Black Meetings and Tourism

Jan/Feb 2013

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•Pg_50-58__BMT_pg86-162 2/27/13 8:50 AM Page 56 AREA GUIDES BATON ROUGE LOUISIANA'S CAPITAL CITY TOP MEETING DESTINATION BY SOLOMON J. HERBERT II Uncover the secrets of one of America's fastest growing cities and immerse yourself into the many landscapes that define Louisiana's capital city. From the legendary Southern cuisine that tantalizes taste buds to the renowned action of The LSU Fighting Tigers and SU Jaguars, to the blossoming film and television industry, Baton Rouge's past is intriguing and its hospitality and charm is contagious. With plenty of opportunities to explore the history, culture, music, and food, Baton Rouge offers meeting planners the perfect mix of work and play. Choose from a variety of traditional and upscale hotels and an array of unique venues for offsite meetings and events. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the Baton Rouge River Center expansion has completely transformed downtown Baton Rouge. The entire complex, including the existing Arena and Theatre for the Performing Arts, as well as the new Exhibition Hall, includes more than 200,000 sq. ft. of new and renovated space, and incorporates state-of-the-art exhibition, meeting rooms, concession and kitchen facilities. The new 70,000sq. ft. Exhibition Hall can be combined with the existing Arena to create more than 100,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space and a total of 19 breakout-meeting rooms. For a unique and informal meeting place, utilize the outdoor pavilion and picnic area at BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo for your next event. On-site catering is available for a picnic lunch or a seated dinner. Conference attendees can hop on for a train ride or explore by foot and discover the 1,800 mammals, bird, reptiles and fish that can be found in the 147-acre zoo. Planners can even schedule a meeting at LSU's Hilltop Arboretum and surround your group with the beautiful sights and sounds of nature. The 56 Baton Rouge River Center Arboretum consists of an extensive collection of Louisiana trees and shrubs cultivated on 14 beautiful acres. The open-air assembly pavilion extends out over the pond on piers and can be used for a variety of meetings and events. Conference attendees will experience southern hospitality at its finest with the many options they will have to choose from when it comes to hotel accommodations in Baton Rouge. Holiday Inn South is Baton Rouge's largest full-service hotel offering 333 deluxe guest rooms and over 11,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space. The hotel's accommodations include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fitness center, restaurant and lounge, high-speed Internet access and a 24-hour business center. The Crowne Plaza is a full-service hotel with over 30,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space. This hotel is fully equipped with a restaurant, lounge, extensively stocked gift shop, outdoor pool and 3,000-sq. ft. gym. There are 294 beautifully appointed guest rooms with complimentary wireless Internet access. Conference attendees and leisure travelers alike will find Baton Rouge is the perfect place to experience great music, attractions, adventures and activities. From the distinct tastes of the local cuisine to the soulful sounds of blues, gospel, Cajun and Zydeco, Baton Rouge celebrates life to the fullest. Spend a night on the town at one of the B M & T ••• January/February 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Photo Credit: Baton Rouge CVB many live music clubs for rhythm & blues or Cajun two-step as part of the experience at restaurant/dance halls like Boutin's. Baton Rouge offers several worldclass and local art exhibits. Downtown, the Shaw Center for the Arts features the LSU Museum of Art, the Manship Theatre and multiple dining options. The LSU Museum of Art sprawls the entire length of the fifth floor, showcasing more than 17,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space. The museum presents rotating historical and contemporary exhibitions, with selections from the permanent collection always on display. Air travelers have access into the city via the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, which offers service from most major airline carriers. • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Holiday Inn South 333 Crowne Plaza 294 Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center 290 EXHIBITION FACILITIES The Baton Rouge River Center Total Exhibit Space 100,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 70,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 19 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Baton Rouge 800 LA ROUGE www.visitbatonrouge.com

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