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MEETING & TRAVELING IN "THE PARK CITY" BY REGGIE MURPHY Bridgeport is the largest city proper in state of Connecticut and the 5th-largest in New England. The city is bordered by the towns of Trumbull to the north, Fairfield to the west, and Stratford to the east. The Greater Bridgeport area is the 48th-largest urban area in the United States, just behind Hartford (47th), and forms part of the Greater New York City Area. Depending on the formality of the event along with the size is an effective way to select the most appropriate venue for your meeting or event. Hotels and banquet halls are suitable for large weddings, but couples may want to get more creative and personal. Vineyards provide natural scenery, while museums offer dramatic settings. Country clubs are generally formal, but can be dressed down for a smaller, more casual affair li ke a baby shower. Parks and beaches are excellent for more low-key events like Father's Day barbeques because they allow space for family activities. Whether it's a night out for a group of friends, fun for the whole family, or entertaining clients or employees, Executive Suites at Webster Bank Arena will provide the utmost in exclu- sive entertainment for your special guest during any event. Suite Amenities include complimentary parking, VIP entrance, exceptional sight lines, unbe- lievably close to the action, plush cush- ioned seats & furnishings, in-suite cater- ing and wait service, in-suite wet bar, refrigerator and a flat screen TV. While enjoying down time in Bridgeport conference attendees can venture off for a friendly round of golf at Fairchild Wheeler, which offers two challenging 18-hole golf courses. The Red Golf Course demands accurate tee shots, which will leave most golfers with mid to short irons for their approach shots. Don't let that fool you because the Red Golf Course has tough greens that will make most golfers double and triple check the breaks. The Red Golf Course features 6,568 yards of golf from the Championship Tees for a par 72. The course rating is 71.0 and the slope is 124. Whether you just want to play on down time or include a memo- rable activity on your groups' itinerary, Fairfield Wheeler Golf Course has got you covered. Discovery Museum is Connecticut's Museum of adventures in art and sci- ence. There are over 100 hands on exhibits that are fun for children of all ages. The Museum's contemporary art galleries feature works in all media by artists from throughout New England as well as nationally and internationally known artists. Bridgeport is home to hun- dreds of working artists, musicians, per- formers, and creatives. The diversity of the art scene here is in evidence in our various neighborhoods, galleries, and spaces. Gilbert L. Davis is president of the African American Historical Association of Fairfield County (AAHA), which was founded in 2005 with the mission of uncovering Fairfield County's African- American history. Davis has represented Fairfield County and Bridgeport on the Connecticut Freedom Trail Planning Committee since 2005, helping to identi- fy sites and increase representation of Fairfield County and Bridgeport sites on the Connecticut Freedom Trail. Davis also coordinates Freedom Trail Month events for the Bridgeport area. Bridgeport owns and operates the Sikorsky Memorial Airport, which offers charter air service. B M & T ••• January/February 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 44 AREA GUIDES B R I D G E P O R T • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Stratford Hotel & Conference Center 145 Holiday Inn Bridgeport-Trumbull Fairfield 209 Hyatt House Shelton 127 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Stratford Hotel & Convention Center Total Exhibit Space 5,000 sq. ft WHO YOU GONNA CALL? City Of Bridgeport (203) 576-1311 http://www.bridgeportct.gov Downtown Bridgeport Photo Credit: Wikipedia Captain's Cove in Bridgeport, Connecticut Credit: Ritu Jethani