Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1528810
70 B M & T ••• November/December 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com establishments such as the Dayton Ballet, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Dayton Opera and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and Dayton Live will undoubt- edly fascinate and impress you. If you wish for drama and inspiration, you'll cer- tainly find it here in the vibrant Dayton arts community. WHO YOU GONNA CALL Destination Dayton – (800) 221-8235 www.daytoncvb.com • • CLEVELAND • • This is 'The Land' that's easy to get to and even easier to get around in. Spend less and experience more in a city that's down for living it up with world-class museums, internationally recognized restaurants and thousands of acres of gor- geous green spaces. Located in the heart of Downtown Cleveland, the LEED Gold-certified Hunt- ington Convention Center of Cleveland connects meeting planners to over 518,840 total square feet of prime event space. Connected to the 600-room Hilton Cleveland Downtown and Cleveland Public Auditorium, Cleveland's one-mil- lion-square-foot convention center district is a convenient location to host small executive meetings or large industry trade shows. The one-million-square-foot connect- ed Convention Center District is com- prised of three exhibit halls, two ball- rooms, a 14-acre outdoor green space, 50 meeting rooms and two connected facili- ties - Cleveland Public Auditorium and Hilton Cleveland Downtown. Nothing about Cleveland is cookie cut- ter. In fact, one of our most fundamental characteristics as a city is that they're made up of more than 100 ethnicities. `The city owes so much to its Black his- tory and the contributions of those Black leaders and innovators who changed the very fabric of this nation. The LGBTQ+ community infuses pride, acceptance and progressive thinking into Cleveland. While the international community — brimming from La Villa Hispana and Little Arabia on the west side, to Little Italy and AsiaTown in the east — reminds us every day that Cleveland truly is a rich tapestry of culture. WHO YOU GONNA CALL Destination Cleveland – (216) 875-6630 www.thisiscleveland.com • • COLUMBUS • • Columbus, the 14th largest city in the United States as well as the fastest-grow- ing city in the Midwest, is a smart and open community with a dynamic conven- tion package that can fit the needs of any group. Located within a one-day drive or one-hour flight from more than half of the U.S. population, Columbus is easily accessible for all. As one of the fastest growing cities in the country, new experiences are always being created to keep visitors engaged. The National Veterans Memorial and Museum is an only-in-Columbus opportu- nity to hear the stories of all the veterans, their families, and the Fallen, across all branches of service and all eras of conflict. At more than 50,000 sq. ft., the facility also offers space for gatherings, cere- monies, celebrations and reunions. Groups exploring Columbus are sure to find a city full of unique experiential tours, exciting itineraries, delicious food, friendly locals, and dedicated travel professionals who aim to exceed all expectations. The Columbus Convention Center is the city's premier venue for meetings and events of all sizes. The 1.8 square foot center is equipped with 373,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, 100,000 square feet of outdoor event space, 74 meeting rooms and 3 ballrooms. Planning a reunion in Columbus is easy, and all reunion planners are treat- ed like family from the moment their event is booked. With nationally renowned attractions, historic neighbor- hoods and complimentary services, Columbus is an easy sell to all reunion attendees. Whether you're organizing a family or military reunion, local planners are there to help with everything from finding hotels to recommending family- friendly activities and can't miss festivals throughout the year. WHO YOU GONNA CALL Experience Columbus – (800) 354-2657 www.experiencecolumbus.com AREA GUIDES Dayton Convention Center photo credit: Dayton CVB