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B M & T ••• January/February 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 37 AREA GUIDES L O U I S I A N A MEETING PLANNERS DISCOVER GREAT SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY IN THE BAYOU STATE B Y B U C K S A M U E L S When you make a list of all the unique things Louisiana has to offer visitors, you quickly see the long-lasting influences of the French, Spanish and African ancestry. The state's past is well preserved in the architecture, music, food and lifestyles – which include amazing festivals – and of course in museums of history and fine arts. It is not an accident that Louisiana clings to the phrase: "Laissez les bon temps rouler." Let yourself get lost in the traditions passed down through genera- tions. Come visit during Mardi Gras when costumed riders parade and magnificent balls are thrown from New Orleans and Baton Rouge to Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Shreveport and beyond. • • NEW ORLEANS • • Whether it's just a couple dozen peo- ple or a convention with tens of thou- sands, New Orleans can host just about any meeting. The city's world-class con- vention facilities offer flexible choices with varying levels of square footage, services and amenities. Meetings in New Orleans, like every- thing else in this city, stay with you long after you've unpacked your conference materials. More than just meetings, they can be game-changing gatherings that inspire free-flowing ideas and forge deep connections. You're company when you're here, and are welcome back any- time! The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, routinely voted one of the nation's top facilities by meeting planners, features more than 1,000,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, 140 meeting rooms, a 4,000-seat auditorium and a 60,000-q. ft. Great Hall. Constantly expanding and improving, the convention center was designed by America's tech giants and remains one of the most advanced in the nation. Not far away on Poydras Street, you'll discover that the Mercedes-Benz Superdome has undergone a major trans- formation. You'll find redesigned Club Lounges, additional escalator access and an outer surface that wows passersby. Next door to the Dome is the Smoothie King Center, another technology-driven facility with several premium meeting spaces. And near the new Armstrong International Airport in Kenner, the Pontchartrain Center offers 46,080 sq. ft. of column-free exhibit and assembly space as well as 14,681 sq. ft. of multi- use meeting rooms. With its diverse venues, robust infra- structure and more than 22,000 hotel rooms, New Orleans has earned its spot at the top of the list of major meeting des- tinations in the United States. And because meeting planners can always use a hand or a sounding board, the New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network, headed by Essence Banks and her team, is here with the tools, resources and know-how to provide your group with support services. Music is where New Orleans' first settlers found common ground and no other city loves music more. Nowhere else does it occur more effortlessly or more joyously. Jazz, America's only original art form, was born here while Rhythm & Blues, Gospel, Cajun and Zydeco all express the rich melting pot that is New Orleans' heritage. Conveniently situated in the central region of the US, New Orleans is ideal for travelers. The Louis Armstrong International Airport is just 20 minutes from city center. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network – (504) 313-1647 New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce (504) 948-0991 • • BATON ROUGE • • Baton Rouge is Louisiana's "Capital City" and the hub of all things Louisiana. With a prime, central location — just an hour away from New Orleans and Lafayette — Baton Rouge is the perfect city to explore the eclectic culture of this amazing state. Louisiana's Capital City highlights the unique music, culture and outdoors that both visitors to Louisiana and locals alike enjoy. With French, Spanish, Creole and Native American roots, the city is rich in its culture and politics. Nicknamed the "Red Stick," Baton Rouge houses over 300 years of history, much of which can be tasted in our food, seen in the archi- tecture and learned through Louisiana State's history. Here, your attendees will find an abun- New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Photo Credit: New Orleans Tourism support services. New Orleans' first settlers found common ground and no other city loves music more. Nowhere else does it occur more effortlessly or more joyously.