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room hotel, along with several restaurants and visitor attractions. The Union Station Hotel offers more than 130,000 square feet of flexible event space. The largest single space is The Midway, with more than 28,000 square feet of space beneath a historic steel-trussed glass roof. Dining options include the hotel's Grand Hall—which stages a 3D light show under its 65-ft.-tall arched ceil- ings—and the Station Grille, where railroad travelers once dined. Sharing space with the hotel in the old Union Station are the St. Louis Aquarium and the St. Louis Wheel, a 200-ft.-high observation wheel with 42 fully enclosed gon- dolas. Several other attractions, including the Gateway Arch and the Lumiere Place Casino, are within 10 min- utes of the landmark building. HILTON CINCINNATI NETHERLAND PLAZA, CINCINNATI, OH The Netherland Plaza, which opened in 1931, was designed with a French Art Deco flare. Located next to Fountain Square and a block away from the Duke Energy Convention Center, the 561-room hotel offers more than 31 meeting rooms under its own roof, with the largest setup covering more than 12,000 square feet. There are three themed ballrooms, including one that features a second floor and a balcony. Onsite dining options include The 1931, with the more formal setting and cuisine; The Lounge at 1931, serving craft beers and small plates; The Grille at 1931, dishing up casual fare; and The Bar a Palm Court, showcasing live music on weekends. Meeting attendees looking for things to see and do off- site will find the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center less than a quarter mile from the hotel, along with other nearby attractions like the Aronoff Performing Arts Center and the Contemporary Art Museum. CAESARS PALACE LAS VEGAS, Las Vegas, NV Caesars Palace opened on the Las Vegas Strip in1966 with a single hotel tower. Since then, the casino resort has spread to five hotel towers plus the world's first Japanese- inspired Nobu Hotel. Altogether, there are 3,980 guest rooms and suites across the 85-acre property, which is noted for the coffered ceiling, 70,000-crystal chandelier and 15-foot-tall marble statue of Augustus Caesar that adorn its grand lobby. The resort's two-story convention center provides 300,000 square feet of meeting space, including two pil- lar-less, 51,000-sq.-ft. ballrooms that can be reconfigured into 25 breakout rooms. The convention center is set apart from the casino, so meeting attendees can focus on business. When it's time to play, they can enjoy the casino's 185 table games, 1,324 slot machines and 18 screens; dine their choice of more than 30 eating venues; and take in a wide variety of live entertainment. Whether you're planning a large event like a conven- tion or a smaller gathering like a board meeting or incen- tive trip, choosing a historic hotel to host it can create a big attendance draw and a lasting impression. And while their structures have some age on them, these hotels can provide all the modern conveniences you need for your event. The decor might be Greco-Roman or Art Deco, but the technology is state-of- the-art. If you're looking for a beautiful, unique setting with a deep connection to the heritage and culture of the local area, consider meeting in a historic hotel. B M & T ••• January/February 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 27