Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/3108
Black Meetings & Tourism April/May 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com English-speaking parish in the United States. Fort Monroe, the largest stone fortress in the United States, is the site of the Casemate Museum. One of Hampton's top visitor attractions is the Virginia Air & Space Center, which has an exhibit on the Tuskegee Airmen. Other places to see include the Hampton History Museum, the Mariners' Museum and the historic Hampton Carousel. NORFOLK Norfolk's unique Waterside Convention Connection is a local hospitality industry alliance that facilitates access to than 1,200 hotel rooms, 55 meeting rooms and 216,000 sq. ft. of con- vention space. Participants include the Waterside Convention Center, the Norfolk Water-side Marriott, the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, the Radisson Hotel Norfolk, the Waterside Festival Market-place and Norfolk Scope, an arena containing 85,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Norfolk's citywide lodging inventory includes 5,200 gue- strooms. One of the city's most noted Black heritage attractions, the Attucks Theatre (once dubbed "the Apollo of the South") offers space for special events. Visitors might also take the opportunity to view the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and the West Point Monument in Elmwood Cemetery, which stands in tribute to African-Americans who fought in the Civil and Spanish-American wars. More local history is highlighted at sites like the Moses Myers House, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the MacArthur Memorial and the Norfolk History Museum at Willoughby Baylor House. Norfolk offers several ways for visitors to explore its mar- itime heritage. They can tour Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base; Nauticus, a 120,000-sq. ft. kid-friend- ly maritime museum; the Hampton Roads Naval Museum con- nected to Nauticus; and the Wisconsin, America's largest bat- tleship, docked just outside the museum. Local outdoor sightseeing and recreational attractions include Norfolk Botanical Garden, located next to the airport; Virginia Zoological Park, on the banks of the Lafayette River; and Ocean View Beach. Fans of the visual and performing arts can check out the offerings at the Chrysler Museum of Art — which has a large collection of photography chronicling the 102 Cruise Ship at Norfolk Port Photo Credit: Norfolk CVB it's in our nature. The Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia have inspired writers, poets, musicians and even presidents. Just imagine how the majestic views and fresh mountain air will affect your next business meeting. Over 683,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, 6,000 guest rooms and countless mountain peaks await. Call or log on today for all the details. Roanoke Civic Center 110,000 Sq. Ft. of Meeting Space 540.853.6860 www.roanokeciviccenter.com The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center 331 Guest Rooms 63,000 Sq. Ft. of Meeting Space 540.985.5900 www.hotelroanoke.com Holiday Inn – Tanglewood 196 Guest Rooms 9,000 Sq. Ft. of Meeting Space 540.774.4400 www.holidayinn.com/roa-tanglewood 1.800.635.5535 www.visitroanokeva.com More inspiring than a motivational speaker.