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B M & T ••• September/October 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 49 For more information contact Visit Richmond (888) 742-4666 or www.visitrichmondva.com roanoke As the largest metropolitan area in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Roanoke Region is a place where meeting attendees will have the oppor- tunity to concentrate on business and relax among modern amenities. Meetings, conventions, conferences, trade shows, and every other kind of gathering are well accommodated in Virginia's Blue Ridge. Collectively, the region features over 650,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, and can handle groups of more than 10,000 attendees. With two civic centers, an IACC-approved conference center, and a fantastic collection of unique venues and hotels with meeting space, Virginia's Blue Ridge has facilities that can accommodate any type of meeting, convention, reunion, or other special events. The region boasts over 650,000 square feet of unique meeting space along with 5,000 guest rooms. Virginia's Blue Ridge is a region with amazing Black history and cul- ture. It's a unique blend of people, organizations, and communities who played a major role in the growth and development of Roanoke and the surrounding region, as well as people with local connections to the area who were influential worldwide. Prominent figures of Black history in Virginia's Blue Ridge include people like Booker T. Washington, founder of the Tuskegee Institute and one of history's most influential African American leaders. There's also Oliver White Hill, a civil rights attorney whose work was part of the Brown v. Board of Education case that overturned segregation in public schools. You can find all kinds of amazing information about Black history in the region by visiting locations such as the Harrison Museum of African American Culture and Booker T. Washington National Monument, or by participating in the Self-Guided Walking Tour of Historic Gainsboro. For more information contact Visit Roanoke (800) 635-5535 orwww.visitroanokeva.com virginia beach Virginia Beach may be all about soft sands and ocean waves, but planning your meeting here puts you right on solid ground and affords your attendees the chance to explore all their senses. This destination has an entire network of hotels, restaurants, venues, attractions, and services ready to pitch in and assist in creating intentional and meaning- ful meeting experiences. From big events at the LEED® Gold Certified Virginia Beach Convention Center to roundtable breakout sessions with an ocean view, your style of meeting can surely be accommodated in Virginia Beach. Recently named a "Best Venue" for 2018- 2019, as voted by International Live Events Association members, the eco-friendly, state- of-the-art Virginia Beach Convention Center can handle meetings and events of any capacity. As a part of the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, a visit to the Virginia Beach Convention Center will transform you into a local in no time. Located only minutes from the beach and resort area, this venue has all the perks of coastal charm and big-city amenities at its fingertips. Enjoy the expansive variety of hotels, entertainment, shopping and dining. When it comes to celebrating life's most important moments and enduring bonds, there's really no better setting than by the ocean. Ocean waves and brilliant shores are just part of what makes Virginia Beach ideal for weddings and reunions, joining the array of activities that groups love to experience together. VA Beach also offers a wide range of venues suited to large gatherings. Whether it's family ties or shared experiences that bring you together, discover the possibilities for your celebration. Welcoming groups to Live the Life is a long-practiced tradition in Virginia Beach, giving visitors a chance to experience the genuine hos- pitality of a city with a lot to share. You'll have your pick of activities, from beach walks to nightlife and air shows to wildlife. You'll enjoy unique access to popular experiences through their Live the Life Adventures, offered exclusively for groups, along with a range of itineraries to help guide your plans. Whether it's for student groups seeking to combine fun and enrichment, reunion groups in search of a place to reconnect, or travel groups looking for an active getaway, it's no wonder so many tour planners put Virginia Beach at the top of their list. For more information contact Visit Virginia Beach (757) 385-4700 or www.visitvirginiabeach.com The Conference Center, Roanoke Virginia Beach Convention Center V I R G I N I A S P E C I A L S E C T I O N