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MEETING IN "THE BUCKEYE STATE" JUST GOT MORE ADVANCED BY SOLOMON J. HERBERT II As Ohio temperatures begin to dip, woodpiles are stocked for comfy lodge evenings by a roaring fire with friends and family visiting for the holidays. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to have fun, keeping your family and/or con- ference attendees well entertained! Five ski resorts around the state offer downhill skiing and tubing while many State Parks and metroparks have areas reserved for cross-country skiing. Along Lake Erie, when the deep freeze sets in, fisherman can't wait to get out and drop a line from an ice fishing shanty. Indoors, performing arts and new exhibits once again take center stage. Throughout the state, theaters, art muse- ums and more welcome visitors with stunning shows, concerts and thought- provoking art exhibits. Add to this world-class accommoda- tions and conference facilities across the state and it's easy to understand why Ohio is so popular with meeting planners. ••CINCINNATI•• Cincinnati's premier meeting venue, the 750,000-sq. ft. Duke Energy Center, contains 200,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, more than 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and a 40,000-sq. ft. ballroom. The good news is that your hotel is only a short stroll away – that's because there are more than 3,200 hotel rooms in just three blocks right next to the Duke Energy Convention Center. And thou- sands more rooms are a few minutes away throughout Cincinnati and on the Kentucky riverfront. The Queen City will easily keep your conference attendees occupied on their off time. The Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion Celebration continues to grow and is now one of Cincinnati's largest family-focused events, drawing over 100,000 patrons. It is held annually the 3rd weekend of August at Sawyer Point and Yeatman's Cove. The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens will flip the switch on over 2.5 million daz- zling lights and more than 100 lighted dis- plays in the city's longest-standing holi- day tradition during the months od November and December. Cincinnati has much to offer multicul- tural visitors, from the one-of-a-kind National Underground Railroad Free- dom Center museum to the Harriet Beecher Stowe house. This 1833 resi- dence was originally built for the presi- dent of Lane Seminary, who happened to be Dr. Lyman Beecher, father of famed author and abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe. Today, the house func- tions as cultural center to preserve African-American history. The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport services the Greater Cincinnati metropolitan area. ••CEVELAND•• From a sleek, new downtown conven- tion center to dozens of new and/or ren- ovated hotels, Cleveland has the meet- ings and convention infrastructure cov- ered. But it's known that attendees want much more than just a great meeting space. They want nightlife, social-media worthy culinary offerings and a great arts & culture scene. Cleveland has all of that and more. The Cleveland Convention Center and more than 4,100 nearby downtown hotel rooms are located just steps away from a vibrant downtown district filled with great restaurants, clubs and enter- tainment in a safe, compact environment that can meet your needs for creating a spectacular event. The Cleveland Convention Center's 900,000 sq. ft. of space in 35 meeting rooms, two ballrooms (32,000 sq. ft. and 11,000 sq. ft.), and 225,000 sq. ft. in three distinct exhibition halls combine to create the full capability to deliver the desired atmosphere for an endless vari- ety of events. One of Cleveland's most popular attractions is Cedar Points Amusement Park. Beyond heart-in-your-throat roller coasters, Cedar Point boasts a water- slide-filled waterpark, five resort proper- ties, a Caribbean-themed indoor water- park and an activity park with go-karts, mini golf and the like. It's basically every thrill-seekers dream-come-true. While in Cleveland attendees should explore some of the cities historic B M & T ••• November/December 2015 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 40 AREA GUIDES O H I O Underground Railroad Freedom Center Exhibit, Cincinnati Photo Credit: Cincinnati USA CVB • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Hyatt Regency Cincinnati 496 Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza 488 Westin Hotel Cincinnati 450 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Duke Energy Convention Center Total Exhibit Space 200,000 sq. ft Meeting Rooms 30 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Cincinnati USA CVB www.cincyusa.com (800) 543-2613 Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky African American Chamber-Commerce (513) 751-9900