Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1250931
hot spot for everything from gourmet to casual beachside cuisine. At night, South Beach comes alive with crowds ready to go out and have a world-class evening out. Miami International Air- port: Offers 97 internation- al and 53 domestic, and non-stop flights daily from more than 100 airlines. It is located in the center of the city and is just 12 miles from the Miami Beach Convention Center. For more information con- tact the Greater Miami CVB at (800) 933-8448 or www.miamiandbeaches.com. ORLANDO As the number one meet- ings and convention destina- tion in the country, Orlando offers a world of possibilities for unique one-of-a-kind meetings and events. From a top-rated convention center, low-cost accessibility and wide variety of hotels to world-class entertainment and unforgettable experi- ences, Orlando is an exciting gateway city for meetings of all sizes. Whether an intimate group of 20 or a large con- vention of thousands, Orlando has the space to meet your needs. With one of the largest convention cen- ters in the country and more than 118,000 rooms across the destination, Orlando has your group covered. The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is one of the top convention centers in the country; it's also the second largest. OCCC provides 2.1 million sq. ft. of exhibition space and 480,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space as well. Plus, its convenient location — just 11 miles from Orlando International Airport — with walkability to area hotels and entertainment, make it an enticing option. When your convention center is already one of the best, how do you make it even better? At the OCCC, the answer is more space, more connectivity and more versatility. The coming years will elevate the OCCC into an even more dynamic and sought-after venue, including the following enhancements: North-South Building Expansion: Expected to open in late 2023, this proj- ect includes the new Convention Way Grand Concourse and Multipur- pose Venue. These additions will bring additional space and more options for deliver- ing top-notch events. Convention Way Grand Concourse: This enclosed connection between the North and South concours- es will include 60,000 sq. ft. of additional meeting space, plus an 80,000-sq. ft. ballroom with grand entrance to the North- South building along Con- vention way. Multipurpose Venue: This 200,000-sq. ft., flexible, divis- ible, column-free space will feature a combination of retractable and floor seating to accommodate contiguous exhibit space or 18,000- 20,000 seated guests while incorporating connectivity between the North and South concourses. Other improvements inc- lude Wellness Rooms (ded- icated private space that can be used for nursing mothers, mediation, prayer and more); Networking Spaces (good for informal gatherings and meetings); and Dedicated Rideshare Pickup/Dropoff Locations (make it easier for atten- dees to know where to catch their rides). At the end of the day, meeting attendees want to relax, recharge and be enter- tained. And Orlando serves up the excitement. Options include fine dining. Thriving cultural and entertainment scenes. National and indie music acts. Engaging shows. B M & T ••• March/April 2020 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 21