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authentic. This city serves as a natural anchor where a professional retreat meets a deeply soulful coastal backdrop. Visionary groups find a home at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, while Events On Pine provides a sophisticated downtown sanctuary for team-building sessions. Beyond these meeting walls, the city's entrepreneurial soul is visible through thriving small businesses like Shades of Afrika and local culinary favorites like Panama International Restaurant. By pre- serving local history, the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach (AACCLB) brings the community together and offers a peaceful spot to recharge. From tech-dri- ven corridors to these soulful coastal anchors, the Southern California dream remains a frontier of limitless possibility. Across every city in the region, this intersec- tion of heritage and industry defines a uniquely Southern California lifestyle and a lasting legacy of brilliance. The Queen Mary, the nearly one-cen- tury-old ocean liner has been trans- formed into a historic hotel and one of Long Beach's top attractions, welcomes visitors to explore its storied halls and learn of the ship's history through tours and onboard exhibits. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Long Beach – (800) 452-7829 www.visitlonbeach.com SAN DIEGO: More Than Just Beaches San Diego's sunshine, warm weather, exciting attractions, vibrant neighbor- hoods and extensive outdoor meeting and reception areas are ready to welcome you. Start planning your next event in San Diego, where the airport, Convention Center and hotels all go above and beyond to provide impeccable service. The San Diego Convention Center is in a vibrant downtown setting within a mile and a half of more than 11,000 first-class hotel rooms, including four headquarter hotels, and 10 minutes from the airport. Your attendees will be within easy walking distance of an array of restaurants, retail stores and world- class entertainment. The facility boasts 525,701 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, divisible into seven halls; 90,000 sq. ft. Sails Pavilion, column-free, glass-enclosed with an industry standard trade show floor; 72 meeting rooms totaling 204,114 sq. ft., including two 40,000 sq. ft. ballrooms; 284,494 sq. ft. of pre-function, lobby and registration are; 184,514 sq. ft. of out- door terrace space perfect for soaking in San Diego's year round sunshine; and LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. San Diego Tourism Authority President- /CEO Julie Coker and her team stand ready to help you make your meeting in San Diego the best one yet. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? San Diego Tourism Authority (619) 232-3101 www.sandiego.org/ B M & T ••• May/June 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 66 pulse. This unique duality ensures that business and vibrancy coexist comfortably in a city with a soul all its own. The culinary landscape here is unapolo- getically diverse and soulful. Georgia's Restaurant, located in the Anaheim Packing House, serves "soul-delicious" comfort food like fried catfish and herb- braised lamb, providing a homey atmos- phere for groups. For an authentic and hospitable experience, Beteseb Restaurant offers traditional Ethiopian home meals in a spacious setting. Artistically, the Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center often hosts exhibitions highlighting diverse voices. Anaheim offers a sunny backdrop where gatherings find both massive scale and soulful intimacy, ensuring every attendee leaves inspired by the region's unique blend of hospitality and seamless coordi- nation. It is a place where business meets joy effortlessly. Anaheim is home to Disneyland theme park at the Disneyland Resort. It was the first theme park opened by the Walt Disney Company and the only one designed and constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney. Disneyland has several venues that are perfect for memorable meetings and incentive programs. Once a simple roadside berry stand, Knott's Berry Farm® has grown into a must-visit Anaheim attraction. Anchored in its rich California history and charm, Knott's Berry Farm® boasts over 40 attractions and entertainment for all ages, including award-winning roller coasters and water rides, elaborate stage shows, interactive entertainment, and family- friendly fun featuring Snoopy and the Peanuts™ gang. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Anaheim – (714) 765-2800 www.visitanaheim.org LONG BEACH: Coastal Soul and Community For those gathering with purpose, Long Beach is the "cool cousin" of Southern California—laid back, diverse, and fiercely SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA GUIDES Long Beach Convention Center photo credit: Long Beach CVB-Campus