Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1517455
WHILe many groups choose to meet at large resorts or out of the-way locals, even more seem to be embracing the idea of walking cities. Destinations with compact downtown corridors offer an incredible advantage to meeting planners looking to cut costs during challenging times. Smaller walking cities usually have everything your attendees require within walking distance or a short ride away. What a difference it makes to have your hotel across the street from the convention center as opposed to across town! Hosting a meeting in a small to mid-sized walking city can dramatically reduce transporta- tion costs to and from events, attractions and special activities. Some larger cities, on the other hand, offer a myriad of experiences with opportunities to explore unique neighborhoods and world-class attractions in an environment perfectly suited for walking. Meetings in these cities, whether large or small, open the door for a better quality of experience for attendees. Instead of becoming hindered by transportation woes, visitors can embark on their own for any multitude of adventures, fully exploring the destination in which they are meeting. Here are a few pos- sibilities for your consideration. SAN ANTONIO The San Antonio River Walk is a ver- dant oasis of cypress-lined paved paths, arched stone bridges and lush landscapes. It gently winds through the city center, pro- viding millions of visitors each year with easy access to the city's cultural hot spots, historic sites and other attractions. Colorful and iconic umbrellas shade riverside tables as diners savor a splendid array of diverse River Walk cuisine. Classic Tex-Mex, tender barbecue, traditional Italian and contemporary Southwestern fare are just a few of the choices you'll find in the cafés, restaurants and bistros. Just steps from the River Walk is Main Plaza - "the heart of the city." The River Walk, or Paseo del Rio, is the largest urban ecosystem in the nation. Tucked quietly below street level and only steps from the Alamo, it provides a serene and pleasant way to navigate the city. Ride a river cruiser, rent a bicycle or take your time seeing the sights on foot. With 15 miles of sidewalks and paths, the River Walk pro- vides access to museums, the King William Historic District, 300-year-old Spanish mis- sions, hotels, shops, restaurants and a new adventure around every turn. In 2009, a 1.33-mile Riverwalk extension was com- pleted, featuring visual and aural works of art, terraces landscaped with native plants and pedestrian access to the San Antonio Museum of Art, and the historic Pearl Brewery complex. Planners will be happy to hear that the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, the central component of San Antonio's meet- ing industry, is located right on the famed Riverwalk. The 1.6 million-sq. ft. facility accommodates groups of all sizes in the heart of downtown within walking distance of historic sites, restaurants, museums, the- aters, shops, and thousands of hotel rooms. 4:09 PMhe center features 203,00 sq. ft. of meeting space, two ballrooms, four contigu- ous exhibit halls with over 514,000 sq. ft., and the adjacent 2m319-seat Lila Cockrell Theatre. B M & T ••• March/April 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 17 photo credit: Daniel J Simanek - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6582358 BY BUCK SAMUELS San Antonio RiverWalk