Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1140472
kitchen, an extensive outdoor patio area, and a convenient location in downtown Los Angeles' Exposition Park, five min- utes from world-class cultural attractions and sport facilities. Ranked seventh in the world for number of passengers and tonnage of air cargo handled, the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) provides conference atten- dees and leisure travelers alike easy and stress free access into the city. • • LONG BEACH • • Located in the heart of sunny Southern California, Long Beach blends urban sophistication with the relaxed atmosphere of a beachside community. Discover unique hotels, world-class attractions like the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific and the Queen Mary, cut- ting-edge museums, award-winning restaurants and a thriving, multi-faceted arts and culture scene. The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center offers more than 400,000 sq. ft. of meeting and exhibit space, with new wiring for the latest tech- nology as well as wireless capability. There are two VIP lounges, a full-service concierge/restaurant reservation desk, hospitality catering and an on-site audio/visual supplier. With 34 Meeting Rooms and A Grand Ballroom, three dynamic Exhibition Halls, Long Beach Arena and the Terrace Theater, the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center is ideal for all types of special events, conventions and tradeshows and is within walking distance to everything. Conference attendees are going to have no problem finding something fun and exciting to get into on down time from a busy day of rigorous meetings and seminars. Leisure travelers can also find interesting family friendly activities to delve into. Come aboard the legendary Queen Mary! Book the Behind the Scenes Guided Tour of the historic ocean liner and World War II troopship, and see restored areas that have been under wraps since the final voyage in 1967, including the Isolation Wards and the aft Machine Rooms. Enjoy a meal, shop and even plan to spend the night in an original First Class Stateroom. The historic cruise ship serves as an excellent venue to hold medium to small sized meetings and party/celebrations. The Queen Mary has a convenient location to the Convention Center, downtown shopping and dining, airports and other Southern California attractions. You can also take a journey of discov- ery through the world's largest ocean at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Meet more than 11,000 animals in over 50 exhibits as you explore sunny Southern Califor-nia and Baja, the frigid waters of the Northern Pacific and the colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific. Long Beach Airport (LGB) provides commercial service to 12 nonstop desti- nations, with connections worldwide. Served by Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways and American Airlines, LGB is the smart choice for your business and leisure travel. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Long Beach Area CVB (800) 452-7829 www.visitlongbeach.com • • PASADENA • • There's a reason Pasadena was the original resort town: Idyllic weather. Mountain views. Neighborhood charm in a convenient location. Today, the city has infused that paradisal allure with metropolitan energy and sophistica- tion, redefining what a getaway can be. Just 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena provides the rare opportunity to host personalized meet- ings with all the benefits of a big city. You'll find easy access to LA airports, plenty of hotel space and a vibrant cultural scene that welcomes any taste. Anchoring the area's meetings industry, the Pasadena Convention Center is a complex comprised of four buildings where events take place. The facility features 97,000 sq. ft. of exhibit spaces, a 25,000-sq. ft. ball- room, 29 breakout rooms, 25,000 sq. ft. of pre-function space, 17,000-sq. ft. historic Civic Exhibition Hall, 3,000- seat Pasadend Civic Auditorium, and 22,000-sq. ft. plaza. Planners will have no problem find- ing accommodations that fit the needs of their group. Options include the 314-room Courtyard Marriott in Old Pasadena, 307-room Hilton Pasadena, and 189-room Hyatt Place Pasadena, to name a few. Recreational opportu- nities are plentiful too, everything from the Angeles National Forest, Boston Court Performing Arts Center, and the Brookside Golf Course, to Discanso Gardens, the Norton Simon Museum and Old Pasadena. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? PASADENA CVB – (800) 307-7977 www.visitpasadena.com Long Beach Convention Center with Queen Mar y in background photo credit: Long Beach CVB AREA GUIDES B M & T ••• May/June 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 62