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an EVER ChanGinG MEETinG & VaCaTiOn DESTinaTiOn BY NORMAN MAYERS When you are looking for the perfect family vacation, weekend getaway or meeting destination with a sense of his- tory, Missouri is the place. With loads of family attractions, beautiful parks, and rolling countryside, there is something to please every taste. With its history of jazz greatness and African-American her- itage, the state is also a wonderful place to learn about the past. Excellent meet- ing facilities and convention hotels also make the state a hub for business in the Midwest. ST. LOUiS Why should you host a meeting in St. Louis? For one the city's downtown resurgence has added more than $4 bil- lion in development. The very large America's Center is still one of the best meeting facilities around. In addition to more than 500,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, first-class catering options, and easy access, America's Center also provides more than 80 flexible meeting rooms, the 1,400-seat Ferrara Theatre, the 67,000- seat Edward Jones Dome, and the IACC certified Executive Conference Center. And who could forget the St. Louis Union Station Marriott. This hotel radi- ates with architectural elegance, is recog- nized as a Historic Hotel of America, and boasts a 16,000-sq. ft. ballroom. St. Louis' hotels are experiencing a building boom. A Four Seasons hotel has just opened offering 200 spacious guest rooms and suites, as well as a 12,000-sq. ft. luxury spa, an expansive fitness center, pool, and a 24-hour business center. The Adam's Mark hotel was rebranded as the Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront after undergoing a $63 million dollar, building-wide renovation. The former Hyatt Regency at Union Station has been re-flagged as the St. Louis Union Station Marriott, and has undergone considerable upgrades. St. Louis also boasts a considerable amount of heritage sites worth exploring. The Old Courthouse in Downtown St. Louis is one of America's most impor- tant historic sites. It was here that Dred Scott sued for his freedom. Other sites include the Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing, the Missouri History Museum, and the Black World History Museum which features wax figures as well as a recreation of a slave ship. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? St. Louis CVC - (800) 325-7962 www.explorestlouis.com KanSaS CiTY Kansas City is an energetic destina- tion forged by a rich history, lined with impressive boulevards, spacious parks and 200 beautiful fountains. The city's downtown area has experienced a major renaissance that has added many new attractions and improved the ones already here. The renovated Kansas City Convention Center received now has one of the 10 largest ballrooms in the country at 46,484 sq. ft. The opening of the Kansas City Power & Light District has re-energized downtown, transforming it into a lively hub for entertainment, retail, and dining for both locals and visitors alike. On the eastern edge of the new entertainment district is the 18,500-seat Sprint Center. Kansas City is also renowned for its lega- cy of jazz and blues and with more than 20 nightclubs featuring jazz on a regular basis this reputation is well earned. Relive the heyday of the era at the American Jazz Museum in the Historic Jazz District. Air travel into the area is via Kansas City International Airport. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Kansas City CVB - (800) 767-7700 www.visitKC.com BRanSOn Branson is an incredible value with more than 50 live performance theaters, three pristine lakes, 12 championship golf courses, an international award-winning theme park, dozens of attractions and museums, shopping galore, a full range of dining options, and a host of hotels, motels, resorts and meeting and confer- ence facilities. The Branson Convention Center offers 220,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, including two exhibit halls totaling 50,000 sq. ft. There is also a 23,000-sq. ft. ballroom. Branson Airport is just eight miles south of the city and provides nonstop service from Atlanta. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Branson Lakes Area CVB (800) 315-8601 www.meetinbranson.net Black Meetings & Tourism April/May 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 121 AREA GUIDES St. Louis Skyline Photo Credit: St. Louis CVC MiSSOURi