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B M & T ••• March/April 2022 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 43 FORT LAUDERDALE F ort Lauderdale is one of Florida's most beautiful destinations, offering meeting planners plenty of options for a meeting or gathering of just about any size. From large 1,000+ delegate conferences to weddings and family reunions this beach city has got you covered. A $1.1 billion expansion of the Greater Fort Lauderdale | Broward County Convention Center is currently underway. Phase One opened October 2021 with the expanded 800,000 sq. ft. center including 350,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, nearly doubling the size of the previous exhibit hall. In 2025, this sensational venue will be even bigger and better at 1.2 million sq. ft. with the new exhibit space, a 65,000 sq. ft. waterfront ballroom, plus original dining concepts, enhanced water taxi access and a new expansive waterfront plaza with dining and entertainment in a park-like atmosphere. The conven- tion center expansion project adds an additional 525,000+ sq. ft. of meeting space over the previous center configuration and an 800-room headquarters hotel. It takes full advantage of the amenities of this beautifully scenic location on the Intracoastal Waterway, focused on a mix of activities associat- ed with the Intracoastal and nearby Port Everglades, consis- tently ranked as one of the three busiest cruise ports in the world. Greater Fort Lauderdale / Broward County is emerging as the most diverse area in the country and it's the gathering place of choice for large professional organizations, including some of the country's most influential African-American groups. The African American Research Library and Cultural Center provides educational tours and genealogical resources for visitors. The library is also nationally noted for programs that preserve and share history in innovative ways. A Disney World quality animatronics display, unveiled in 2015, has become a major attraction for multicultural travel- ers, including family reunions. They are greeted by a lifelike robotic simulation of the library's founder, Samuel Morrison, who narrates the ever-evolving story of the library and the surrounding historic Sistrunk community. Broward County's next big cultural and heritage tourism attraction – a multimillion-dollar tennis training facility and museum that will draw amateur players and enthusiasts of the sport from around the U.S. and the Caribbean to the Greater Fort Lauderdale area – is in development. The American Tennis Association (ATA) will move its headquarters from Maryland to Miramar, and the ATA Black Tennis Museum and Training Facility will create a major hub for tourism in western Broward County, beyond the beaches. Family reunions are drawn to Broward County for the experiences in suburban cities that offer affordable lodging and intergenerational activities. Group or vacation traveler – the area offers a myriad of opportunities to celebrate the spirit of diversity in a friendly resort setting, or beyond the beach. Enjoy the flavors – Caribbean-style and Latin fusion cuisine and some of the South's best soul food and BBQ. Visit the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center. Discover the heritage of the Seminole Indians. Explore some of the gems of diversity the country offers – places with their own unique cultural ambiance. Getting to Ft. Lauderdale is a breeze, thanks to the conveniently-located Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport that has free wireless internet access in all terminals. When you land, you'll be in the heart of Greater Fort Lauderdale, just three miles from hotels, attractions, the beaches, Broward County Convention Center, Port Everglades and just about any- where else you want to be. For more information contact Visit Lauderdale at (800) 22-SUNNY, (954) 765-4466 or www.sunny.org. Fort Lauderdale bay skyline Florida Special Advertising Section