Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/157113
•pg_19-29_ICI__BMT_pg3-58 8/12/13 6:49 PM Page 26 the Juneau ice field to Mendenhall Lake. At its widest point the glacier is more than a half-mile wide and 300 to 1,800 ft. deep. Salmon spawning is an event in Alaska. From July to September many of the natural salmon spawning streams are brimming to capacity and make for a great spectator event. Between April and September enjoy the majestic beauty of one of natures most awesome creatures as more than 600 humpback whales inhabit the waters of the northern Inside Passage. There are daily sightseeing tours for a closer look. Bears are a way of life in Alaska. Black bears are frequently spotted around Juneau, but if you want to see the big boys, the Brown bears, take a floatplane to Admiralty Island National Monument and Kootznoowoo Wilderness Area. The most popular place on the island is Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary where you can observe bears feeding on one of their favorite foods, salmon. It is recommended that any trip to Alaska wilderness be with an experienced guide. Downtown Juneau streets are lined with shopping options for authentic Alaskan and Native American souvenirs and other items. The best way to get to Juneau is by air on Alaska Airlines with daily flights from Seattle. Juneau can host up to 1,000 attendees using multiple hotel properties. Centennial Hall Convention Center in downtown Juneau's Historic District can host up to 1,075 in a theater setting. Centennial Hall is getting a little makeover during the summer of 2014, so book now to be among the first to see the new look convention center. Other small venues offer majestic views of that great Alaska scenery. Imagine an opening reception atop Mount Roberts with its views of the valley and town below. Don't like heights, how about a reception along the banks of Gastineau Channel or Auke Lake? Juneau hotels are typically small properties, less than 100 rooms; some have one or two meetings rooms. Meeting planners call Liz Perry at (907) 523-3729 or send her an email to liz.perry@traveljuneau.com. HAMMOND, LA ocated about an hour from both New Orleans and Baton Rouge at the intersection of Interstates 12 and 55, Hammond is becoming one of the newest suburbs of both cities. It is the largest city in Tangipahoa Parish and home to Southeastern Louisiana University. Hammond's top attraction is the Tangipahoa African American Museum and Veterans Archives. This museum tells the story of African-Americans in all their permutations; from family life to Civil Rights, arts and entertainment to inventions, sports, medicine, architecture, politics, religion, law and technology. Among the museums collections are twenty-three 8' by 5' mural paintings on each side of the hall depicting the plight of African Americans from life in Africa to slavery to modern day America. In total, the museum has 8,200 sq. ft. and features eight exhibit rooms on everything from the Underground Railroad to Sports Heroes and an active Genealogy Lab. The museum is fully capable of hosting events. The Dinner Theater seats 200, the Heritage Center seats 500 and the Annex can hold up to 50 people. Catering is available. Tangipahoa African American Museum and Veterans Archives Exterior The museum's website is www.taahm.org or you can call (985) 542-4259. reunion and small meeting and convention destination. The largest Hollywood has found a home in and around Hammond and venue is the Quality Inn & Conference Center in Hammond. This Tangipahoa Parish. The movie Ray (the biopic on the life of Ray property has 171-rooms with a 4,131-sq. ft. ballroom that can be conCharles), the film that earned Jamie Foxx his first Academy Award for figured in a variety of settings. Best Actor, and the first season of the hit TV series In the Heat of the The Southeastern Louisiana State ballroom has over 6,500 sq. ft. of Night starring multi Emmy-winner Carroll O'Connor and Howard space and a maximum capacity of 500. Rollins was filmed in and around Hammond. The Tangipahoa CVB can answer all your questions. They can be In addition to Hollywood, the region has turned into a family reached online at www.tangi-cvb.org or calling (800) 542-7520. L CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA cy to the region is the University of Virginia (UVA). Visit the Rotunda estled along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in and adjoining Pavilions that form The Lawn. Albemarle County, Charlottesville's natural beauty is breathCharlottesville and the surrounding area is actually home to three taking. presidents, in addition to Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe Charlottesville's top attraction is Monticello, the mountaintop home all hail from this area. of our nation's third president, Thomas Jefferson. It is the only home The Albemarle County district is the nation's fifth largest wine in America recognized by the United Nations as a World Heritage site. region with over 20 vineyards in the area. There are also several Wine Guided tours are available throughout the year. Jefferson's other lega- Tours along the Monticello Wine Trail. N 26 B M & T ••• July/August 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com