Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1507211
B M & T ••• September/October 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 28 ballroom and a 55,000-square-foot ballroom. Minneapolis's group-friendly dining means everyone has a seat at the table in the city. Whether it's the famous Jucy Lucy cheese-filled burger, two scoops of over-the-top ice cream, soul food that's as comforting as it is delicious, rooftop happy hour overlooking a vibrant downtown, a restaurant that was featured on the Food Network, business travelers and leisure travelers alike will be able to enjoy The City Of Lakes amazing cuisine. Travelers can stroll from the iconic Sculpture Garden by Loring Park to the picturesque Mississippi river to catch the sunset on the skyline in Northeast. Get the High Score at an all-night pinball bar in Lyn Lake. Or enjoy an incredible Ethiopian meal in Cedar-Riverside. All without ever leaving the city limits. This is what living and exploring Minneapolis is all about. MSP Airport is a Delta hub, located within a 3-hour flight from almost everywhere in the U.S. and the Light rail con- nects attendees straight to the compact, walkable downtown with dozens of entertainment options. ST. PAUL Saint Paul combines urban amenities with historic charm, creating the ideal place for your next meeting. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, Minnesota's Capital City is a short 8-mile drive from the Minneapolis-St Paul airport and features stunning venues, full service hotels and a fully sustainable convention center. Saint Paul's convention complex includes Saint Paul RiverCentre, The Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium, and Xcel Energy Center. Situated in the heart of downtown, this state-of-the-art complex is the premier choice of meeting planners for major conventions, trade shows, meetings and special events. Considered the Upper Midwest's premier convention, event and meeting venue, Saint Paul RiverCentre is connect- ed to downtown hotels, restaurants, shops, museums and the- atres by an indoor skyway system. MISSOURI Missouri is a combination of inner city bustle with an out- doors feel giving travelers an option when it comes to plan- ning a business or leisure trip to this state. Whether your guests prefer the warm, sunny days of spring and summer or the cool, crisp temperatures of fall and winter, Missouri's parks and natural areas are open for adventure year-round. From one of the country's largest city parks to dozens of state parks, conservation areas, national forests and wildlife refuges, there's plenty of room to explore in the Show-Me State. These natural habitats also create unique meeting spaces for groups like reunions, company retreats and fraternal organization gatherings. KANSAS CITY Get ready for an all-new experience in the City of Fountains. From major infrastructure updates like a brand new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport, to a burgeoning creative culture that leaves visitors dazzled, meetings and events in KC are more convenient and captivat- ing than ever. Encompassing more than 800,000 square feet, the Kansas City Convention & Entertainment Facilities can serve all your meeting needs under one roof. The eight-square block convention and special event facility can accommodate every need with 388,800 square feet of column-free exhibit space on one floor; 48 state-of-the-art meeting rooms; a 2,400-seat fine arts theater; an arena that sits more than 10,700 people and a unique outdoor festival plaza. And not only is it all in one location, the complex is connected to major downtown hotels and parking by skywalks and underground walkways. Kansas City offers more than 36,000 hotel rooms—with 4,600 committable rooms in the convention core. Now open, the Loews Kansas City includes 800 guestrooms, a lobby bar, a signature restaurant, indoor lap pool and 60,000 square feet of meeting and event space, which connects directly to the Kansas City Convention Center with a new connector bridge. Opened in June 2020, the hotel is in walking distance to key attractions and other destination landmarks like the Kansas City Power & Light District, Sprint Center, KC Streetcar and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The African-American contribution to the fame and for- tune of Kansas City is indelible. The storied Kansas City Monarchs won more championships than any sports team in Kansas City history. After work is done conference attendees and leisure travelers alike are encouraged to explore the his- tory of the Negro Leagues, and the men who made them famous, at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. ST. LOUIS St. Louis is a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, right in the heart of the country. The energy in the St. Louis region is palpable and extends beyond the city's burgeoning medical and tech centers to the vibrant arts scene, award-winning restaurants, craft breweries and artisan distilleries that define the flavor and vibe of this great city. With excellent lift and a light rail system that connects visitors seamlessly to Lambert International Airport, St. Louis is easy to get to and even eas- ier to get around. And with world-class attractions – many of them free – hotel options at every price point and classic Kansas City Convention Center