweek and renowned research centers, the school sits among top-ranked U.S. business schools. Fuqua offers a portfolio of graduate degree programs and non-degree open enrollment programs.
Our Focus on Sustainability
The R. David Thomas Center’s sustainability goal is a holistic approach to the stewardship of our environment. Our current program incorporates the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle:
- Seasonal organic herb garden on-site
- Organic options available for lunch and dinner
- Fair-trade, shade grown coffee
- All fryer oil recycled for bio-diesel
- Bio-diesel transportation available for groups
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® guide followed
- Bulk product vs. individually wrapped product available upon request
- Unused food product donated to Interfaith Shelter and Durham Rescue Mission
- We recycle paper, plastic, aluminum, glass, cardboard, phonebooks, printer cartridges, nametags, and mixed paper
- Disposable plates and napkins are made of 100% post consumer product
- Corn-based plastic cups
- Standard light bulbs have been replaced by compact florescent light bulbs (CFL) or energy saving light bulbs
- Drought-tolerant plants incorporated into landscaping
- Non-toxic biodegradable cleaning products used
We believe in sustainability, and our program is a work in progress. We will continue to meet the needs of our guest without compromising the needs of future generations.