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60 B M & T ••• September/October 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com AREA GUIDES N O R T H C A R O L I N A WHEN YOU WANT TO WIND DOWN IN A RELAXING ENVIRONMENT AND CONDUCT BUSINESS AT THE SAME TIME: CONSIDER NORTH CAROLINA B Y B U C K S A M U E L S Whether it's for business or pleasure, a first-time visit, or repeat trip, groups of all sizes and types agree, North Carolina is an ideal meeting destination. The state is within a day's drive or flight from cities throughout the East, and the diverse and plentiful facilities, venues and group- friendly attractions mean there's a perfect match for every meeting. North Carolina's hotels, convention centers and nontraditional venues host meetings and conventions of various sizes, all convenient to major transporta- tion and signature sights. • • CHAROLTTE • • Charlotte's a breeze to access from most major cities, and it's a cinch to navi- gate once you're there. With a beautiful, compact convention district, cozy and affordable hotel scene, and a bustling public transportation system that offers access to the city's gems, the Queen City reigns supreme as a destination for meet- ings, conferences, trade shows and events. Here you will find why Charlotte is considered the Southeast's premier meet- ing and convention destination. In a compact, walkable district, the 600,000-square-foot Charlotte Conven- tion Center is connected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and across the street from the 700-room Westin Hotel. Roomy with 280,000 square feet of exhibit hall space divisible into four halls, the Convention Center also has 154,000 square feet of breakout space, including 50 meeting rooms and two ballrooms. And steps from Uptown's arts and culture attrac- tions, sports venues, nightlife hubs and 200-plus restaurants, a bustling cityscape sits on its doorstep. The venue is located only 7 miles from the airport, is walkable to more than 6,400 hotel rooms and just underwent a $126.9M expansion com- pleted in October of 2021. Connected to the Charlotte Conven- tion Center by an overstreet walkway, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is a convenient and unique location for a signature event. In this 86,500-square-foot facility, you can host a Great Hall reception surrounded by racing memorabilia, dine by a NASCAR Hall Famer's car, plan an intimate gather- ing in the Legends Room, or test your group's competitive edge during pit crew challenges. The primary gathering place within the NASCAR Hall of Fame, this large open area is set against the backdrop of the iconic Glory Road, which has 18 stock cars on display. Sit-down luncheons and dinners with keynote speakers, holiday parties, press conferences, and more fit nicely in this space. Need an outdoor space? The NASCAR Hall of Fame's 19,000-square-foot patio is spacious and flexible, which is ideal for large events, festivals and athletic compe- titions. Plus, the Hall of Fame will make sure everything, from electricity to cater- ing, is tailored to your event's needs. A haven for talent, Charlotte is a can- vas for artistic expression. State-of-the-art performance venues set the stage for mesmerizing productions spanning Broadway to local theater. Eye-catching public art begs for photo ops. And renowned art museums showcase work by the greatest visionaries from across the globe and across time. Murals all over the Queen City pay trib- ute to important events and figures in Black culture. They tell the stories of strug- gles and triumphs of communities, like the Historic West End of Charlotte, while promoting pride in cultural identity. With every brush stroke, these murals have the power to transcend time, often unfolding and elevating the stories they tell. • • RALEIGH • • Meet in Raleigh with all the free- dom to move beyond the surface of your meeting destination. Deeply con- nect to signature experiences that leave lasting impressions. Fully emb- race the feeling of coming together in a place rich with intelligence, creativity and expertise. Raleigh's convention center campus in downtown Raleigh was tailor-made to support meeting and convention groups. Anchored by the 500,000- square-foot Raleigh Convention Center and surrounded by quality • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS The Westin Charlotte 700 Charlotte Marriott City Center 446 Hilton Charlotte Uptown 400 EXHIBITION FACILITIES The charlotte convention center Total Meeting Space 600,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 280,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 40,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 50 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Charlotte – (704)339-6040 www.charlottesgotalot.com Charlotte-skyline photo credit: Charlotte C.C