Black Meetings and Tourism

Black Meetings & Tourism February/March 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 109 infusion of $500 million dollars from individual donors and foundations has created an arts boom that few commu- nities ever experience. For year-round excitement, check out Nickelodeon Universe. With 30+ rides, it's fun for the whole family. Or make a splash at the nearby Water Park of America. A blend of form and function, the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) provides aesthetically pleasing and innovative solutions for a variety of conferences, trade shows and events. With nearly 480,000 sq. ft. of trade show space, 87 column-free con- ference meeting rooms, a 28,000-sq. ft. ballroom, and an auditorium with superb production and flexible tech- nology options, the facility can handle any event from a small meeting to a large convention or trade show. MCC is equipped with a 3,433-seat auditori- um that can divide into a 2,142-seat auditorium with three separate lecture halls. Conveniently located close to freeways and only 20 minutes from the airport on the southern edge of down- town Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Convention Center is easy for atten- dees and exhibitors to find. Plus, the Minneapolis convention, trade show and event center is connected by cli- mate-controlled skyways to the down- town hotels, restaurants and shopping. The Minneapolis area is served by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport with flights to well over 100 domestic cities and 14 international destinations. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Meet Minneapolis (888) 676-MPLS ST. PAUL St. Paul, the capital city of Minnesota, is an emerging center for arts, culture, and entertainment and as such boasts plenty of historic buildings, museums, and sites to explore. Located in the heart of downtown Saint Paul on the banks of the Mississippi River and connected via indoor temperature controlled skyway access to hotels, dining, parking and visitor attractions, Saint Paul RiverCentre is a $250 mil- lion complex offering fully integrated convention, meeting, trade show and special event venues, as well as a state- of-the-art NHL hockey arena. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport is just nine miles from downtown. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? St. Paul CVA (800) 627-6101 AREA GUIDES Aerial View of St. Paul Photo Credit: St. Paul CVA

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