Black Meetings and Tourism

September / October 2022

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MEET IN PALMETTO STATE AND YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED B Y R U F U S M C K I N N E Y South Carolina's beautiful scenery extends from the rolling hills of the Upcountry to the glistening lakes of the mid- lands and the wide, white sandy beaches of its 200-mile Atlantic coastline. The state has a rich history documented by attractive plan- tations and the northwestern foothills, where fierce battles were fought during the Civil War. Charleston, situated on the coast, is a popular tourist destination and site of the first permanent English settlement. Myrtle Beach, a popular resort city famous for its golf, is centered on the sun-drenched 60- mile stretch of coastline on the northern bor- der. Hilton Head, a narrow, barrier island, has 12 miles of beautiful beaches, unspoiled forest, world-class golf courses, tennis resorts, and a relaxed, laid back lifestyle. The state is accessible from several international gateways, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, New York, Philadelphia and Raleigh/Durham airports, with connecting services to domestic air- ports. Now that the Confederate Flag issue has been resolved, the time has come for African-Americans and other people of color to explore this history rich state and let the past be the past. • • COLUMBIA • • Make sure your next event is the most successful ever by meeting in Columbia. Here in the heart of South Carolina, visi- tors experience the excitement of a thriv- ing metropolis with a proud past rich in history and tradition. With over 535,000 sq. ft. of meeting space available in the region (including a 142,500-sq. ft. Convention Center), there are several conventional & unconventional facilities to choose from for your next event. Centrally located in South Carolina's historic state capital, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center is in the middle of an exciting urban scene that includes open-air cafes, deluxe accom modations, live music, exciting sports venues and concert tours. With the tem- perate seasons, Columbia offers your guests a perfect year-round business and social climate with a wide variety of world- class cultural and natural attractions. This dazzling 142,500-sq. ft. facility was designed with you in mind! From abundant pre-function space to beautifully equipped breakout rooms; a 24,700-sq. ft., column free exhibit hall to an exquisite 17,135-sq. ft. ballroom – your next meeting or event is sure to be an overwhelming success! Designed by a professional trainer and meeting planners, the Cooperative Conference Center with 19,257 sq. ft. of meeting space is a unique convention facility. It is located 10 miles north of Columbia between I-20, I-77, and I-26 connections so accessing the major high- ways are easy without fighting heavy traf- fic into Columbia. The center contains 12 meeting rooms with two large ballrooms. Meeting rooms include adjustable, luxury, executive chairs; oversized tables; plenty of compli- mentary parking; state-of-the-art lighting and audiovisual systems with micro- phones at each participant's desk; fast T- 1 Internet connections in every training room; conference room with video con- ferencing; and business center with six computers for participants to check e- mails, fax, and copy. Situated in the heart of downtown, the Marriott Columbia hotel offers the quality accommodations and hallmark service you have come to expect from Marriott. This Columbia hotel offers the right touches to make every guest feel wel- come and a location that provides easy access to Columbia's finest restaurants, shops, nightlife, and museums. Other options include the Hilton® Columbia Center Hotel, Hyatt Place Columbia, Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel, among others. Columbia Metropolitan Airport serves the area with over 35 non-stop flights to nine major airports and can get you almost anywhere in the world in just one stop. • • CHARLESTON • • Charleston is a world-class destina- tion, with an easily accessible airport, beautiful beaches, historic surroundings, B M & T ••• September/October 2022 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 47 AREA GUIDES • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Hilton Garden Inn Columbia Airport 122 Holiday Inn Columbia Downtown 90 Columbia Marriott Hotel 302 DoubleTree by Hilton & Conference Center 237 Hyatt Place Columbia Downtown 130 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center Total Space 142,500 sq. ft. Total Exhibit Space 24,700 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 17,135 sq. ft. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Experience Columbia SC (803) 545-0000 www.experiencecolumbiasc.com S O U T H C A R O L I N A Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center photo credit: Columbia Metropolitan C.C.

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