Black Meetings and Tourism

Black Meetings & Tourism February/March 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 38 nearly everyone to enjoy. Like fine dining. Exclusive shop- ping. Hot nightlife. Sensuous spas. Endless rounds of golf. Outdoor activities. And of course, our world-famous theme parks and attractions. EXPANDING THE BASICS But remember, we still have all of the basics covered. Our nearly 450 hotels currently tout more than 3 million sq. ft. of meeting space. Not to mention the Orange County Convention Center, with its 2.1 million sq. ft. of exhibit space. An additional 4,000 rooms and 434,000 sq. ft. of space will become available as new convention hotels debut during the next two years. We're talking about properties opening this year like the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, which includes the first-ever Waldorf=Astoria built outside of New York City. And the 18-story Hilton Orlando Convention Center, with 1,400 rooms and 130,000 sq. ft. of space. HEALTHY & GREEN With more than 150 biotechnology and life science com- panies currently calling Orlando home, we have some sur- prising assets. But when the Burnham Institute for Medical Research opens in just a few months, we're ushering in a whole new era for the destination. And that means nearly endless possibilities for medical meetings in Orlando. We've also gone green. Many Orlando-area convention hotels have become designated properties in the Florida Green Lodging Program by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Not to mention that the Orange County Convention Center is a global leader in sustainabil- ity, and the first U.S. facility of its kind to be ISO 14001-cer- tified for its recycling program. BOOK NOW & SAVE Take part in the Orlando CVB's 25th Anniversary Savings Celebration, featuring more than 25 hotel and resort offers. In return, you may receive 25% off your hotel master account. Plus, take advantage of special air- line and car rental offers. For more information, go to orlandoconventions/com/25. CONTACT: Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. 6700 Forum Drive, Orlando, FL 32821-8017 Phone: (800) 554-1542 Web: orlandoconventions.com Florida Special Advertising Section WALT DISNEY WORLD Meetings at Walt Disney World have always benefited from a combination of unique attributes that together help planners realize more value than any other destination on earth. It starts with intangibles like Disney's unparalleled cre- ative resources, imaginative settings, story-telling expertise, attention to detail, and wealth of experience. But it doesn't end there – we also bring real savings to the bottom line with something we affectionately refer to as the "Disney Advantage." It starts the moment your attendees touch down in Orlando with no-cost roundtrip airport transfers and luggage delivery right from the plane to your attendee's rooms, all seamlessly handled without service gratuities or hassling with airport baggage claim. And once they get here, your attendees never need to rent a car or spend cab fare with complimentary Disney transporta- tion throughout the Resort. When it comes to delivering your message, you'll enjoy complimentary creative brainstorming with the Disney Event Group, the world-renowned experts at producing unparalleled meeting & convention experi- ences. Disney Institute professional development pro- grams take participants behind the scenes to meet with Disney leaders, benchmark proven success strategies and discover ways to adapt Disney best practices into their own work environment – and you don't have to cover the costs of flying them in! Designed by "Imagineers" who leave no detail unturned, Disney's world-famous Theme Parks offer an unlimited diversity of multi-million dollar event back- drops that simply can't be duplicated anywhere on earth. Where else can your attendees partake in a street party and dinner in the heart of an authentic African village, then travel across continents to enjoy desserts at the base of Mt. Everest while coming face to face with the Yeti, all in the same night? Or enjoy the cultures, customs and cuisine of 11 nations at World Showcase in Epcot, followed by an awe-inspiring nighttime fire- works and laser spectacular? Having a corner of our world all to yourselves is something you and your atten- dees will never forget. Walt Disney World is also home to six award-winning convention resorts for groups of virtually every size and budget. Together, they offer 5,072 guest rooms and suites and over 600,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and function space – including Disney's Coronado Springs, which recently introduced an all-new Business Club level and reimagined guest rooms designed with meeting and busi- ness professionals in mind. Imagineered for affordability and convenience, the southwestern architecture perfect- Walt Disney World complex Photo Credit: Roberto A Sanchez

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