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B M & T ••• November/December 2020 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 41 MASSACHUSETTS From Plymouth Rock, the site of the 17th century Pilgrims' landing, to Beacon Hill, where a large community of free African-Americans resided in the 19th century, the Bay State is home to some of the most iconic places in U.S. history. Massachusetts' maritime history is evident in the light- houses dotting its coastline. The home of one of the nation's first Black sea captains is one of the 22 sites on the African American Heritage Trail on Martha's Vineyard. That island and other seaside resorts like Cape Cod and Nantucket Island are among the state's most popular recreational attractions. Outdoor enthusiasts traveling to Massachusetts will also discover plenty more options, from whale watching excursions in Stellwagen Bank to canoeing on the Concord River. Notable cultural attractions include the Worcester Art Museum in Worcester, the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton and Jacob's Pillow, and the nation's oldest inter- national dance festival, in Becket. BOSTON Famous for its hospitality and friendly spirit, Greater Boston is one of the premier meeting destinations in the United States. Bean Town has a thriving economy, history and charm, which make it ideal for both business and pleasure. Each year, it welcomes over 18 million visitors, convention delegates. Boston has a plethora of convention and event facili- ties that can host events of all types and sizes, each offer- ing you their own unique advantages. Located in the heart of Boston's beautiful, historic and restaurant-rich Back Bay, the Hynes Convention Center has long been a favorite business destination for mid-sized shows, special events and expositions. It also offers meeting space. The Hynes is in close proximity to the Boston Exhibition and Convention Center (BCEC), and in the heart of Boston's most popular hotels, historical sites, and tourist attrac- tions. The BCEC is one of the most spectacular, and most user-friendly convention centers. Built from the inside out, the 1.6 million-sq. ft. facility has everything you need to stage a successful event. The Center boasts 516,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, 84 meeting rooms, a 40,020-sq. ft., column-free grand ballroom, and over 300,000 sq. ft. of registration and function space. For more intimate gatherings, Boston offers a dozen conference centers, including the Boston Executive con- ference Center, Conference Center at Waltham Woods, and the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School, to name a few. Need more options? The Greater Boston area has more than 127 hotels that offer state-of-the-art, flexible meeting space that can accommodate meetings with 10 to 10,000 attendees. Choices include Embassy Suites Hotel – Boston/Waltham, Homewood Suites by Hilton – Boston/Cambridge-Arlington, Boston Omni Parker Hotel, and one of the area's largest properties, the 1054- room Boston Park Plaza, able to accommodate 2,000 for receptions and 1,130 for banquets in its 13,215-sq. ft. Imperial Ballroom. When to workday is done, there is no shortage of things to do and see. With campuses in Boston & Nantucket, the Museum of Afro-American History is New England's largest African-American history museum with four national historic sites dating back to the early 1800s and the BLACK HERITAGE TRAIL that attracts visitors from around the world. The Museum preserves the remarkable and vivid history of free African-Americans and white abolitionists whose efforts changed a nation. College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, to grand, five-star resorts. Anchoring Prince George's County's meetings infrastructure is The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, the cornerstone of National Harbor. The expansive property boasts 1996 rooms (includ- ing 110 suites), making it the largest hotel in the metropoli- tan vicinity of Washington DC. It is also the largest non- gaming hotel and convention center on the Eastern Seaboard. Upon entering the 18-story glass atrium in front of the resort, one can expect the best in hospitality from the moment they arrive. The accommodations are vast with sweeping views of the Potomac River and Old Town Alexandria. A river meanders through the multi-level indoor gardens where guests pool around to eat and shop. Late-night excitement can be found in the two-story rooftop Pose Ultra Lounge. Boston Exhibition & Convention Center