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CHICAGO Voted the Best Big City in the U.S. for the sixth year in a row by Conde Nast Traveler readers, Chicago is ready to welcome your clients' next event, no matter the size! The Windy City has one-of-a-kind hotels, venues, and services that can adapt per- fectly to today's needs. McCormick Place is the largest and most flexible convention center in North America. With over 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, the campus proudly hosts some of the world's largest and most prestigious conventions, meetings, and trade shows, welcoming approximately 3 million visitors every year. The venue is fully equipped with 173 meeting rooms offer- ing 600,000 square feet of event space, 4 ballrooms ranging from 21,000 to 100,000 square feet and a state-of-the-art event center. Conveniently located just minutes from downtown Chicago and facing one of the most iconic skylines in the world, McCormick Place is easily accessible from the city's major transportation hubs, including two international airports and public transportation. Make your next meeting an event to remember with Chicago's unforgettable venues, hotels, and vendors. Explore venues with stunning lakefront views, state-of-the-art technol- ogy, and awe-inspiring architecture that are perfect for events of all sizes. Plus search for hotels and services to find the perfect fit for your next meeting. In Chicago and throughout the state, African American history is deep-rooted in Illinois. Conference attendees and leisure travelers alike can discover museums that celebrate African American culture and art. Travelers are encour- aged to visit the sites where freedom seekers traveled along the Underground Railroad. Wherever you explore, Illinois welcomes you to embrace the powerful legacy of its African-American roots. Many sites provide unique meet- ILLINOIS An easy drive from many of the largest cities in the Southeast, Harrah's Cherokee Casino resort offers a perfect blend of majestic mountainscapes, luxurious accommoda- tions and authentic, entrancing Native American culture. Harrah's Cherokee has 83,000 square feet of flexible meet- ing space and a variety of one-of-a-kind venues set against a backdrop of spectacular mountain scenery with 1,800 deluxe guest rooms and suites. A 56-acre mountain paradise, Harrah's Cherokee indulges with a range of experiences from superb dining and entertainment to a luxurious 18,000- square-foot spa oasis. Get the celebrity experience at Gordon Ramsay Food Market, a one-of-a-kind dining venue featuring eight cuisine concepts and one full-service restau- rant, or get a taste of Flavortown, USA at Guy Fieri's Cherokee Kitchen + Bar. Entertainment options include Harrah's Cherokee Event Center, showcasing box office- breaking acts from around the country, and the UltraStar Multitainment Complex, an expansive entertainment com- plex offering bowling and arcade games. INDIANA Indiana's cosmopolitan capital is unbeatable for groups interested in art, sports and fine dining. This Central region is filled with sights and sounds sure to thrill your client. In Indiana, there is always something fun and exciting to do right around the corner! Conference attendees breaking away from a long day of work can experience entertaining and educational excursions from every part of the Hoosier state. Whether you like cultural festivals, want to see traveling museum exhibits, want to have a drink at a beer festival, or see what theater productions or concerts are happening near you, Indiana has a bit of everything for everyone all the time. INDIANAPOLIS Indy's connected convention campus sets it apart. The combined complex of Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium are connected by climate-controlled skywalks to 4,700 hotel rooms, more than any U.S. city. Planners save on transportation while keeping attendees close so networking and business get done organically. All of this sits in the heart of downtown with dining, shopping, and attractions to enter- tain attendees beyond meeting hours. Two billion dollars in hospitality-related infrastructure, highlighted by a convention center expansion and an 800- room headquarter hotel makes Indianapolis a premier Midwestern destination meeting planners should explore when coordinating their clients next event. Chicago's Millennium Park Cloud Sculpture B M & T ••• September/October 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 23