Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1094854
B M & T ••• January/February 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 14 American and more. Therefore, there's a lot of family culture and food to be experienced. There are authentic Portuguese and Brazilian neighborhoods that have been here for gener- ations. When you come into Newark's Ironbound district, you'll be immersed in authentic Portuguese and Brazilian cuisine. In this neighborhood, many of the streets and walkways remain just as they were a century ago. There's no commercializing as the streets boast genuine bakeries, dress shops, wines and sangria reminiscent of their original prepara- tion 100 years ago. Newark has a large number of African- American churches that date back to the 1800s. It is also one of the birthplaces of Jazz, where Sara Vaughan and many others got their start. Some of the historical sites in Newark are the landmarks and communities that tell the story of the Underground Railroad and how African-Americans coura- geously made their way out of bondage, to a life of freedom. Regarding meetings Prudential Center and the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Wellness and Events Center are the new favorites for large-scale meetings and events. Their large number of classrooms and open space is a perfect fit for training and con- ferences. With over 4,000 guestrooms (and growing) and 110,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, the Greater Newark region offers a wonderful savings for your next event. Plan your stay during one of these fun annual events: Lincoln Park Music Festival, a 3-day music festival, featuring all types of music, including jazz, Gospel, House and Hip-Hop; The Newark Inter-national Film Festival, a 3-day festival showcasing the breadth of the film industry including screenings, stunt exhibi- tions, pitch opportunities and auditions for TV and film; The Newark Arts Festival, which celebrates the rich diversity of the city's arts scene, allowing participants to experience exhibitions, studio tours, performances and screenings. A B O U T K A R I N : Karin Aaron is married to her husband Rodney and they have 3 adult sons. Karin is also the mama of a feisty Yorkie named Kandi. The couple travels frequently and prefers to visit culturally unique destina- tions and traveling abroad. She has her Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) designation, is an active member of the New Jersey Tourism Industry Association (NJTIA) and an association member with the New Jersey Destination Management Organization (NJDMO.) Aaron also enjoys exercising and listening to opera and classical music. She is passionate about sports and the need to promote sports tourism. Aaron currently holds her Certified Sports Event Executive (CSEE) designation and recently served as Fundraising Chair for Special Olympics Loudoun. She also served on the board as Marketing Chair for WISE-DC, "Women in Sports and Entertainment." photo credit:Jan Hanus Panorama view of New Jersey City