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B M & T ••• May/June 2022 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 19 National Park as the pampering headquarters. Other area attractions include the Gangster Museum of America, the Mid- American Science Museum and Garvan Woodland Gardens. Little Rock is home to one of the nation's most significant historical landmarks: the Central High School National Historic Site, where a pivotal U.S. school desegregation case began. The Little Rock Nine Memorial, dedicated to the stu- dents involved in the case, is located on the grounds of the State Capitol. Little Rock skyline F Whether it's relaxing at one of the state's luxurious resort spas, claiming a sandy play spot among its 825 miles of beach- es or hitting the inks at a championship golf course, Florida offers visitors plenty of ways to indulge in their favorite pas- times. Covering close to 1.5 million acres, Everglades National Park makes a nice day trip for meeting groups and other trav- elers to Fort Lauderdale. The area also is home to the largest butterfly aviary in North America. To explore Fort Lauderdale's Black heritage, you can tour such attractions as the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, the Old Dillard Museum and the Ashanti Cultural Arts Center. The all-Black Massachusetts 54th regiment fought for the Union in a key Civil War battle at the site of Jacksonville's Olustee Battlefield Monument. Florida's largest city also is home to the historically Black Edward Waters College, where you can browse the African art collection at Centennial Hall on a campus tour. FORT LAUDERDALE The city of Fort Lauderdale knows how to make a meeting planner shine. With the Gold LEED Certified Broward County Convention Center, you'll enjoy high-tech meeting and exhibit space as well as five-star food service, an Internet café and elegant banquet rooms. Organizations of all sizes come to Florida each year to hold their meetings/confer- ences. The highly anticipated $1 billion Convention Center expansion project is underway. The all-new Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center will be big- ger and better with 1.2 million sq. ft. of space. Expansion highlights include an extension of the main Exhibit Hall for a total of 350,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, a new 65,000 sq. ft. ballroom facing the Intracoastal Waterway, an additional 50,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space to accom- modate multiple events or convenient break-outs, an 800- room connecting upscale headquarter hotel operated by Omni Hotels, multiple upgrades including forward-thinking technologies, innovative dining concepts, versatile pre-func- tion space and modern décor that complements Greater Fort Lauderdale's waterfront destination, and an iconic water- front plaza with multiple group event spaces. Delight in an Intracoastal Waterway cruise, where you'll see eye-popping mansions along Millionaire's Row, the mega-yachts of the rich and famous and private islands. From popular cruises like the Jungle Queen Riverboat and Riverfront Cruises, to intimate gondola rides, to Water Taxi – taxi cabs in the water! – to kayak tours for an up close and personalized look at Greater Fort Lauderdale's flora and fauna. Celebrate the spirit of diversity in a friendly beach resort setting. Experience the flavors of Greater Fort Lauderdale. Discover the heritage of the Seminole Indians. Enjoy Caribbean-style and Latin fusion cuisine and some of the South's best soul food and BBQ. And be sure to visit the Fort Lauderdale Skyline gphoto credit: Wikipedia.