Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/52019
AREA GUIDESOAKLAND AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE ALIVE AND WELL IN THIS TOP BAY AREA MEETING DESTINATION BY SOLOMON J. HERBERT II A city on the move, Oakland has emerged as a major economic force in the region. Long a center for interna- tional trade, the Port of Oakland is the nation's fourth busiest container port in the Bay Area. The Oakland Internat- ional Airport is served by 12 major domestic and international airlines. Getting around is easy by train, automo- bile,BART, bus and ferry. Located in the heart of the San Francisco BayArea,Oakland is the per- fect place to hold your next convention, meeting, reunion, or special event. The city has got state-of-the-art facilities and lodging, and your guests will enjoy exploring the exciting attractions,vibrant arts and entertainment scene, and diverse range of restaurants. Oakland's also a great starting point for excursions to such well-known sights as San Francisco, California's Wine Country, Silicon Valley, Lake Tahoe, and Monterey The Oakland Convention Center, offering 64,000 sq. ft. of exhibition and meeting space, is conveniently located in the downtown district only 10 min- utes from the Oakland International Airport. Right outside the doors of the convention center you will find Oakland's Chinatown, Old Oakland, Preservation Park, shopping and within a few short blocks the waterfront, Jack London Square and the Paramount Theatre. Adjoining the convention center is the Oakland Marriott City Center, with an additional 25,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space and 483 deluxe guest rooms. The iconic Hilton Oakland Airport hotel is an oasis by the airport with 12 90 um preserves both African-American and African art and promotes greater appreciation of African-American her- itage.The hours of opera- tion are Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Also located in the Oakland Convention Center manicured acres in a resort-like setting conveniently located less than a mile from Oakland International Airport (OAK) and twomiles fromtheBayArea Rapid Transit (BART) system with sub- way access to downtown San Francisco. Located just minutes from the air- port, The Hilton Oakland Airport, with 363 guest rooms, offers 16,000 sq. ft. of flexible indoor/outdoor meeting space. This amazing hotel is fully equipped with a 24-hour Business Center, a ballroom and 16 meeting rooms as well as complimentary shut- tle service to and from Oakland InternationalAirport. Just 12 miles from downtown San Francisco, The Claremont Hotel offers 30,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space high atop the scenic hills ofBerkeley.This AAA Four Diamond hotel provides state-of-the-art facilities for any size event, from large-scale conferences to more selective team-building workshops. With a newly renovated fitness complex, three pools, 10 tennis courts, hiking trails, nearby golf, a yoga studio, and an award- winning spa, the 279-room hotel offers plenty of opportunity to relax and recharge. Oakland, well known for the diverse cultural influence, offers quite a variety of cultural centers and festivals to par- ticipate in. The Ebony Museum of Art, located in the City Center area, is a spectacle to see. This downtown muse- City Center area, The African American Muse- um and Library at Oak- land (AAMLO) is dedi- cated to discover, pre- serve, interpret and share the historical and cultural experiences of African- Americans in California and the West for present and future generations. Located in the Uptown area, The Museum of African American Techno- logy Science Village (MAAT) chroni- cles the technical achievements of peo- ple of African descent from ancient times to the present, and provides sci- ence education and awareness activi- ties for students and adults. Computer classes at the Internet Cafe, science education activities and seminars are the main services offered. The next time you decide to plan a meeting or group event in the area, make sure to contact Theo Jackson and the sales team at Visit Oakland. With the abundance of meeting facilities and the breathtaking ambiance Oakland has to offer, he is sure to help you fulfill your business needs. • • • STATS • • • HOTEL Oakland Marriott City Center Hilton Oakland Airport The Claremont Hotel Clarion Hotel Oakland Total Exhibit Space Meeting Rooms ROOMS 483 363 279 290 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Oakland Convention Center 64,000 sq. ft. 12 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Oakland – (510) 208-0529 visitoakland.org Black Meetings & Tourism November/December 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Photo Credit: New Oakland CVB