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AREA GUIDES GEORGIA THE PEACH STATE OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE BY SOLOMON J. HERBERT II If you are in the business of doing business and you need to seal the deal or book a top-notchmeeting place, then make Georgia your next destination. Whether you’re entertaining several thousand delegates or less than a dozen clients, Georgia stands ready to help you succeed.With a major transporta- tion hub in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, you’ll have easy access to the Atlanta Metro area and throughout Georgia. SAVANNAH For nearly three centuries, visitors have ventured to the Georgia Coast, lured by a sultry Southern belle named Savannah. With her unique blend of history, elegance and charm, it’s no wonder Condé Nast Traveler Magazine named her a “Top 10 American Travel Destination.” Savannah is a leading convention city capable of hosting large, high-level meetings, conventions and special events.With the capacity to accommo- date groups as large as 2,800, Savannah is an ideal choice for everything from board of directors’ meetings to a national association’s annual conven- tion. And her eco-friendly policies make her a smart choice for any organ- ization that believes in the power of “going green.” Savannah gives you a multitude of choices, ranging from historic homes for small, intimate gatherings like The Mansion on Forsyth Park, an 18,000-sq. ft., 126-room property, equipped with 9,500 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a 4,000-sq. ft. ballroom, to the 330,000- sq. ft. Savannah International Trade & 56 Factors Walk by the River, formerly a row of warehouses, which now provides shops, restaurants and offices. Convention Center. This gem of the Historic Meeting District offers the flexibility, capability and capacity you need for major, high-level meetings complimenting any number of guests. And it’s located right in the heart of Savannah, just minutes from the city’s best dining, shopping and entertain- ment. If versatility is what you’re looking for, the Savannah Civic Center delivers with 25,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and a spacious 2,500-seat auditorium. The Center’s Martin Luther King Arena provides seating arrangements ranging from 3,500 to 9,600. With seating for more than 2,500, the Johnny Mercer Theatre offers one of the largest prosceniums in the Southeast. The Center also boasts a Grand Ballroom, two promenades and numerous meet- ing rooms. With a 2.5-mile historic district con- sisting of grand architecture, historic buildings, museums, shops and cafes surrounded by live oaks draped in Spanishmoss, Savannah is a fascinating walking city.And, given the city’s para- normal prominence, interesting yet unconventional walking tours are avail- able.Haunted pub crawls are a favorite with meeting attendees, according to DirkeVon Hollen, CMP, vice president of sales for the Savannah CVB. WHOYOUGONNACALL? Visit Savannah – (877) SAVANNAH savannahmeetings.com ATLANTA Atlanta deftly blends regional pride with a business infrastructure sufficient to establish the city as the true capital of the “new South.”Withmore than 88,000 hotel rooms in themetropolitan area and miles of southern hospitality, the city offers options that combine to make Atlanta the best city with which to do business. The Georgia International Convent- ion Center is Georgia’s newest, second largest convention center. Located adja- cent to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport,and only 10minutes fromdown- townAtlanta, theGICCfeatures 150,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and Georgia’s largest ballroom. Additio-nally, the GICC campus features two convention hotels, a 403-room Marriott headquar- Black Meetings & Tourism March/April 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Photo Credit: Alan Tobey