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Chicago Voted the Best Big City in the U.S. for the seventh year in a row by Conde Nast Traveler readers, Chicago is ready to welcome you! The Windy City has one-of-a-kind hotels, venues, and serv- ices that can adapt perfectly to today's needs. The city boasts one of the best food scenes in the world with a multitude of Michelin-rated and James Beard Award-winning restaurants, unbeatable arts and attractions, exciting nightlife, and miles of public green spaces as well as a sparkling lakefront and lively Riverwalk for your attendees to enjoy. McCormick Place is the largest and most flexible conven- tion center in North America., With over 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, the campus proudly hosts some of the world's largest and most prestigious conventions, meetings, and trade shows, welcoming approximately 3 million visitors every year. Conveniently located just minutes from downtown Chicago and facing one of the most iconic skylines in the world, McCormick Place is easily accessible from the city's major transportation hubs, including two international air- ports and public transportation. McCormick Place comprises four buildings — the North, South, and West Buildings and Lakeside Center. Together, these buildings feature: 173 meeting rooms offering 600,000 square feet of event space 4 ballrooms ranging from 21,000 to 100,000 square feet Assembly seating for 18,000 people A state-of-the-art event center The convention center campus also includes the 10,000- seat Wintrust Arena, the 4,249-seat Arie Crown Theater, near- ly 3,000 connected hotel rooms, 100 pieces of public art, and various on-site dining options, all connected by a network of pedestrian sky bridges and promenades. Whether you're planning a large or small meeting, Chicago has the space, culture, and people to make it eventful. INDIANA Planning a trip? Then you should come to the home of Hoosier hospitality. While Indiana is famous for Basketball and Motor Sports, there is so much more to discover than you ever could have imagined. From the deep caves in Southern Indiana to the rolling Indiana Dunes in Northern Indiana, Indiana is a diverse state full of natural and man- made marvels. Whether you love the out- doors, the arts, food, drinks, or history, Indiana has something for everyone. The Hoosier State is a huge state with many different regions that each have a unique feel, interesting locations, amaz- ing people, and more! There are tons of things to do and information available in every region in Indiana. Take a step back in time and explore some amazing historical sites in Indiana and see where history happened! Indiana is home to many historical sites, some predating the United States and others formed as a preservation of what life was like generations ago. Whether you are looking for an interactive expe- rience or to learn about history you might not have known, Indiana has a place for you. B M & T ••• September/October 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 23 ILLINOIS From urban excitement and outdoor adventures to delicious food and fasci- nating history, Illinois is an iconic desti- nation with something for everyone. Business and leisure travelers are encouraged to explore the diversity of experiences in The Middle of Everything! From the Magnificent Mile to Route 66 to wine trails and scenic byways, Illinois offers a wide variety of destina- tions for group travel. Cities such as Danville, Aurora, Chicago, Decatur and Henry County each offer a different fla- vor your group can choose to meet in. Discover sites that reflect the legacy of African-Americans on the history and culture of Illinois, from museums to music. From Chicago claiming the birth- place of gospel music and its own version of the blues, to the Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum sharing authentic sto- ries, you can easily spend a weekend (or more) exploring the contributions of African-Americans throughout the state. Indianapolis As you land in Indianapolis, the first thing you'll notice is the airport. The first new international airport in America designed and built after 9/11, Indianapolis International Airport has been named the best airport in North America in 2012-2022 by Airports Council International, best airport in America from Conde Nast Traveler Indy's connected convention campus sets it apart. The combined complex of Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium are connected by climate-controlled skywalks to 4,700 hotel rooms, more than any U.S. city. Planners save on Chicago's McCormick Place Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium