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edly the country's largest performing arts center outside of New York. University Circle, located fourmiles fromdowntown Cleveland, is considered one of the most concentrated square miles of arts and cul- ture in the nation. It's home to more than 20 artistic and cultural venues. The West Side Market is the largest indoor/outdoor market in the country. There are 4,200 hotel rooms in down- town Cleveland and the University Circle area. MYRTLE BEACH, SC It's no secret that Myrtle Beach is a hap- pening place. Considered one of the top domestic tourist destinations in the U.S., Myrtle Beach boasts nearly 14 million visitors annually and has earned the title of the number one family beach in the U.S. Tourist attractions include the T.I.G.E.R.S. (The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species) Preservation Station Tour at Barefoot Landing, Broadway House, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, Flamingo Grill and Divine Fish House. A great place to stay inMyrtle Beach is the Caravelle Resort, which has nine buildings and more than 600 units. The resort has more than 4,000 sq. ft. of meet- ing space, with a 3,900 sq. ft.- banquet/meeting center, a board room, a private dining room and a hospitality room. If you need more meeting space, the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, located in the heart of the Grand Strand, is equipped to service large groups. The exhibit hall is 100,800 sq. ft. The Grand Ballroom is 16,890 sq. ft. Meeting rooms range from 570-1,200 sq. ft. The Special Events Plaza can be used for small con- certs, press conferences or any type of celebration. The space seats up to 100 persons. "The best part of living in Myrtle Beach The Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center has a 100,000 sq. ft. medical mart and an adjoining convention center with 230,000 sq. ft. of exhibit hall space. The facility is also set to include more than 92,000 sq. ft. dedicated to meeting rooms and a Grand Ballroom with stunning views of Lake Erie. The $465 million, LEED silver-certified facility will open in downtown Cleveland August 2013. African-American inspired attractions include: Karamu House, the first African- American theater in the country; The Cleveland Play House, Cleveland Cultural Gardens – African American Garden, African American Heritage Trail, Louis Stokes Museum, Western Reserve Historical Society – Stokes Exhibit, Western Reserve Historical Society – African American Archive Collection. African American eateries include: Angie's Soul Café + Zanzibar Soul Fusion, Hot Sauce Williams and Bubba Q's. The Cleveland Airport is approximate- ly 10 miles outside of the city. For more information visit www.posi- tivelycleveland.com. 22 at the Beach – (350 acres of attractions, hotels, restaurants, shops and a bumpin' nightlife), MagiQuest, a multi-level interac- tive game and Ripley's Aquarium. Along the Grand Strand you'll find the 400-seat IMAX 3D Theatre. "The Grand Strand offers a wide variety of meeting spaces and accommodations, as well as world-class golf, a vibrant culinary scene, live entertaining, and exciting attrac- tions, the perfect way to round out a meet- ing or group event," said Kimberly Miles, PR Manager for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB. "The Myrtle Beach area hosts hundreds of conventions and meetings every year. Myrtle Beach also offers a modern and well-appointed con- vention center, an international airport, and 60 miles of beaches. Meeting planners, tour operators, promoters, travel agents and wholesalers will be sure to find a meeting facility and accommodations to suit their needs." Myrtle Beach highlights include The Carolina Opry Theater, Family Kingdom Amusement Park and Brookgreen Gardens. Restaurants include: Sea Captain's Black Meetings & Tourism January/February 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com is the weather," said Miles. "A temperate climate and sunny weather, plus a dose of Southern hospitality, make the Grand Strand a great place to live year-round. Plus, as a resident of Myrtle Beach, we have access year-round to the wealth of amenities and attractions offered to visi- tors. There is always something to do in Myrtle Beach!" From the west coast, US Airways flies into Charlotte, NC and then on to Myrtle Beach. Other airlines that fly into Myrtle Beach include: Delta, Continental and Spirit Airlines. For more information, visit www.posi- tivelycleveland.com.