Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/3108
away. These resorts have been hosting groups since October 2008. To learn more go to their web- site www.galveston.com. While we've focused on warm weather destina- tions island getaways don't always have to reside at or near the tropics. Meeting planners might want to take a look at Mackinac Island, MI. Where is Mackinac Island you might ask? It's in northern Michigan in Lake Huron near where it meets with Lake Michigan. Private vehicles are not allowed on the island. The easiest and best way is to reach Mackinac Island is by using one of the numerous ferryboat companies. It takes just a few minutes. Mackinac has a couple of large resorts perfect for meetings and conventions starting with the Grand Hotel. The two-story Woodfill Conference Center features a theatre and a banquet center that holds up to 500 people. The Mission Point Resort has a 38,000-sq. ft. meeting facility, four restaurants, an 18-hole executive putting course and more. Mackinac Island has carriage tours, biking, water activities, horse rides and so much more. It's a great place worthy of con- sideration for your next event. Log on to mackinacisland.org for more information. The focus of this article was domestic islands so the following two recommendations might not fit that criteria for many readers, but they are both domestic. I'm talking about Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. Both are U.S. terri- tories. Puerto Rico has the largest convention center in the Caribbean at over 500,000 sq. ft. and more than an ample supply of accommodations, nightlife, shopping and other activities. Go to www.prconvention.com. The three islands that make up USVI have a little something for everyone. But the place most meeting planners' will prob- ably check out is St. Thomas and the capital city of Charlotte Amalie. This is the shopping and nightlife capital of the USVI. Many hotels and resorts on St. Thomas can handle those small intimate gatherings or small corporate retreats. Log on to www.usvi.net to learn more. Here are a few more island destinations waiting for your business. Absecon Island is home to the east coast gaming capi- tal of Atlantic City. How about Nantucket Island in Massachusetts or South Padre Island in Texas. Washington State is home to hundreds of islands in the Puget Sound area. Some might be appropriate for your meeting. Another island gem is Coronado Island in San Diego. This island is loaded with upscale properties and meeting space. Oh and by the way, San Diego's temperate climate makes this an ideal year-round location for any event. In tough economic times, these islands just might give you that exotic locale many of us so crave at an affordable price. Black Meetings & Tourism April/May 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 110 San Juan Convention Center, at dusk. Couple walking on beach in St John, one of the USVI