Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1468083
B M & T ••• May/June 2022 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 44 ccc AUSTIN ccc When it comes to meetings and conventions, Austin is a city that planners and visitors always agree on. The city's state-of-the-art infrastructure, innovative meeting spaces and world-class hotels are nestled in the center, and the heart, of the city. Within a few walkable blocks you'll also find the famous Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail, leg- endary live music venues and some of the best margaritas in the country. With 900,000 sq. ft. of high-tech, highly desirable meet- ing space right in the heart of downtown, the Austin Convention Center is just steps from much of what makes Austin so dynamic and engaging. In terms of space, the Center offers 247,052 sq. ft. of contiguous, column-free exhibit space; two ballrooms of 40,510 and 23,000 sq. ft. each; and 54 meeting rooms. Austin Boasts 46,000 hotel ooms citywide, more than 13,000 of these in the downtown district. Where can you visit cultural assets such as the oldest house in Austin, the first neighborhood African American Museum in Texas, the Arlington Cemetery of Texas, and the oldest institution for higher learning in Austin? The answers to all the above may be found by visiting Austin's African American Cultural Historic District (AACHD). Austin's African American Historic district is six square miles of East Austin, originally created in 1928 as the Negro District by the Austin City Council. East Austin was already the home of the majority African- Americans who built a vibrant and rich culture that includ- ed businesses, churches, schools, two colleges, and fraternal organizations. The Austin–Bergstrom International Airport or ABIA is a Class C international airport, which serves the Greater Austin metropolitan area providing flights to most destinations in the country. Austin downtown Skyline Texas is divided into seven geographic regions with widely different landscapes. You've got beaches. You've got rolling hills and canyons. You've got seven different places in one. Explore the different regions and the diverse cities within them to find the perfect destination that suits your group's needs the best. The Lone Star state's coastline is dotted with charming beach-towns rich in nostalgic Americana. You'll find street signs topped with American flags, retro diners, and pastel houses hoisted on stilts. Many of these destinations are also gateways to coastal parks and nature reserves. The great thing about traveling to Texas for ANY event is just that…you can hold just about ANY event of any size here! Thanks to the state's plethora of unique cities and many exciting things to do and see the Lone Star State is a prime destination for planners seeking meeting/event space with top-notch hospitality. Whether you are planning for that next big conference in a larger city like Dallas and Houston or you are organizing a wedding or family reunion in a smaller more quaint city like Arlington and Galveston the state of Texas has got you covered. TEXAS GOLD SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION BY REGGIE MURPHY T E X A S G O L D S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N