Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1515188
ALBANY, NY Albany offers everything successful meetings require. It is convenient, cus- tomizable and culture-rich! First, atten- dees will discover it's easy to get here. The city is easily accessible via car, rail, or air. Next, you'll discover that Albany has all the place and spaces you have come to trust for your events. Finally, when the meetings are over, Albany is a great city for your attendees to relax in, which includes fun seasonal events and more than 400 years of history, art, architec- ture, and culture to discover. Albany offers a variety of convention, special event, sports, and creative venues for your next event. For larger events, the Albany Capital Center provides sleek, state-of-the-art meeting and con- vention space. Empire State Plaza Convention Center is absolutely perfect for groups up to 1,500. The MVP Arena, one of the Northeast's premier sports and special events arenas, has seating capacity of 6,000-17,000. The Egg Performing Arts Center offers theater-style seating and tradeshow space. And all four of these venues will be connected via enclosed walkways to make up the Capital Complex, the largest meeting space in Upstate New York at 159,000 square feet. There are a variety of creative meet- ing places and spaces throughout Albany that will not only fulfill the necessary space and technical requirements for your meeting or event, but will also pro- vide a unique setting or backdrop that will delight your guests. For a historical or unique setting, this destination boasts a variety of cre- ative meeting and gathering spaces. For example, the Albany Institute of History & Art offers meeting and reception space nestled among the art exhibits that showcase Albany and this "All America City" destination. Art gal- leries, restored historic buildings, and wineries are just some of the many unique meeting space options available to Meeting Planners. Discover Albany's Black history, cul- ture, and businesses year-round. Admire murals and public art projects by talent- ed local Black artists and dine at Black- owned restaurants for unforgettable cui- sine. Dive into the area's Black history for stories of resilience and hope, as well as for a deeper understanding about the lives of those that were enslaved. Prominent historical figures from Albany's Black history include Underground Railroad activists Stephen & Harriet Myers, who welcomed free- dom seekers to their home on Livingston Ave. Reverend Nathaniel Paul, the first African American minister in Albany, who was the founding pastor of what would become the First African Baptist Church. As well as Sgt. Henry Johnson, who fought heroically in the 369th Infantry Regiment called the Harlem Hellfighters, is one of Albany's greatest war heroes. B M & T ••• January/February 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 19 Albany Capital Center DES MOINES, IA When it comes to events, Greater Des Moines loves to play host and it shows. The city's resume speaks for itself, and it checks all the boxes: convenient, unique, inclusive, and fun. From venue selection and convention registration to bookable hotel blocks and walkable brunch spots, Greater Des Moines is more than equipped to host your next event. A state-of-the-art convention center with 226,000 square-feet of total space and attached Hilton hotel, 13,000 hotel rooms across the metro, including over 2,800 rooms downtown, a 4-mile climate- controlled skywalk, 60 unique off-site venues, Over 1,000 locally owned restau- rants, 160 daily flights, a centralized and a Des Moines skyline