Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1401511
to stylish boutiques are within three blocks), exemplary shopping, world- class dining, a lively arts and music scene and a burgeoning downtown theater district, you're guaranteed a meeting experience unlike any other. And thou- sands more rooms are a few minutes away throughout Cincinnati and on the Kentucky riverfront. The Cincinnati Duke Energy Convention Center recently underwent a $135 million expansion and renova- tion to become the Midwest's best-in- class center. The expansion means Cincinnati can accommodate 75 percent of the existing convention, conference and meetings market in the United States. Its easy-to-navigate footprint allows attendees to explore the city, with countless restaurants, clubs, attractions and live music a 2-minute walk from their hotel. They can mix and mingle rather than wasting time being shuttled. The facility offers 750,000 gross sq. ft., which includes 200,000 contiguous sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 40,000-sq. ft. Grand Ballroom, an additional 17,400-sq. ft. ballroom, and 30 deluxe breakout rooms. When the meetings end in Cincinnati, the fun just begins. Cincinnati has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years with more than $2 billion in downtown and Riverfront development. The region boasts an outstanding lineup of arts and cultural attractions. Attendees can take in a Reds or Bengals game, visit art museums or put a couple bucks down on a roulette wheel. And foodies will be in heaven too, with more than 4,000 restaurants ranging from four-star French to Cincinnati-style chili. There are so many things to do, places to go, stores to shop, and restau- rants to sample that no visit seems long enough. And if sports is your thing, in addition to the Reds and Bengals, there are the Cyclones, Bearcats, Musketeers and more than 75 golf courses waiting to take your game to the next level. No visit to Cincinnati would be com- plete without taking in the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The Freedom Center uses exhibits and educational programs from the era of the Underground Railroad to inspire modern action by promoting a better understanding of freedom today. The Center also makes the perfect alter- nate venue for your conference, offering 6,816 sq. ft. of meeting space able to accommodate banquets and theater style seating for 300, and for classroom style seating for 350. Cincinnati has several other major indoor arenas within 10 miles of the Duke Energy Convention Center, and many feature adjacent meeting space. These include the Sharonville Convention Center (seats 1,000), Fifth Third Arena at UC (seats 13,176), and Cintas Center (seats 10,250 in arena), among others. Cincinnati USA is less than a half- day car ride from 60% of the U.S. popu- lation. Interstates I-75, I-71 and I-74 link Cincinnati USA to the rest of the coun- try. Cincinnati has more flights into and out of the area than any other city with- in a two-hour radius. Cincinnati location is within 500 miles or a one-hour flight of 60% of the U.S. population. The Cincinnati/-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) offers 150 daily departures with nonstop connec- tions to around 50 destinations. For more information visit www.cin- cyusa.com or call Cincinnati USA CVB at (800) 543-2613. B M & T ••• July/August 2021 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 24 DENVER, CO When it comes to meeting plan- ning, Denver has it all: A state-of- the-art convention center; a central location; an international airport; a walkable downtown district packed with shopping, dining, nightlife and cultural attractions; thousands of hotel rooms; and a convention bureau that knows how to create a successful event. Located in heart of Downtown Denver, one of the most visitor- friendly downtowns in the country, and within walking distance of 9,400 hotel rooms, the Colorado Convention Center is ideal for any size meeting or convention group. The facility boasts 584,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, the 50,000- sq. ft., Mile High Ballroom, 35,000- sq. ft. Four Seasons Ballroom, 63 meeting rooms, and the auditorium- style Bellco Theatre with fixed seat- ing for 5,000. Denver has a downtown hotel package that puts a smile on a meet- ing planner's face, with more than 11,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of the Colorado Convention Center and 50,000 metro-wide with all brands and price points represented. Included are the adjacent 1,100-room Hyatt Regency, the 1,200-room Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, the 248- room Hyatt Place Denver Downtown, and the 430-room Westin Denver Downtown. Downtown also boasts upscale boutique hotels like the Five Diamond Ritz-Carlton Denver, Four Seasons Denver, Brown Palace Hotel & Spa, Hotel Teatro, Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver, The Curtis – Duke Energy Convention Center