Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1511108
61 B M & T ••• November/December 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com AREA GUIDES W I S C O N S I N WITH NEWLY EXPANDED MEETING VENUES, WISCONSIN IS PROVING TO BE A DESTINATION CAPABLE OF ACCOMMODATING EVENTS OF ALL SIZES B Y D O S W E L L I N G R AM Enjoy the rhythmic sounds of a local band while sipping on a craft beer. Discover new restaurants and savor a unique dish that will leave you wanting more. Walk around and explore vibrant city streets fea- turing one-of-a-kind architecture, mural art displays and fun attractions. Then, enjoy the many outdoor activities on or near freshwater lakes and rivers. Wisconsin cities have a way of mixing the old with the new. They provide a glimpse of the past and future with an emphasis on the here and now. Each region gives planners a whole new approach to coordinating a client's event with plenty of meeting spaces and leisure activities to keep delegates more than satisfied. • • MILWAUKEE • • The Midwest's Coolest City. America's Best-Kept Secret. An Emerging City for Meetings and Event Destinations. National Geographic: Best of the World 2023. These are just some of the head- lines touting Milwaukee. No longer a city on the rise, Milwaukee has arrived as a major events destination. And a top events destination deserves a world-class convention center. Opening in May 2024, the newly expanded Baird Center (formerly known as the Wisconsin Center) will double the convention center space to total more than 1.3 million square feet. Exceeding all convention center expectations, the reno- vated center will be able to host multiple events simultaneously and offer flexible space arrangements to meet planners' and attendees' needs. The expansion project, budgeted at $456 million, will bring the exposition hall to 300,000 contiguous square feet, add 24 new meeting rooms for a total of 52, add six new loading docks for a total of 22, include 400+ indoor parking spaces, and feature a spectacular rooftop ballroom with sweeping city views from the out- door terrace. The venue is currently equipped with 212,695 sq. ft. of exhibit space, 31,000 sq. ft. of hall space, a 8,000 sq. ft. largest ball- room space as well as 32 meeting rooms Milwaukee's budget-friendly conven- tion center campus and wide selection of hotels, meeting facilities, and unique attractions make it the perfect host for meetings your attendees won't soon for- get. Plan a board meeting beneath the massive white "wings" of the Milwaukee Art Museum, a banquet in a historic brewery building, and breakout sessions at the ballpark. Milwaukee offers 5,000 hotel rooms downtown at average daily costs of lodg- ing and meals that are among the lowest in their competitive set. The Hilton Milwaukee, Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, and SpringHill Suites Milwaukee Downtown are connected by skywalk to The Baird Center convention center. The Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum (WBHS/M) opened its door and its heart to the community, city, and state in 1987. Based on the premise that a people who know their history will grow to love and appreciate themselves more, the Society is striving to create a bright future out of a heart- breaking past. The mission of WBHS/M is to docu- ment and preserve the historical heritage of African descent in Wisconsin. The Museum exhibits, collects, and dissemi- nates materials depicting this heritage. Serving as a resource center for all people interested in Wisconsin's rich African American heritage, the Museum's pur- pose is to encourage and promote family community and cultural activities • • GREEN BAY • • There's no place quite like Green Bay. Its contagious spirit, personality and hospitality, make Green Bay one of the Midwest's top convention des- tinations. Big city amenities com- bined with small-town charm makes the Green Bay area a great fit for large conventions and small meetings alike. From functional to extraordi- nary, they offer meeting spaces that fit all group types at affordable prices. In addition, the destination you choose should offer great options for work and play. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Discover Green Bay – 888 867-3342 www.greenbay.com • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS The Hilton Milwaukee 729 Hyatt Regency Milwaukee 481 SpringHill Suites Milwaukee Downtown 155 EXHIBITION FACILITIES The Baird Center Total Space 212,695 sq. ft. Largest Hall 31,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 8,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 32 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Milwaukee – 888 458-8653 www.visitmilwaukee.org Baird Center photo credit: Baird Center