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AREA GUIDES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MEETING PLANNER’S WISH LIST BY SOLOMON J. HERBERT II Southern California is a year-round travel destination, with weather that will please everyone from snowbirds to sun worshippers. The best time to visit really comes down to what you want to do and what you want to see.Most peo- ple visit this region of California betweenmid-June andAugust. It’s sum- mertime! Summer inCalifornia is unde- niably delicious, and because of its amazing ambiance and infinite number of attractions SoCal serves as one of the nation’s premier regions for business and leisure travel. Because Southern California is com- prised of several highly populated cities, each with unique qualities and features, ameeting planner would have an abun- dance of tools and resources to pull off the perfect conference. It’s just amatter of which city and at which venue one feels suits the theme of the event the best. Read further to see what SoCal has in stock for you. SAN DIEGO Meeting in San Diego can be inspir- ing, uplifting, and provide you with an endorphin boost so big, it’ll stay with you long after the meeting is over. It’s all about attitude, and San Diego corners the market on the “can do” variety. The contagiously upbeat vibe leads to positiv- ity, productivity, and strong partnerships. Idyllic climate and scenic beauty boost the ambiance free of charge. Framed by 70 miles of Pacific coastline and scenic mountain ranges, San Diego, the nation’s eighth-largest city, features 64 WITHIN REGION AT TOP OF EVERY SPECTACULAR DESTINATIONS executive presentations, national confer- ences, annual banquets or corporate retreats. Perfect for work and play, W San Diego offers everything you need to make your business beautiful, meeting memorable, and special event spectacu- lar. In the right room, big plans come to life. Five state-of-the-art meeting rooms totaling 5,000 sq. ft. conform to your every need. The amazing 1,705-sq. ft. Great Room is just the ticket for your next big idea. Want to take your party to the beach? Take them to the urban rooftop Beach featuring heated sand, cabanas and a fire pit. As if San Diego’s 70 miles of coastline Botanical building and reflection at sunrise, Balboa Park, San Diego. an impressive array of meeting and event venues and a centrally located downtown airport. The San Diego Convention Center is located on sparkling San Diego Bay in the heart of a vibrant downtown. Abundant, flexible space and five-star servicemake the SanDiego Convention Center the meeting planner’s choice for hosting major conventions, trade shows, meetings and special events. From floor plans to pricing guides to policy details, there can never be toomuch information when planning a successful event. The facility boasts 2.6 million gross sq. ft.; 615,701 sq. ft. of total exhibit space and 204,114 sq. ft. of overallmeeting space. Located in the heart of the historic Gaslamp Quarter across from the con- vention center, the 511 room Omni San Diego Hotel puts you close to the city’s top sites and attractions.Explore Balboa Park, take a harbor cruise or catch a Padres baseball game at PETCO Park, connected to the hotel via a pedestrian skywalk. The meeting room facilities at the Omni feature versatile function areas and state-of-the-art technology in an atmosphere of luxurious comfort. Stylish ballrooms, breakouts and board- rooms are the perfect settings for hosting and reliably sunny weather weren’t enough, the city is also home to historic Balboa Park, which is comprised of 15 museums, a replica of Shakespeare’s the- ater and the world famous San Diego Zoo. This park could keep you busy for weeks. Once the museums close, take advantage of San Diego’s lively theater scene. The city’s Latino heritage comes alive at Old Town and Chicano Park, called “The Museum Without Walls.” San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter is the city’s entertainment hub, with over 30 bars and nightclubs all with- in a short distance of each other. Throughout the city, you’ll find DJs spin- ning the latest grooves, flamenco dancing and kitschy-cool, as well as laid-back beach bars and pubs. Live music venues bring the stars of yesterday, today, and tomorrow to downtown, the beach, and Shelter Island. WHOYOUGONNACALL? San Diego CVB (619) 236-1212 www.sandiego.org LONG BEACH Alongside a picturesque harbor on the beautiful PacificOcean,Long Beach is a dream for both conference planners and attendees alike.Small enough to call your own for any number of days, yet offering the experience, diversity and variety of amuch larger city,LongBeach Black Meetings & Tourism May/June 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Photo Credit: Aimin Tang