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establishments, Las Vegas leading the pack. Cities like Reno and Laughlin accommodate smaller gatherings or groups that want to avoid big city traffic. When work is complete travelers can find the perfect things to do for their visit to Nevada. Whether it is a fun-filled day trip to one of the fabulous cities, an extreme excursion into the Nevada wilderness, or a more go-with-the-flow approach, the state has you covered. Las Vegas There are plenty of good reasons to hold your event in Las Vegas – 320 days of sunshine, state-of-the-art facilities, and world-class dining and accommodations. These are just a few things that have made Las Vegas the world's No. 1 trade show destination for the last 26 years. Las Vegas' experience means the destination has the flexi- bility to quickly adapt to your needs and challenges, like short- er planning windows, unique space requirements and hybrid capabilities. Trade shows in Vegas also bring unparalleled ener- gy and excitement that lead to greater inspiration, engagement and creativity. Space, space and more space. Las Vegas has 15 million square feet of exhibit and meeting space and is home to three of the country's 10 largest convention venues: the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, a 2 million-sq. ft. center on the south Strip; the 1.7 million-sq. ft. The Venetian Expo (includes 500,000 sq. ft. of The Venetian/Palazzo meeting space); and the 2.9 million-sq. ft. Las Vegas Convention Center. With world-class resorts throughout the destination and 150,000 rooms, Las Vegas offers accommodations for nearly every budget and taste with an unbeatable group value propo- sition. Whether you find yourself visiting Las Vegas during February's Black History Month or any other time of year – as diversity is celebrated in the destination year-round – it's always a great time to support a Black, locally owned business. Enjoy the flavors of West Africa at Nigerian Cuisine by MJ, offering sit-down service, catering and a very lucrative lunch special. You'll find it on Maryland Parkway and extremely close to the Strip, particularly the north end where Wynn and Fontainebleau are located. For many years the West Las Vegas Arts Center has been home to the Performing & Visual Arts Summer Camp for Kids, providing community youth with opportunities for civil engagement through arts education. These talented young artists 10-15 years old, commit themselves to the philosophy, "Excellence without Excuse," developing art appreciation in music, dance, theatre and spoken word. N EW M EXICO Every aspect of travel in New Mexico is defined by both cul- ture and adventure, whether you're exploring art galleries, tast- ing local cuisine, participating in an event or tradition, or spending time outdoors. It's all happening here. In the "Land of Enchantment" groups have the opportunity to meet in a desti- nation offering a plethora of day spas and outdoor retreats. Destinations that provide the largest meeting space for larg- er group meetings will be found in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Taos, and Las Cruces are neighboring cities that give travelers a more suburban setting, which provides a good option for reunions and business retreats. New Mexican cuisine has a distinct blend of flavors that are unique to the landscape and culture that have been cultivated for more than 400 years. Venturous diners can experience these authentic flavors across the state from high-end dining to tra- ditional eateries and food trucks — you are guaranteed to encounter something new and savory. OKLAHOMA Oklahoma has divided its diverse landscape into six regions or "countries" - each with a distinct flavor, image and unique cities and towns that make great destination sites. Did you know that mile for mile, Oklahoma offers the nation's most diverse terrain? 26 B M & T ••• March/April 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com African-American Performing Arts Center of New Mexico copy View over looking the Las Vegas strip Greenwood Rising Center Tulsa