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B M & T ••• July/August 2014 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 55 PLANNING YOUR NEXT EVENT….THE BARBADIAN WAY BY REGGIE MURPHY In Barbados, the people have mas- tered the art of fine living and will offer daily lessons for those who seek to do the same. Here in Barbados, you'll discover a vibrant culture passionate in spirit and full of life. A place where refined luxury and exceptional culinary delights dance and mingle among lush tropical greenery, limpid blue waters and warm golden sunlight. Spend a day on a white sandy beach. Try some flying fish. Enjoy a rum punch. Learn to trade the rush, rush for the slow and easy. Just give Barbados a few days and you won't remember the old you. Business is always a pleasure in Barbados. The islands conference center, support resources and daily international and regional air service, when combined with the lively culture, exceptional dining and abundant recreational pursuits, create the ideal setting for any corporate meeting or event. Numerous properties in Barbados include conference facilities and are designed to accommodate the needs of business professionals. Some of the islands top meeting facilities include The Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex and The Hilton Barbados Resort which is by the way a great choice for meeting planners because of its amenities in that it is a hotel as well as meeting venue. Be sure to contact Campbell Rudder, vice president of Marketing, USA, if you are contemplating bring- ing a conference to Barbados. He and his team will provide all the information and support you will need for a success- ful and memorable meeting. Crop Over is Barbados' biggest and best-loved festival, which sees the whole island taken over by the party spirit. Events last five weeks (July-August) and rev- elers can expect a heavy mix of live music, dancing, carnival, markets, cul- tural presentations and more. For those who aspire for more than just a day spent upon flawless white beaches and beneath perfect blue skies, Barbados offers a number of exciting diversions to satisfy even the most adventurous souls. Offshore, the ocean beckons with the call of a chattered deep sea fishing excursion or a diving expedition to explore the shipwreck capital of the Caribbean. Inland, the diverse terrain of the island offers a number of activities to enjoy, including zip lining through a dense tropical forest, discovering the water-carved caverns of Harrison's Cave or hiking among the flora and fauna of Welchman Hall Gully, Flower Forest or the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. When the sun goes down in Barbados, the party is just beginning. Travel anywhere on the island and you're certain to find a place to let loose long into the night. From beach, wine and sports bars to jazz, reggae and nightclubs even live theatre and opera can be found. To enter Barbados all visitors must have a passport and a valid return ticket. Most countries around the world don't require a visa to visit Barbados. The Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) lies 12.9 km (8 mi.) from the centre of the cap- ital city Bridgetown, in an area official- ly known as Seawell. The airport lies in the southeastern portion of the parish of Christ Church, close to the southern tip of the entire island. The airport is provided with easy access to the ABC highway/highway 7 head- ing towards the capital and locations to the north and west coast of the island. The Grantley Adams Airport also serves as the main air-trans- portation hub for the Eastern Caribbean. AREA GUIDES B A R B A D O S Hilton Barbados Resort Charles Fort Hotel & Beach Photo Credit: Barbados Tourism Authority • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Hilton Barbados Resort 350 Accra Beach Hotel & Spa 280 The Crane Residential Resort 150 Amaryllis Beach Resort 150 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Center total exhibit space 100,000 sq. ft. meeting rooms 10 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Barbados Tourism Authority (800) 744-6244 www.visitbarbados.org CAMPBELL RUDDER