Black Meetings and Tourism

Black Meetings & Tourism June/July 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 48 teams at play or getting in some tee time at the Tour 18 Golf Course, which has replicas of 18 holes from 16 of the world's most famous courses. With Dallas-Fort Worth International being the third busiest airport in the world, with about 1,600 flights per day, air travel to the city is easy. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system of buses and light rail includes service to the convention cen- ter. The Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau can help meeting and event plan- ners with press releases, media contacts, discount coupons for local attractions, restaurants and shops, registration assis- tance, coordinating site inspections, hous- ing assistance and putting together a per- sonalized Web page to promote the event. For more information call (214) 571- 1000. DAYTONA BEACH, FL Largest meeting venue: Ocean Center— 205,536 sq. ft. of meeting and exhibit space Number of area guestrooms: 12,000+ "The Daytona Beach area has always been known as a 'value destination' for travelers at all budget levels," says Lori Campbell Baker, director of Communica- tions for Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Being predominantly a drive market, the area is highly accessi- ble via Interstates 4 and 95, as well as US1 and A1A." Once they arrive in Daytona, visi- tors will find a number of notable African-American heritage attractions, including the Mary McLeon Bethune Home & Gravesite at Bethune- Cookman University, the Harvey W. Lee Jr. Memorial Gallery-Mary McLeod Bethune Fine Arts Center, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark and Statue and the African American Museum of the Arts in neighboring DeLand. The Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory offers free tours and samples, and tours of the cultural center and museum at The Casements — the former winter home of John D. Rockefeller in nearby Ormond Beach — are also free of charge. Of course, the area's most famous attractions are its beaches and the Daytona International Speedway — where the Daytona 500 Experience IMAX Theater brings most as close as they'll ever get to the driver's seat on the race- way. For meeting groups, the Ocean Center's new "Hot Dates" promotion offers a 10% discount on all facility rentals through the end of 2009. Another market- ing campaign touting Daytona's travel bar- gains directs viewers to a Web site, www.daytonasummersale.com, for infor- mation. Convention services include volunteer greeters; coupon books for local restau- rants, shops and attractions; and on-site registration assistance. Some services are provided at no charge, depending on the total number of room nights booked. Getting around is convenient and affordable on VOTRAN, Volusia County's public transit system. From mid January to Labor Day, visitors can ride the VOTRAN trolley along Atlantic Avenue. For more information call (386) 255- 0415. GREENSBORO, NC Largest meeting venue: Sheraton Greensboro Hotel & Kouri Convention Center — 250,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, a business center, 1,106 gue- strooms Number of areas guestrooms: 16,000+ "Greensboro has been recognized by many meeting planners and visitors as a very cost sensitive city," says Gail Murphy, director of marketing/commu- nications for the Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. "The wide variety of hotels and meeting sites is the reason most often cited by planners. There is a great choice in price ranges and amenities, from full-service properties to rooms-only properties." Murphy adds that many local hotels and attractions have been offering sum- mer specials such as rate discounts and add-ons. In addition, she says the city's central North Carolina location and easy accessibility from throughout the East Coast makes it an affordable choice for travelers. "Getting here by car or air is very economical because of the location," she says. Greensboro offers an impressive list of cultural and historical attractions, including Couple enjoying time out at the beach Photo Credit: Daytona Beach CVB Vistor's viewing items on display at the Historical Museum Photo Credit: Greensboro CVB

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