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DON'T OVERLOOK THIS JEWEL OF A STATE FOR YOUR NEXT MEETING B Y C L E T U S R A M S E Y No other state offers such a unique choice of meeting environments, from quaint country inns to sophisticated urban hotels, spectacular casino resorts to the newest convention center in the Northeast. Connecticut's got it all—fasci- nating attractions, great entertainment choices, New England beauty and charm. Connecticut is served by five major air- ports and 20% of the nation's population lives within a three-hour drive, making it very easy to get to. Are you hosting a meeting, exhibition, convention or sporting event? Connecticut offers an extensive choice of venues, lodging and entertainment options, coupled with the geographic advantage of being centrally located between New York City and Boston. • • • BRIDGEPORT • • • Bridgeport, the most populous city in the state of Connecticut, is located on Long Island Sound and was originally a part of the township of Stratford. Bridgeport is home to over 144,000 resi- dents, 1,300 acres of public land for parks, and 13 officially delineated neigh- borhoods across 16 square miles of land. Landscapes, highways, and commu- nities define Bridgeport's neighborhoods. The city offers a wealth of meeting venues accommodating your groups needs depending on size and theme. The Klein Memorial Auditorium is a 1,447- seat performing arts center that serves as a hub for Bridgeport and surrounding communities. The auditorium is a great venue for holding events, providing a unique location to explore and meet. The Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater locat- ed on the bank of the Long Island Sound in Bridgeport, promises to be the live music entertainment destination for Southwest CT and the entire region. The venue is accessible from I-95, the Merritt Parkway, MetroNorth, Amtrak, and dedi- cated Port Jefferson Ferry. Attention to detail is the hallmark of the 5,700+ seat boutique amphitheater. It is designed to wow. Luxurious details greet you as you enter the building, from custom steel gates and stone walls, the iconic tensile roof, marble bathrooms, food stands in stone, granite counter- tops, twinkle lights reminiscent of the evening sky, four huge video boards, cup holders at every seat, and much, much more. After a long day of conference meet- ings your attendees will want to unwind and see what leisure activities the city has to offer. Some of Bridgeport's attractions include majestic shoreline parks, fascinat- ing museums, regional baseball, hockey, festivals and national musical acts and performances. Also attendees can delve into the city's rich African-American histo- ry. Little Liberia is a historical community in Bridgeport, home of Mary & Eliza Freeman Center as well as Walters A.M.E. Zion church, which happens to be the oldest church in Bridgeport. The mission of The Mary & Eliza Freeman Center for History and Community is to restore, preserve, and ensure the viability of the Mary and Eliza Freeman Houses; teach the history of Connecticut Blacks; revitalize the sur- rounding South End community; and facil- itate the preservation and revitalization of other African American, and greater Bridgeport historic/preservation commu- nities. Bridgeport is located on the Metro- North commuter line, which offers daily service to New York City, and regional service to other areas of Connecticut, and also serves as a stop on Amtrak's regional train lines. • • • NEW HAVEN • • • Home to one of the nation's oldest cities, Greater New Haven is bursting with innovation. Urban streetscapes meet coastal beaches, and famous attractions stand beside hidden gems. There is something for everyone in the New Haven area. Whether you're a Meeting Planner searching for the next great location to hold an event or a first- time visitor hoping to fit the "best of" into a day, weekend, week or longer, you can't go wrong. It's all waiting for you here. No matter the event size there is more than enough hotel space to accom- modate your groups needs. Guests can stay at the Courtyard by Marriott at Yale or Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale. Yale's West Campus neighbors the Homewood Suites Orange providing housing for all conference attendees. Located steps away from New Haven's vibrant downtown, the Greenberg Conference Center is the perfect place for your next event. The building is designed to accommodate a wide range of activities, from confer- ences and corporate retreats to recep- B M & T ••• May/Junel 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 66 C O N N E C T I C U T AREA GUIDES Connecticut Convention Center • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Trumbull Marriott Shelton 325 Courtyard by Marriott Shelton 161 Hilton Garden Inn Shelton 142 Hampton Inn Milford 148 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Connecticut Convention Cente r Total Space 225,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 40,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 40,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 19 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Connecticut Tourism Office (888) 288-4748 www.ctvisit.com/Bridgeport