Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1507211
Midwest warmth and hospitality, St. Louis is an ideal location for your next meeting or event. Whether your meeting is large, small or somewhere in between, the America's Center Convention Complex offers unique and flexible meeting facilities and superior services for any event. Receiving the 2022 Stella Award for Best Convention Center – Midwest, America's Center is home to four distinct meeting facilities under one roof: Cervantes Convention Center, The Dome at America's Center, the St. Louis Executive Conference Center and the Ferrara Theatre. In addition, the convention center features six exhibit halls, a ballroom and more than 95 meeting rooms. Conference delegates will be delighted to know there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes time to exploring The Lou's rich culture and heritage. The National Blues Museum is located less than a block from the America's Center Convention Complex and features innova- tive, interactive and technological exhibits. The Museum explores and preserves the historic significance of the Blues as the foundation of modern American Music, celebrates the genre's various styles, and recognizes musicians who created, sustain and advance the art form. SPRINGFIELD The heart and soul of Springfield is rooted in its genuine dedication to hard work and homegrown innovation. With a unique mix of the vitality and conveniences of a metropolitan city coupled with the warm hospitality reminiscent of a small town, Springfield is an ideal place for business, conventions and events. The city offers an array of new and updated facilities to accommodate a variety of events, and our services can be tai- lored to your needs to ensure that your event is a success. Event attendees will enjoy the unique culture of Springfield's downtown district and an abundance of dining options as well as exciting, family-friendly attractions. OHIO From its big city amenities, which include a thriving arts and culture scene and award-winning culinary experiences, to the charm and comfort that can be found in its distinctive neighborhoods and historic small towns, Ohio has many unique destinations to explore. Each destination offering a different vibe providing the exact element your client will appreciate resulting in a more productive event. If you are interested in booking an event in the big city environment then Cincinnati and Cleveland will accommo- date groups of all sizes while cities like Akron and Toledo provide the perfect setting for smaller groups like weddings and reunions. The state is well equipped with the venues and amenities to support your meeting planning needs. AKRON Akron/Summit County is a place where guests can hit the trails and hike through beautiful landscapes, or see it all from the comfort of a train. It's a place where you can sit down to creative international cuisine, or you can indulge on local favorites like jojos and pizza, hamburgers, and more. This region provides a natural setting with outdoor options as unique meeting spaces. With downtown attractions like the Akron Art Museum, Akron Civic Theatre, BLU Jazz+, and more, attendees will never have a dull moment. Crossing the street in any direc- tion from the John S. Knight Center will lead one to shopping or food at local favorites such as Sweet Mary's Bakery and Rubber City Comics. CINCINNATI From large-scale national conventions to intimate leader- ship conferences, Cincinnati is the perfect destination for your next meeting. Cincy is within 500 miles of 60% of the US population, not to mention the walkable convention district footprints make it easy to get around and the city offers stun- ning meeting spaces and vibrant experiences. Cincinnati's Duke Energy Convention Center underwent a $135 million renovation to become the Midwest's best-in- class center. Every element of the venue was designed with the experience in mind, featuring: a total square footage of 750,000, including setup and support space, 200,000 con- tiguous square feet of Exhibit Space and a 40,000 square foot Grand Ballroom, one of the largest in the Midwest. The Sharonville Convention Center, in Cincinnati's north- ern suburbs, is a premier venue and facility for meetings, con- ventions, banquets, meetings, trade shows and public events. The Center offers contemporary meeting spaces, unparal- America's Center, St Louis, MO Downtown Akron, Ohio B M & T ••• September/October 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 29