Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1140472
you with all the support services you need to make your conference there a success. Getting to Atlantic City is a breeze, thanks to the convenient Atlantic City Inter- national Airport (ACY). Located just 12 minutes from downtown Atlantic City and serviced by ultra low cost carrier Spirit Airlines, Air Canada, and Choice Aire, ACY serves more than 1 million passengers per year on thousands of flights to Atlantic City. • • NEWWARK • • Visiting Newark is like eating a bag of your favorite potato chips – it's hard to just have one. Newark's a happening place for a fraction of the price of New York City, all just 8 short miles from Manhattan, 10 minutes from the Meadowlands' American Dream, and only an hour and half from Philadelphia. The urban heart of New Jersey, Newark is the state's biggest metropolis and is home to an arts and cul- ture renaissance that features major per- forming arts and sports venues as well as restaurants, galleries and museums. Many of the city's highlights are within easy walking distance of each other in the downtown corridor, like the glittering NJ Performing Arts Center, a stunning per- formance venue that hosts national and international headline performers. Or New Jersey's largest museum complex, the Newark Museum , which houses an intimate planetarium, the restored Ballantine Victorian mansion, New Jersey-centric natural history displays and a prestigious collection of fine art painting and sculptures. The museum just celebrated its centennial in 2009. The recently opened Prudential Center offers 200,000-sq. ft. convention center is designed for entertainment, recreation as well as to host large con- ferences and events. It is the largest conference space in downtown Newark, fitted with state-of-the-art technology. The space was designed to be a multi- purpose facility housing a 3,500-seat event center, a Natatorium, a Running track, an Indoor turf field and two multi- purpose gymnasiums. For centuries, African-American culture has been a major contributor to the fabric of America, and this cul- tural contribution is especially visible in Newark. It is a heritage seen in every neighborhood and ward, from the city's historic churches to its restaurants, art galleries, music festi- vals, cultural institutions and gift shops. So whether you're visiting Brick City on business or taking a fun weekend tour, there's always time to explore the rich traditions of Newark's African American past, present and future. Clinton Memorial AME Zion Church occupies the oldest active Black congre- gation in Newark, having been estab- lished in 1822. Visit its Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings from July to November for fresh produce, nutrition classes, and health screenings. Aljira, A Center for Contemporary Art, is located in the heart of downtown Newark. This contemporary art center features exhibits and community events by well-known and emerging African American artists. The African Soul Festival, located in Military Park in July of 2018, will be the largest celebration of culture and her- itage of Africans on the continent and in the diaspora in the state of New Jersey. This free family friendly celebration will bring out over 200 vendors featuring food, music, cloth- ing, artifacts as well as entertain- ment from the diaspora. Heading the team at the Greater Newark CVB is President- /CEO Karin Aaron, who is eager to assist your association bring its next meeting or convention to Newark. Newark is a transportation hub and traveling could not be any easier with Newark Liberty International Airport right at their doorstep. Enjoy quick and easy access to NYC 24 hours a day via subway (PATH), NJ TRANSIT or Amtrak. B M & T ••• May/June 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 59 AREA GUIDES • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Marriott Hotel Newark Airport 585 Hilton Newark Penn Station 253 Ramada Plaza Newark Airport 410 Wyndham Garden Newark Airport 350 DoubleTree by Hilton Newark Airport 504 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Prudential Center Total Exhibit Space 200,000-sq. ft. Event Center 3,500-sq. ft. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Greater Newark CVB (973) 735-2135 www.newwarkhappening.com Panorama view of Newark photo credit: Greater Newark CVB