Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/157113
•pg_30-43_ICI__BMT_pg3-58 8/12/13 8:48 PM Page 40 New Jersey Performing Arts Center port, Newark Liberty International. The NJPAC is renown for its world-class events and contributions to the greater Newark and Northern New Jersey area. The NJPAC features music, comedy, film, jazz and dance from the world's top celebrities. The 2013/2014 schedule includes performances by Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Sergio Mendes, Al Jarreau and Jeffery Osborne. The American Song Series Showcase features Broadway stars Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin. For a little laugher Bill Cosby and Don Rickles are slated to perform throughout the NJPAC season. The NJPAC is available for corporate events and meetings. Send an email to theatersquareevents@njpac.org or call (973) 242-6000. Newark's top sports venue is the Prudential Center, known to many as "The Rock." The facility is home to hockey's New Jersey Devils and the WNBA's New York Liberty and hosts over 200 concerts and events each year. Super Bowl 2014 will be held in nearby MetLife Stadium with many Super Bowl related events to be held at "The Rock," and other Newark venues. The Lincoln Park Music Festival is one of the city's largest attended by over 40,000 annually. For shopping Newark's Ironbound District is one of New Jersey's top dining, sports and entertainment destinations with over 170 restaurants renowned for European and South American fare. The Outlet Collection – Jersey Garden is the state's largest outlet mall just five minutes from Newark Airport. Rather than go into New York City and pay the expense of a Manhattan meeting venue or hotel room, try some of the properties located at Newark Airport. The 40 Newark Liberty Marriott has 591 rooms and 13,000 sq. ft. of banquet and meeting space and 19 meeting rooms. The Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel is located just one mile from the airport and boasts the most meeting space in the area at 17,000 sq. ft. and 397 rooms. The Path Subway Trains can take you from Newark to lower Manhattan in just 15 minutes. Path trains run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is the best option for trips back and forth to New York City. Another transportation option from the airport to downtown Newark is an AirTrain to NJ Transit. These AirTrains stop at all terminals and run 24/7. To learn more about Newark click GoNewark.com. All the destinations listed above have common threads and themes that ooze family-friendly. Some parents put a premium on including education as part of the total experience and these destinations certainly have plenty of museums and cultural events for your participation. Every city has a kid-friendly hotel property with kitchens to save you a few bucks. But everything can't be about the kids. After all, what's a vacation if you can't take a few minutes out for some well-needed rest and relaxation of your own? From Miami to Philadelphia and all destinations in between, each has plenty of adult entertainment options from quaint romantic restaurants with world-class cuisine to nightlife, spas and golf. In keeping with the African-American tradition of combing meetings and conventions with family vacations, check with hotel properties and event organizers for babysitting services; you'd be surprise what you might uncover. Also, many of the CVBs have contacts with licensed babysitting services so you too can have a vacation. B M & T ••• July/August 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com