Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1511108
renovated space. The center also incor- porates state-of-the-art exhibition, meeting rooms, and concession and kitchen facilities. The 70,000 square-foot Exhibition Hall can be combined with the existing Arena to create more than 100,000 square-feet of contiguous exhibit space in addition to a total of 17 breakout meeting rooms. Learn more about the center below and how you can host your next event there. Located within the city's walkable downtown district, the convention cen- ter is only steps away from luxurious hotels like the Watermark and restau- rants like local favorites Capital City Grill and Stroube's Seafood and Steak. The River Road African-American Museum is the premier facility in the South to focus on the history and her- itage of African Americans along the Mississippi River. With over 300 years of history, the legacy and importance of Africans in America to the growth of the South, the United States and the world is evident through the col- lection and exhibits of rare artifacts found at the museum. Between the historic venues such as the Louisiana's Old State Capitol and Red Stick Social, to arts venues like the Louisiana Art & Science Museum, there's a venue to suit every meeting planner's needs. • • SHREVEORT • • Located in beautiful northwest Louisiana, Shreveport-Bossier is a mixture of spicy Cajun attitude and the wide-open Texas spirit. Leisure travelers and confer- ence attendees alike can experience 24- hour resort-style casinos, riverfront enter- tainment, family-friendly festivals, and mouthwatering food This destination offers affordable hotels, flexible meeting venues including the 350,000-square-foot Shreveport Convention Center, 21 additional unique off-site meeting venues, 10,500 hotel rooms, immersive group experiences, and that famous Louisiana cuisine that visitors love. Guests are encouraged to check out an engineering marvel from the Victorian era at Shreveport Water Works Museum. Learn about African and African American history at Southern University Museum of Art. Blow up the Great Raft yourself at the Louisiana State Oil and Gas Museum. Shreveport-Bossier's Black-owned restaurant scene is rich in culture and histo- ry. The recipes for these spicy, golden, Shreveport-style stuffed shrimp served at Eddie's Restaurant, C & C Café, and Orlandeaux's Café date back to the early 1920s. Hosea "Big D" Levingston has been serving fall-off-the-bone ribs and other smoked meat at Big D's Bar-B-Que for more than 35 years. Anthony's Steak & Seafood, known for its creamy potatoes au gratin and well-seasoned steaks, has been in business for nearly 30 years. Check out the delicious rolled ice cream treats at Yum Yum Dessert Bar. With nearly 80 Black- owned food businesses to explore, you name it; Shreveport-Bossier has it. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Shreveport-Bossier – 800-551-8682 www.shreveport-bossier.org 55 B M & T ••• November/December 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Crowne Plaza Baton Rouge 294 Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel 256 Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center 282 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Raising Cane's River Center Total Space 100,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 700,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 45,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 17 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Baton Rouge – 800 LA ROUGE www.visitbatonrouge.com Shreveport Convention Center photo credit: Shreveport C.C