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Virginia Special Advertising Section NORFOLK The renovated downtown harbor of Norfolk is brimming with shops and eateries and decorated with more than two dozen mermaid sculptures giving it a welcoming feel. In the past years, Norfolk has become increasingly pop- ular with vacationers embarking on cruises. Do to this demand, the city has recently finished construction of their new state-of-the art Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center. Since opening its doors to passengers in April 2007, over 230,000 passengers have passed through its portals with Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines calling Norfolk their home port. The Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center is also a magnifi- cent venue, hosting a variety of special events and meetings. The pier is with- in walking distance of Norfolk’s pre- mier downtown hotels. Centrally located on the Eastern Statues on exhibit at the Chrysler Museum of Art Photo Credit: Norfolk CVB Seaboard, Norfolk is only hours from two thirds of the U.S. population, making traveling there and meeting there especially convenient. Norfolk offers over 5,000 rooms and many of its hotels are located within walking distance of the city’s downtown meeting venues, shopping, dining, attractions and nightlife. If trans- portation is needed a car, cab or Norfolk Electric Transit (a free shuttle bus serv- ice running through downtown) ride would never take more than 15 minutes to get to any downtown location. The Doubletree Hotel Norfolk Airport welcomes its guests with their signature S TAT S HOTEL warm Doubletree chocolate chip cookies, while providing executive accommoda- tions, guestrooms and suites. The hotel is attached to The Gallery at Military Circle, a fashion mall with over 120 stores, a variety of eateries and an 18-theatre Cineplex. It is only four miles from Norfolk International Airport. Norfolk’s Waterside Convention Center contains 36,365 sq. ft. of function space, as well as 19 meeting rooms. It can accommodate 2,400 guests in a reception, 2,000 guests in a theater set-up, and 1,400 guests for a banquet. When visiting Norfolk in the summer months, be sure to check the events cal- endar for the annual Bayou Boogaloo and Cajun Food Festival. This popular 3-day festival delivers the heart and soul of Louisiana to visitors at Town Point Park in true Cajun and Creole style. The event features three stages with national record- ing artists and many local New Orleans musicians, unique art, live music, a hot pep- per and crawfish chow-down contests, Jackson Square-style free caricature artist sketches, roaming jugglers, mask making and more! ROANOKE Roanoke, in the Roanoke Valley, allows travelers to experience the variety of all four spectacular seasons in the beauti- ful Blue Ridge Mountains of western Virginia. The Valley is recognized for its railroad heritage, many festivals and nearby shopping including hand-made crafts and Virginia specialty items. The Roanoke Valley is the largest metropolitan area in western Virginia with attractions including the Rescue Museum, Mill Mountain Zoo, Dixie Caverns, the Natural Bridge, Smith Mountain Lake and the National D-Day Memorial. Roanoke is a pleasant city with lots of activities to keep visitors busy. A vast array of outdoor recreation is available 76 Black Meetings & Tourism March/April 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com ROOMS Candlewood Suites Norfolk Airport 120 Courtyard Norfolk Downtown 137 Doubletree Hotel Norfolk Airport 200 Norfolk Waterside Marriott 397 Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel 476 EXHIBITION FACILITIES WATeRSiDe cONveNTiON ceNTeR total exhibit space largest hall meeting rooms 36,365 sq. ft. 14,400 sq. ft. 19 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Norfolk CVB – (800) 368-3097 www.visitnorfolktoday.com