Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/16726
BY MICHAEL BENNETT organizations to do more with less. Those of us fortunate enough to still have jobs are afraid to take vacations for fear our jobs won’t be there when we return. Many are getting around what we hope is a once-in-a-life- It’s time problem by combining group gatherings with family vacations – a sort of two for one special that actually is a pos- itive development for those destinations hosting meetings and other incentive travel. All the destinations profiled below were selected because they are family-friendly and affordable. By family-friendly we mean places to take the kids while one of the parents is attending their event. Lots of free or significantly discounted attractions to stretch those already tight budgets even farther. We looked at things like the number of hotels in a partic- ular region that had microwaves and kitchenettes to save families the expense of eating out every night. Several hotel properties have free shuttle service to and from the airport, and much of the on-sight transportation is free or can be obtained at significantly discounted prices. Other items of note we were looking for; are the destina- tions easy to get to; are the amusements and cultural attrac- tions within walking distance of a hotel; do the CVBs offer family-friendly planning services? The destinations below are a mix of large metropolitan centers and smaller, yet equally as dynamic a locale as their larger brethren in terms of amenities and family-friendliness. 40 no secret we are living in tough economic times. Money is tight, forcing families, associations, trade groups and other BATON ROUGE Baton Rouge, located on the banks of the Mississippi River about 80 miles west of New Orleans, is one of the most family- friendly cities in the United States based on affordability, a host of family-friendly festivals spread throughout the year and numerous attractions and activities. Baton Rouge and its 8,000 hotel rooms are among the most affordable in the nation, and 4,500 of those rooms can be com- mitted for citywide meetings and conventions. The nine per- cent sales tax and 13 percent hotel/motel tax are among the lowest in the country. The Baton Rouge River Center has 70,000 sq. ft. of exhibit hall space and 125,000 sq. ft. of flat floor space with eight break- out rooms, along with theatre, classroom and banquet seating. If you love to eat, many of the city’s 900 restaurants reflect the region’s culture and heritage from Cajun and Creole to French and Mexican cuisine. Don’t be surprised if you experi- ence dishes here that you’ve never seen or heard of anyplace else, as the area’s many fine chefs love to innovate. The architecture, local music and culture are a blend of African-American, Caribbean and French and you might easi- ly hear some of those nuances in the local language. The term Cher for example is a term of endearment not restricted to just the French in Baton Rouge. Zydeco, blues, and Cajun music are just some of what you’ll enjoy as you make your way around the city. Some of the sites you might want to experience in Baton Rouge include Riverboat Tours, plantation tours, The Belle of Baton Rogue Casino, and the BREC Baton Rouge Zoo. There Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Photo Credit: Nancy Louie