Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1094881
THE BUCKEYE STATE PROVES TO BE A TOP DESTINATION TO MEET IN 2018 B Y S O L O M O N J . H E R B E R T I I "Ohio. Find It Here." is Ohio's brand. The brand represents how people actual- ly think and feel about their experiences in Ohio. It is based on an innovative research process that included more than 142 hours of one-on-one interviews that found that Ohio's activities and attrac- tions inspire real, honest and deep con- nections that last forever. Business trav- elers and leisure travelers alike will be pleased with the level of hospitality the state has to offer. TourismOhio strives to make Ohio a destination of choice, enriching lives through authentic travel experiences. TourismOhio aggressively positions Ohio as a relevant travel destination and sup- ports Ohio's tourism industry to drive eco- nomic prosperity throughout the state. Tourism marketing programs helped gen- erate 212 million visits to The Buckeye State and $43 billion in sales in 2016. While Ohio has gained momentum in attracting visitors from outside Ohio, research also showed a lack of aware- ness about the state and the emotional experiences that people share when visit- ing. The brand reinforces, on an emotion- al level, the joy, happiness, excitement and shared connections people experi- ence in Ohio. • • CINCINNATI • • Explore the new downtown hotels, restaurants, entertainment districts and casino. Learn about two state-of-the-art convention centers and unique special event venues. Whether you're planning a focused business summit or a multi- venue national convention, Cincinnati offers numerous options of meeting ven- ues which vary in size and style. Cincinnati's major meeting facility, the Duke Energy Convention Center, can accommodate 75 percent of the existing convention, conference and meetings market in the United States. The Center's 750,000 gross sq. ft. includes 200,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 40,000- sq. ft. Grand Ballroom, an additional 17,400-sq. ft. ballroom, and 30 deluxe breakout rooms. More than 3,200 hotel rooms - from headquarter hotels to stylish boutiques are within 3 blocks of the Duke Energy Convention Center. The easy-to-navigate footprint allows attendees to explore the city, with countless restaurants, clubs, attractions and live music a 2-minute walk from their hotel. They can mix and mingle rather than wasting time being shuttled. When the meetings end in Cincinnati, the fun just begins. Cincinnati has under- gone a dramatic transformation in recent years with more than $2 billion in down- town and Riverfront development. This region boasts an outstanding lineup of arts and cultural attractions. Cincinnati USA has much to offer mul- ticultural visitors, from the one-of-a-kind National Underground Railroad Freedom Center museum, to an array of art muse- ums, while foodies will be in heaven too, with more than 4,000 restaurants ranging from four-star French to Cincinnati-style chili. Cincinnati is located within 500 miles of 60 percent of the U.S. population. The Cincinnati Municipal Airport has more flights than most in the region and was named as one of the world's best. the city is easily accessible from I-71 and I-75 for attendees who drive in. • • CLEVELAND • • Clevelanders know that you have to work hard for every dollar you earn. And they want value when they spend those dollars. So, that's what they offer their guests – value. High quality experiences at a fraction of the cost you'd pay in some other metropolitan cities. An SMG-managed Center, the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland provides more than 400,000 sq. ft. of prime meeting and event space. Connected to the 600-room Hilton Cleveland Downtown and within walking distance of nearly 5,000 hotel B M & T ••• November/December 2018 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 34 O H I O AREA GUIDES • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza 488 Hyatt Regency Cincinnati 477 Millennium Hotel Cincinnati 846 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Duke Energy Convention Center Total Exhibit Space 200,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 30 Largest Ballroom 40,000 sq. ft. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Cincinnati CVB – (800) 543-2613 www.cincyusa.com Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky African-American Chamber Of Commerce www.african-americanchamber.com Cincinnati Skyline Photo Credit: Cincinnati CVB