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•Pg_54-74__BMT_pg86-162 4/30/13 9:51 PM Page 58 AREA GUIDES sizes, fully equipped with 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 17 meeting rooms as well as 276 luxurious hotel guest rooms including 11 spectacular suites. While in Jackson visitors are encouraged to explore the many entertaining and educational experiences the city has to offer. Celebrate the heritage of the City with Soul at a captivating Jackson historical site. Visit the home of celebrated author Eudora Welty. Groove to the rhythms and beats of an authentic blues juke joint. Learn about the Civil Rights Movement at the Medgar Evers home. From slavery and the tumultuous Civil Rights era, Jackson's African-American residents have emerged as a major force for the city's development and leadership. Relive a dramatic and inspirational story as you visit fascinating Jackson Black history sites such as Ace Records Blues Trail Marker, Black Arts Music Society, The Alamo Theater and The Farish Street Baptist Church just to name a few. Wanda Collier-Wilson is president and CEO of the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau, a position she has served in since 1998. She leads a 22member cadre that includes the management and staff of the WANDA COLLIER-WILSON Mississippi Telecommunications & Con-ferencing Center. Collier-Wilson joined the CVB 24 years ago as receptionist and has held every position at the Bureau prior to becoming president and CEO. Contact CollierWilson and her team for booking your next event. • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Jackson Marriott-Downtown 303 The Hilton-Jackson Hotel & Convention Center 276 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Jackson Convention Complex Total Exhibit Space 60,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 79 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Jackson CVB – (800) 354-7695 www.visitjackson.com 58 Jackson International is the commercial airport serving Jackson. Airlines serving Jackson are American Eagle, Continental, Delta, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines and US Airways Express. • • BILOXI • • Biloxi is a city in Harrison County, which is part of the Gulfport-Biloxi metropolitan area. The beachfront of Biloxi lies directly on the Mississippi Sound, with barrier islands scattered off the coast and into the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi Gulf Coast boasts a variety of flexible meeting venues to suit any event and nearly 13,000 hotel rooms to meet your whole family. Other family attractions include Gulf Islands Water Park, the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, Biloxi Shrimping Trip, as well as Ship Island Excursions, just to name a few for you to enjoy during your stay. Whether you take an eco-tour to view the wildlife or rent a kayak and paddle on one of the region's unspoiled rivers and bayous, you are certain to unwind while experiencing nature at its most pristine. Conference attendees will certainly find that visiting the Gulf Coast offers you a wide variety of choices and experiences, from the hottest casino action to the natural solitude of the backwoods. Commercial air service is available to Mississippi Coast Convention Center housing needs. Looking for a fresh, spacious place to host your next convention, conference or meeting? Look no further than the Mississippi Coast Convention Center, the premiere destination for exhibitors, meeting planners and beyond. This 400,00-sq. ft., first-class facility offers all the modern amenities meeting-planners desire. Plus, the venue is ideally located on the beach in one of the fastest-growing resort destinations in the nation! With plenty of hotel rooms in Biloxi and within the Gulf Coast region there shouldn't be a problem finding the right hotel to house conference attendees. Grand Biloxi Casino, Hotel & Spa, Beau Rivage Hotel & Casino as well as the South Beach Biloxi Hotel & Suites are just a few of the fine lodging facilities Biloxi has to offer Along with providing a comfortable environment for your meeting, Biloxi and the surrounding Gulf Coast region offers some of the most interesting, recreational and educational activities. The Family Fun Center in Biloxi and Barnacle Bill's in Waveland now offer miniature golf for the B M & T ••• March/April 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Photo Credit: Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB most major cities from Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, and there are several major airlines servicing the Gulf Coast. Ground transportation includes many options: independent taxi companies, nationally affiliated rental car agencies, limousine services, shuttles, and buses. • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Beau Rivage Hotel & Casino 1,740 Grand Biloxi Casino, Hotel & Spa 500 South Beach Biloxi Hotel & Suites 97 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Mississippi Coast Convention Complex Total Exhibit Space 134,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 28 African-American Chamber of Commerce (215) 751-9501 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB (888) 467-4853 www.gulfcoast.org Mississippi Black Chamber of Commerce (MBCC) (601) 421-8556