Black Meetings and Tourism

Black Meetings & Tourism February/March 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 110 THE TRUE SOUTH BY ALBERT BLACKMAN Meeting in Mississippi is made easy by the dedicated professionals ready to provide the standard of excellence you expect as a meeting planner. Cities and towns all across Mississippi offer an extensive array of quality meeting plan- ning services and facilities that can host meetings of all sizes. Mississippi blends the serenity of small communities with the upbeat pace of its cosmopolitan cities. So whether your destination objec- tives favor urban sophistication with exciting nightlife and entertainment or a tranquil "get-away-from-it-all" retreat, in Mississippi you'll find an ideal location suited to your meeting planning needs. Mississippi's culture and heritage is rich- er than the soil of the Mississippi Delta. You can see it in the state's museums, historical homes, Civil War sites and landmarks. You can also see it reflected in the impact of the Mississippi River, in the unfolding of the Civil Rights Movement and in Mississippi's contribu- tions to literature, and fine arts and crafts. Furthermore, the state also is home to the third largest gaming desti- nation in the country, nearly 150 golf courses, and 100 miles of coastline. JACKSON As Mississippi's capital city, Jackson is drowning in a rich history and Southern way of life. The city is home to wonderful musical experiences, performing arts, sports, shopping, and more. Jackson sits at the heart of the Hospitality State at the meeting on Interstates 55 and 20. Boasting 5,500 first-class hotel rooms, Jackson will more than accommodate your lodging needs. Choose from restored historic bed and breakfast inns to extended stay facilities to properties offering the modern amenities required by the business traveler. The 400+ restau- rants in the Jackson metro area offer an array of choices from true Southern cui- sine to Thai, Caribbean and everything in between. Jackson is easily accessible. The Jackson International Airport is the com- mercial airport serving Mississippi's Capital City with daily flights operated by American Eagle, ASA, ComAir, Continental Express, Delta, Northwest, Southwest and US Airways Express. African-American history is an essen- tial part of the Jackson experience. Everywhere you turn there is a com- pelling site to discover. From the thou- sands of artifacts on display at the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center, to the grand turn of the century architec- ture on the campus of Tougaloo College. Discover the Farish Street Historical District, a 125-acre late 19th century grid- patterned neighborhood, where you will find more than 100 years of African- American heritage. Some sites within the area include the 930 Blues Cafe, the newly renovated Alamo Theater, Birdland (formerly known as The Crystal Palace Nightclub) where the likes of Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong performed, and the Smith Robertson Museum. Stop by the Old Capitol Museum, home to the first permanent Civil Rights exhibit in the nation. Immerse yourself by taking the Civil Rights Driving Tour, which features sites such as Freedom Corner, the Medgar Evers Library/Statue, Jackson State University, Margaret Walker Alexander National African-American Research Center and the historic Tougaloo College. Other sites along the driving tour include several historic churches. The Jackson Convention Complex, opened in January 2009, has transformed the meetings landscape in the city. Built to green-facility standards, the Jackson Convention Complex features 128,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, encompassing a 60,000-sq. ft. exhibit hall, a 25,000-sq. ft. ballroom, and 33,000 sq. ft. of lobbies, concourse, and pre-function areas. The complex features multiple easy-access loading docks, two full-service concession areas, two boardrooms, 10 meeting rooms, and more – all accented by the very latest in fiber optic technology, Wi-Fi capability, and state-of-the-art sound. And, the complex is located within walk- ing distance of many fine restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues down- town. Whether you are looking for hotel facilities to hold an event or want some- thing more "truly Southern," Jackson sits ready and willing to showcase her culture and her heritage to meeting delegates. How about a catfish fry reception at the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum where attendees can stroll along the streets of Smalltown, Jackson Skyline Photo Credit: Jackson CVB MISSISSIPPI AREA GUIDES

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