Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1498279
tions and dinners. As a "green" building, the Center's design, construction, and operations conform to benchmarks set by the U.S. Green Building Council and is LEED Gold certified. The Center has been certified as an "E-Level" Green Workplace through the Yale Office of Sustainability since April 2011. Conference attendees and leisure travelers alike are encouraged to explore New Haven and its plethora of historical sites and attractions. The first stop for history buffs is the New Haven Mus- eum. Travel thro-ugh time as the region developed from a colonial village into an industrial pow- erhouse with con- tributions by household names including Eli Whitney, Oliver Winchester and Charles Goodyear. The region lays claim to many "firsts", including the corkscrew, lol- lipop, hamburger sandwich and Frisbee. • • • STAMFORD • • • Stamford is Connecticut's second largest city with a population of over 135,400, rich in cultural diversity that features a rapidly growing tech startup community, a strong healthcare sys- tem, top-tier schools, an unemploy- ment rate well below the federal and state level, and residential options for all ages and income levels. Stamford is often called the "Gateway to Connecticut" given its proximity toNew York City with Metro North express trains to Grand Central in 48 minutes, making this city en excellent choice to hold small meet- ings, weddings and family reunions. In a city as spirited, lively, and diverse as Stamford, there is always something to do. Whether you're walking the 19 miles of shoreline, drinking and dining at the bars down- town, or hiking the scenic trails of North Stamford, you'll quickly find that there is never a dull moment in this city. The Stamford Town Center mall boasts 130 shops including J. Crew, H&M, Macy's, Saks off Fifth, and Brooks Brothers as well as an assort- ment of restaurants. Whether you're in Stamford for business or pleasure, be sure to see a show at The Palace Theatre, spend some time with nature at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, go kayaking on Long Island Sound at SoundWaters, or take selfies with more than 100 works of public art! WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Stamford Government Center (203) 977-5168 www.choosestamford.com • • • HARTFORD • • • The Connecticut River, centerpiece to the River Valley region, soothingly meanders from Suffield to Old Saybrook. Along the way, visitors can stop in Hartford, the Constitution State's Capital, for a glimpse of Connecticut's history, or explore the River Valley for rest, relaxation and family fun. The town makes for an excellent location for an event small or large. Limitlessly functional and endlessly customizable, the 540,000 square foot Connecticut Convention Center is the largest convention facility between New York and Boston. The Hartford venue combines ample meet- ing space – including 140,000 square feet of exhibition space, a 40,000 square foot ballroom and 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting space – with visually stunning touches, cre- ating the ideal backdrop for any event. The center serves as the states main location for large-scale conferences and trade shows. There is a lot of rich African- American history in Hartford. Conference attendees and leisure travelers are encouraged to visit some of the historic sites including the African American Memorial, the Amistad Center for Art & Culture, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Freedom Trail Quilts Museum of Connecticut History and the Lemuel R. Custis Gravesite Cedar Hill Cemetery just to name a few. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Connecticut Tourism Office (888) 288-4748 www.ctvisit.com/Hartford B M & T ••• May/June 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 67 AREA GUIDES Omni Hotel at Yale. New Haven • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS The Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale 306 Courtyard by Marriott New Haven Orange/Milford 115 Courtyard by Marriott New Haven Wallingford 149 Hilton Homewood Suites 121 New Haven Hotel 135 Saybrook Point Resort & Marina – Old Saybrook 82 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Maurice R. Greenberg Conference Center at Yale University Total Space 13,647 sq. ft. Largest Hall 541 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 9 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit New Haven – (203) 777-8550 www.visitnewhaven.com