Black Meetings and Tourism

July/Aug 2013

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•pg_19-29_ICI__BMT_pg3-58 8/12/13 6:48 PM Page 22 EAST POINT, GA small-town charm and big city accessibility has moved East Point to the head of the class in this market sector. It's that convenience along with cost, amenities and overall experience that makes East Point the emerging destination of choice for many of today's meeting planners. For starters, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport sits in East Point's backyard, meaning travelers are minutes from hotels, restaurants and meetings facilities. The Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) is just over three miles from East Point and sits adjacent to the airport. It is the Atlanta areas' second largest convention center with 400,000 sq. ft. and features Georgia's largest ballroom at 40,000 sq. ft. Meeting space is plentiful with six 2,000-sq. ft. suites, each divisible into four sections. The GICC features on site catering with the capacity to serve 4,000 meals at one time And speaking of convenience, from baggage claim, follow the signs to the Georgia International Convention Center. Hop on the SkyTrain (its free) and visitors arrive at the GICC in less than five minutes. If you must have a rental car, the second stop on the SkyTrain is the Rental Car Center. Meeting and event planners can contact the GICC direct by clicking on the contact link on their website, (u)www.gicc.com(eu). The GICC campus has two convention hotels – a 403-room Marriott headquarters hotel and a 147-room SpringHill Suites. In total, East Point has 16 hotels with a combined 58,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. For shopping and restaurants, the Campcreek Marketplace in East Point is minutes from the GICC. Reunion planners who need a little offsite catering services should checkout "This Is It! BBQ & Seafood" right in East Point. This restaurant is a local institution known for its BBQ, seafood and soul food. It's Youngsters enjoy swing in local East Point park East Point is home to 17 parks with amenities ranging from tennis and basketball courts to pavilions, grills and outdoor hiking trails perfect for family reunions or team building exercises. A Day trip to many of Atlanta's top tourist hotspots is only 20 minutes from East Point on the MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority). Visit the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center, the World of Coca Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta and Inside CNN. During the summer take in a baseball game at nearby Turner Field. The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau offers full service support for East Point group gatherings. For a list of contacts, go to http://www.atlanta.net/eastpoint/contact-us.aspx. Resort at Champions Gate with 720 rooms and over 100,000 sq. ft. of meetKISSIMMEE, FL his city, known as "The Gateway to Fun" is sure to spice up any meet- ing space and the new Embassy Suites Orlando-Lake Buena Vista South with ing, convention or group gathering. Kissimmee has an impressive array 300 rooms and 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. of meeting facilities, hotels and unique venues just minutes away from some of the world's top theme parks, world-famous attractions and the Orlando International Airport. Kissimmee can easily accommodate gatherings from 5 to 25,000 or more. It's a well-rounded family entertainment hotspot that has a little something for everyone. In total, Kissimmee has over 263 hotel properties accounting for more than 900,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. From cozy motels to luxury suites, Kissimmee is sure to have something to fit any budget. The combination of affordable resort and convention properties are a staple of the Kissimmee group gathering scene. The top venue for groups large and small is the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. This resort has arguably hosted more top events than any property in Central Florida. It features 400,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 100 meetings rooms and a maximum of 58 breakout-meeting rooms. The property has the absolute latest in technology and equipment. The Gaylord sits on 63 acres with three atriums that create distinct Florida environments all under one roof. The property has 1, 291 rooms and 115 suites. Two other outstanding convention properties are the Omni T Downtown Kissimmee 22 B M & T ••• July/August 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com

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