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B M & T ••• March/April 2015 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 50 HAWAII There is no place on earth quite like Hawaii. The birthplace of President Barack Obama is one of fresh floral brilliance, with warm sea breezes and tranquil waters. Six of the eight islands are open to visitors from around the world. Oahu means "Gathering Place." That name seems so appropriate as the island attracts more the 7.5 million visitors annually. Among the top attractions are The USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center at Pearl Harbor Museum, the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve and the mountain views of Nuuanu Pali Lookout. Conde Nast readers voted Maui the "Best Island" for 17 straight years. Stroll through the seaside streets of Lahaina or the beaches of Kaanpali. On Kauai, try a hike along the Kalalau Trail. Hilo, located on the rainy side of the Big Island of Hawaii has beautiful rainforests, gardens and waterfalls. Lanai and Molokai are the places to go for an escape from civi- lization. Aerial View of Aulani NEVADA There's plenty to do in Nevada for all types of travelers. The state has more than 100 beautifully well-manicured golf courses; there's tub- ing and kayaking in downtown Reno on the Truckee River and relax- ing by the shores of Lake Tahoe. Reno Tahoe offers nonstop service from approximately 120 daily arrivals and departures at the Reno- Tahoe International Airport, making it easily accessible. The city also provides a first-tier experience without the expense and red tape of a large metropolitan area. The region boast 20,000 hotel rooms near the 500,000-sq. ft. Reno-Sparks Convention Center and Reno Events Center, as well as hosts of other amazing group facilities. Laughlin is sit- uated on a slice of land in the Colorado River Valley, where Nevada, California and Arizona converge. Within the past few decades, this city has earned its rank among tourist and gaming hot spots. With nine major hotel and casino resorts located right on the Colorado River, there is easy access to river activities like fishing, cruising and jet skiing. it hosts 8,400 hotel rooms with the majority of them conveniently locat- ed near the Colorado Convention Center. The Center has 584,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space on one level; 63 meeting rooms, two ball rooms total- ing 85,000 sq. ft., a 5,000-fixed-seat theater and 1,000 parking spaces. Diversity is celebrated in this energizing metropolis as many African- Americans and their contributions are evident throughout the City and County of Denver in business, culture, and government. One of the best ways to explore African-American cultural influences in Denver is to visit the historic Five Points neighborhood, an area steeped in classic jazz his- tory and still home to several first-rate jazz clubs. Easily accessible on foot, by car or by Light Rail, this neighborhood was one of the nation's first business districts to be predominantly African-American owned. Considered the "Harlem of the West" in the early 20th Century, many of the world's greatest jazz musicians played here, including Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis and others. Just blocks from the city center, you'll find the impressive Blair-Caldwell African-American Research Library and a short walk from there is the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center; The center details the contributions Blacks made to the settlement of the American West. Denver Art Museum Photo Credit: Credit Steve Crecelius Photo Credit: Credit Hawaii CVB Truckee river in downtown Reno Photo Credit: PoPMediaGroup NEW MEXICO This almost always sunny state offers a plethora of recreational activ- ities: tennis courts, softball fields, skateboard and in-line skate parks, pub- lic swimming pools and oh yes, golf courses. The Centrally located city of Albuquerque received the only five-star rating from Golf Digest's read- ers for its Southwest Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Course,. Located at the south- ern tip of the state, Las Cruces is a city rich in history, culture and hospi- tality. Outdoor recreation is a way of life with golf courses and touring its many vineyards a favorite pastime. The town of Taos is one of the coun- tries undiscovered American treasures. Filled with 1,100 years of history, culture, ancient society and art, much of it can be seen at the historic Plaza. Just south of Taos, world-class hotels to luxurious resorts, elegant to casual bed and breakfasts and vacation rentals abound in Santa Fe .