Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1524031
AREA GUIDES M A R Y L A N D MEETING OUTSIDE THE NATION'S CAPITAL JUST GOT MORE APPEALING B Y B U C K S A M U E L S Made of up unique regions, each pro- viding your group with a different meet- ing experience, Maryland gives planners completely different directions to explore when coordinating their clients' event based on their needs. Central Maryland is made of Annapolis and Baltimore and will provide the most meeting spaces for larger groups. Southern and Western Maryland will offer intimate meeting spaces perfect to accommodate weddings and reunions. The Eastern Shore region is a coastal des- tination that gives planners the option to take their group to a beach side venue to meet in destinations like Chesapeake Bay. Whatever your travel needs are, Maryland has got you covered. • • BALTIMORE • • Located within the heart of Capital Region USA, Baltimore offers a truly American experience combining small town charm with big city adventure in one affordable, unique package. Conveniently located within driving dis- tance of all major mid-Atlantic cities, but without the big city price tag, Baltimore is the perfect addition to your East Coast itinerary thanks to high-end hotels, award-winning restaurants and world- class museums and attractions. The Baltimore Convention Center is the premier location in the mid-Atlantic region for organizations to host conven- tions, meetings, banquets, trade shows, and other events. With 300,000 square feet of contiguous exhibition space, approximately 85,000 square feet of meeting space (50 meeting rooms), and a multifunctional 36,672-square-foot ball- room, the Center has the capacity and flexibility for hosting a variety of profes- sional events. Find your home away from home in Baltimore City. From quaint B&Bs to trendy boutique and lush 5-star hotels, get ready to be pampered by that good old Baltimorean hospitality! Some proper- ties come equipped with meeting spaces, some with enough space for a wedding or smaller gathering and some that can accommodate large-scale business con- ferences. Located in the heart of downtown Baltimore, the CFG Bank Arena (formerly known as Royal Farms Arena) is just a few blocks from the Inner Harbor and the Baltimore Convention Center. The arena recently reopened after undergoing a massive renovation bringing updated suites, seating and concessions. Baltimore is full of unexpected open spaces featuring parks, promenades and waterfront settings for outdoor recre- ation, fitness activities and relaxation. Join a kayak tour of the Inner Harbor or other waterfront activities, take advantage of miles of scenic walking trails for a breath- taking view of the city and then relax at a spa or fitness class. And don't miss out on the top golf courses in the area. It's impossible to tell Baltimore's—and by extension, America's—story without recognizing the enduring, culture-shifting impacts of the city's African American leg- ends and trailblazers. Their history is one defined by resilience, resistance, innova- tion and creativity, and it lives on in every corner of Charm City. Celebrate the soul of African American history and culture at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Through objects and art dating from 1784 to the present day, you'll learn about the incredible accomplishments and struggles of African American Marylanders. Located in downtown Baltimore, just two blocks from the Inner Harbor, the Lewis Museum is the largest African American museum in Maryland and features more than 11,000 square feet of permanent and temporary exhibi- tion space, a two-story theater, class- Reginald Lewis Museum B M & T ••• July/August 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 57