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HIGH teCH MeetInGs AGAInst A WILD West BACKDROP BY VICTORIA HEAD Fort Worth, the 17th largest city in the United States and the fifth-largest city within the state of Texas, is a large metropolitan area known for fully embracing its western-ness. But along with its western heritage attractions, Fort Worth is home to a prestigious cul- tural district, several museums, superior convention facilities and an array of accommodations. Downtown you can find the Sundance Square, the city's main art and entertainment center. The Fort Worth Convention Center and the Intermodal Transportation Center, a regional hub for ground transportation, are located just blocks away. Fort Worth's revitalized downtown area is an award-winning model of urban plan- ning. Many hotels in the downtown area have been recently or are current- ly being remodeled. The Omni Fort Worth Hotel opened its doors in early 2009 and consists of 614 guest rooms and suites. Included among the hotel's 68,000 sq. ft. of meet- ing and event space are 29 meeting rooms including the grand Texas Ballroom, which alone encompasses 18,788 sq. ft.. The hotel also houses 6,500 sq. ft. of useable outdoor space and access to the Fort Worth Convention Center meeting space, which includes entry to the stunning Fort Worth Water Gardens. In Fort Worth, you'll also find an amazing variety of convention and meeting facility options. From large, open spaces to extremely intimate rooms, from elegant ballrooms to casual Western-style settings, from dude ranches to domed theaters, from the Stockyards to the Speedway. Fort Worth has a facility to fit every meeting planner's need. The Fort Worth Convention Center has recently undergone a $75 million expansion and renovation. It spans 14 blocks of the city's Central Business District and boasts a 182,266-sq. ft. exhibit hall, 253,226 total sq. ft. of exhib- it space, 41 meeting rooms, a 28,160-sq. ft. ballroom and a 25,960-sq. ft. arena with 10,500 permanent seats. There are many choices for Fort Worth lodging. The downtown area alone offers more than 2,000 hotel rooms. There are over 11,000 rooms citywide that are convenient to down- town. The Worthington Renaissance Hotel offers 504 rooms and has recently undergone an extensive reno- vation. To accommodate meetings and conferences, the hotel has 17 meeting rooms, 57,000 sq. ft. of total meeting space, as well as 12,600 sq. ft. of meeting space in its Rio Grande Room with a maximum seating capac- ity of 1, 400. For all its Wild West ambience, Fort Worth has a cultural district that's home to the city's world-class museums. There is The Kimbell Art Museum, the Amon Carter Museum, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Also found in the district is The Will Rogers Memorial Center, boasting a coliseum, auditorium, equestrian center and arenas for rodeo and livestock shows. The most famous area, however, is probably the historic district, home to the city's stockyards. Ranching and live- stock processing are no longer major players in the Fort Worth's economy, but the historic district honors their past presence with restaurants, gift shops, museums and historic reenactments dedicated to the Wild West. Downtown Fort Worth is only 17.5 miles by ground transportation from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Dallas/Fort Worth Inter- national Airport is one of the busiest airports in the nation, with non-stop service to more than 170 cities world- wide and an average 2,000 flights daily. Be sure to contact the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce when planning your meet- ings. Chandra Barker, Director of Operations, would love to assist you by advising of the wonderful businesses in town that can enhance your event. AREA GUIDES FORt WORtH S T A T S HOTEL ROOMS Worthington Renaissance Hotel 504 Omni Fort Worth Hotel 614 Embassy Suites Fort Worth 156 The Worthington, A Renaissance Hotel 504 Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel & Spa 431 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Fort Worth CoNVENtIoN CENtEr total exhibit space 253,226 sq. ft. largest hall 182,266 sq. ft. meeting rooms 41 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Fort Worth CVB – (817) 336-8791 www.fortworth.com Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce (817) 871-6538 www.fwmbcc.org Fort Worth Stock Yard district Photo Credit: Fort Worth CVB Black Meetings & Tourism October/November 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 98