Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/280564
B M & T ••• January/February 2014 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 57 Located between the Convention Center and Stanwix Street in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh, the 14-square block Cultural District encompasses over 90 retail shops, 50 dining establishments, seven world-class theaters, eight public parks, art installations and a dozen art galleries. Conference attendees and leisure travelers alike are encouraged to explore the fun activities this district offers. Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is only 25 minutes from Downtown Pittsburgh and supports about 155 non- stop flights per day to 37 destinations. A world-class facility, the airport has been recognized for meeting travelers' needs. •• PHILADELPHIA •• Philadelphia's historic importance is unmatched; as the birthplace of America and the city where freedom was founded, Philadelphia offers attendees an experi- ence they won't find anywhere else. While visitors can still find cobblestone streets and a place to eat pepper pot soup (famous for keeping George Washington and his troops alive during the winter of 1776), they can also take advantage of innovative educational institutions and high-tech meeting facilities. When you host a meeting, conven- tion or tradeshow in Philadelphia, you offer your attendees a destination that is easy to reach and even easier to explore. Once they arrive, they will find all they need within walking distance of their Center City hotels and the Pennsylvania Convention Center: din- ing, shopping, entertainment, history, arts, culture...and more. With over 1 million sq. ft. of sellable space and 79 meeting rooms the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) combines historic preservation and architectural innovation with state-of- the-art technology, making it one of the most adaptable, high-tech convention centers in the nation. And, its conven- ient Center City location means meeting here couldn't be easier. You'll find the ambiance and amenities are hotel-like in both scope and quality. The Pennsylvania Convention Center is more dynamic and flexible than ever before. Philadelphia offers a wide array of options when it comes to lodging, offer- ing planners many different choices to house their group's attendees. Some of these remarkable hotels include The Loews Philadelphia Hotel, The Latham Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott, Philadel- phia Downtown, Hotel Monaco Philadelphia and The Best Western Independence Park Hotel. While in this vibrant city conference attendees must discover Philadelphia's colorful neighborhoods, learn about its rich history of innovation and delve into its spectacular sites and attractions. Endless adventure trails, riverfronts, bicycling and neighborhoods are woven through the city unlike any- where in the U.S. Nicole Johnson-Reece, executive director of the Multicultural Affairs Congress, is responsible for targeting and servicing the African-American market. So make certain your first call is to her at the CVB if you're planning to meet in Philadelphia. P h i l a d e l p h i a recognizes its dis- tinct African- American history, tradition and culture during the annual Black History Month celebration. Highlights include culturally significant exhibitions such as Come See About Me: The Mary Wilson Supremes Collection at The African American Museum in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Theater Company's performance of The Mountaintop, inspired by the last night of Martin Luther King's life, and African- American art tours led by the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. Getting to this historic city is a breeze! At Philadelphia International Airport, 28 airlines operate nearly 600 daily nonstop flights. • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Loews Philadelphia Hotel 581 Courtyard by Marriott, Philadelphia Downtown 498 Hotel Monaco Philadelphia 268 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Cox Convention Center Total Exhibit Space 679,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 55,408 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 79 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Philadelphia CVB – (215) 636-3300 www.discoverphl.com African-American Chamber of Commerce (215) 751-9501 Downtown Philadelphia Center City Photo Credit: Olivier Le Queinec NICOLE JOHNSON-REECE •Pg_46-58__BMT_pg86-162 2/27/14 5:05 PM Page 57