Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/129161
•pg_45-53__BMT_pg3-58 4/30/13 9:30 PM Page 48 LONG BEACH Dinning on the regal Queen Mary docked at Long Beach's port, experiencing spectacular stirring Broadway shows, enjoying live music venues and hundreds of exclusive dining destinations — all centrally located, Long Beach, CA has it all. Within conveniently close proximity you can find first-class accommodations, shopping, numerous entertainment options and more than 100 restaurants in an eightblock area. To get around Long Beach easily, you'll want to utilize the free Passport shuttle downtown; then, for only $1.25, the Passport links you up with local destinations such as Belmont Shore, Alamitos Bay and Cal State Long Beach. You can also navigate the Long Beach Harbor via AquaBus and/or AquaLink. World-class arts and cultural exhibitions complement this spectacular seaside locale. There are musical masterpieces at the waterside Long Beach Performing Arts Center, million-dollar ocean views atop the bluffs at the Museum of Art within the historic Craftsman mansion, and the dynamic culture of the eclectic East Village Arts District. Queen Mary Hotel, Long Beach Photo Credit: Long Beach CVB Many plan their visit to Long Beach to sync up with the Aquarium of the Pacific's African-American Festival; an annual February event featuring live gospel singers, hip hop music, ethnic food, storytelling, drum circles, jazz, as well as African music and dance. For those attending a meeting or Convention at the award winning Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center (LBCEE), you'll be glad to know that recently over $75 million has been spent in hotel and convention center renovations at this award winning facility. The LBCEE offers more than 400,000 sq. ft. of meeting and exhibit space, with new wiring for the latest technology, as well as wireless capability. The center has incorporated the new model for contemporary convention centers into its renovation efforts; transforming it from traditional, meeting rooms into more comfortable lounges aimed at encouraging people to mingle and ideas to flow. It now provides a warm, stylish and welcoming social experience for guests with mini meeting spots and networking pods for sitting, talking and socializing. SAN JOSE San Jose is amongst the easiest cities to navigate. Those flying into San Jose arrive via Mineta San Jose International Airport, which is most convenient and located only five minutes from downtown. Once downtown, guests find the area very walkable with accessible train, bus and light rail services. Tucked away in San Jose's Rose Garden neighborhood is the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium www.egyptianmuseum.org, housing a replica of an 48 Egyptian temple and a restored planetarium, as well as a landscaping scheme that evokes the feeling of an ancient Egyptian garden. Those seeking more daring ventures, make it a point to add Great America to their itinerary with its amusement park rides and waterpark, as well as Raging Waters — Northern California's largest water park. San Jose Museum of Art Photo Credit: San Jose CVB Three thousand of San Jose's hotel rooms are within walking distance or a short light rail ride away, along with dozens of restaurants, museums, theaters and events at the San Jose Convention Center. The Convention Center has 143,000 sq. ft. of column-free exhibit space, with room for 800 10' x 10' booths; a 22,000-sq. ft. ballroom; as many as 31 meeting rooms with capacities from 50 to 2,400 in theaterstyle seating; and banquet seating and kitchen facilities for 5,000. LOS ANGELES Los Angeles, one of the most famous cities in the world for its glitz and glam, star studded streets and a ranch, which transformed into the historical center of film studios and starlets — Hollywood. One of the best ways to experience Los Angeles is by visiting its cultural attractions; the LA Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall; outdoor performances at the Hollywood Bowl; the stunning Getty Center in Brentwood and the California African-American Museum to name a few. Leisure travelers and meeting planners alike enjoy scheduling their arrival to LA around a Lakers or Clippers game at the world famous Staples Center or during one of the city's famous events like the UCLA Jazz & Reggae Festival, Juneteenth Celebration or B M & T ••• March/April 2013••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com