Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/533451
SEATTLE, WA If you have any reservations about holding your next meeting in Seattle, the tourism office, Visit Seattle, can and will squash all doubts. According to Visit Seattle: "The city has a reputation for meeting excellence along with superb hotel packages, con- vention center location and unique attractions. A combina- tion of these offerings often inspires record-setting atten- dance for groups. Downtown Seattle is a vibrant and walk- able city where planners know their attendees will thrive on the city's culture, creative energy, world-class food and wine and outdoor recreation." In 1990, prior to the opening of the Goodwill games (an international sporting competition held in Seattle during the summer of 1990), another resolution designated Seattle as The City of Goodwill. (Source: Seattle Municipal Archives) Seattle, which had 18.6 million overnight visitors in 2013, has a population of about 634,535, of which 7.8% are African American. CITY HIGHLIGHTS The city is full of things to do and see including: the Northwest African American Museum, the legacy of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, and Seattle Center, a 74-acre urban park and home to the landmark Space Needle. Then there is the Chihuly Garden and Glass, Pacific Science Center, EMP Museum, Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Seattle Children's Theatre, Children's Museum and many other attractions. The Seattle Center also hosts many of the city's largest festivals, including Bumbershoot, Seattle Arts and Music Festival, the Northwest Folklife Festival, the Bite of Seattle and many other community events. The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) cele- brates the rich history of the Pacific Northwest and fea- tures noteworthy exhibits from the Smithsonian and Library of Congress. With more than 50,000 sq. ft., the museum holds four million historic artifacts, including photographs, videos, costumes and interactive objects such as a World War II-era periscope, reflecting the rich history of Seattle's Puget Sound naval culture. MOHAI provides five different venue options for private events. Rentals include the Grand Atrium; Lakefront Pavilion; Lakeview Terrace; West Patio; and Meeting Rooms. Pike Place Market is one of the oldest continuously oper- ated farmer's markets in the U.S. The market presides over a nine-acre historic district in the heart of downtown Seattle. www.pikeplacemarket.org In 2014, Smart Growth America ranked Seattle as the #6 most walkable city in America. Walkable tour options include the Seattle Walking Tours and the Savor Seattle Food Tours. THE ROOM AND CONVENING SITUATION In downtown Seattle, there are 12,308 hotel rooms. Washington State Convention Center has 205,700 total sq. ft. of space. There is 57,000 sq. ft. of carpeted meeting space, divisible into 61 versatile meeting rooms. It also includes four ballrooms, six exhibit halls, two junior ball- rooms and three distinctively appointed executive confer- ence rooms. There is 45,000 sq. ft. of carpeted ballroom space, divisible into four separate ballrooms. There is 57,000 sq. ft. of carpeted meeting space, The Conference Center, located over a sky bridge just across the street from WSCC, has 71,000 sq. ft. and 17 flex- ible meeting rooms. At the Washington State Convention Center there is a service provided called OneStop Meeting for smaller events and meetings of 300 or less. A meeting planner is provided to help plan your event. http://www.wscc.com/venues/wash- ington-state-convention-center The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is located 15 miles south of downtown Seattle. B M & T ••• March/April 2015 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 22 Aerial view of downtown Seattle Photo Credit: Christopher Fell