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B M & T ••• July/August 2015 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 27 AREA GUIDES D E T R O I T BOASTING SOME OF THE LARGEST MEETING FACILITIES IN AMERICA, DETROIT OFFERS MEETING PLANNERS TOP LEVEL HOSPITALITY SOLOMON J. HERBERT II Detroit is a city on the upturn; a city ready for what's next. It's a complete- package destination that can make any conference, convention or meeting a suc- cess. The Detroit area is surging with 21st century industries and an influx of entrepreneurs, techies and creatives. Inc. magazine dubbed Detroit "Startup City USA." High-tech startups and business incubators are creating a buzz, and today's young innovators and game- changers are coming here to learn, work, live and play. It's true what people say about Midwestern hospitality, especially when it comes to greeting and helping visitors. They roll out the red carpet to make sure attendees to your metro Detroit meeting find their way around town for great D experiences. The city's hospitality com- munity goes the extra mile to welcome guests and hotels offer concierge servic- es and accommodate special requests. Touch bases with CVB President Larry Alexander or Sheila Neal, senior national sales manager, if you are contemplat- ing bringing a meeting or con- ference event to Detroit. The Bureau will pro- vide all of the support and services your organization needs to guarantee a suc- cessful experience there. Detroit put the world on wheels and it's a city proud of its roots in manufactur- ing, featuring automotive museums, pre- served plants, historic landmarks and the childhood home of great innovator Henry Ford, the father of the modern-day assembly line. Owned by the Detroit Regional Convention and Facility Authority and operated by SMG, the 2.4 million-sq. ft., the Cobo Center complex, located on the bank of the Detroit River, is the center- piece of downtown Detroit's civic center. The facility offers convenience, com- fort, service reliability and fine food. Overlooking the Detroit River and its international neighbor, Windsor Canada, elegant banquet rooms and over 100 meeting rooms totaling 200,000 sq. ft. equip Cobo Center to accommodate capacities from 25 to 2,500. Major hotel brands like DoubleTree, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Marriott, Westin and three top-of-the-line casino hotels — are all just minutes away from Cobo Center on Detroit's international riverfront. For historic Detroit attractions, visit the elegant homes of the auto barons including Dodge and Ford, or explore the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, the birth- place of the Model T. The Henry Ford, America's greatest history attraction, offers a tour of the Ford Rouge Factory that showcases environmental innovation and industrial production. Tour the Automotive Hall of Fame with in-depth visual and interactive exhibits about auto- motive history, its leaders and innovators. Check out the 100 galleries of The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), with a col- lection that is among the top six in the United States. Explore the Detroit Historical Museum across from the DIA with its popular Streets of Detroit show- case. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is the only one of its kind in the country. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) for an edgier arts experience. Performing arts offerings include Broadway shows, headliner entertainers, opera, and dance. Conference attendees can learn about Detroit's role in the Underground Railroad as part of the African-American tour. Because of the city's strong African- American heritage, The D was designat- ed the first authenticated African- American Heritage Destination in the world by the Travel Professionals of Color. They can also visit the Motown Museum, which preserves the birthplace of a musical legacy that moved the world. Planning a meeting in Detroit places you close to you and your attendees — only a 90-minute flight from 60 percent of the nation's population via the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Detroit Marriott At The Renaissance 1,298 Greektown Casino-Hotel 400 Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront 367 Courtyard Marriott – Downtown Detroit 260 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Cobo Center Total Exhibit Space 700,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 130 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Detroit Metro CVB (888) CALL-DTW (225-5389) www.meetdetroit.com Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce (313) 309-3316 Detroit Skyline at dusk Photo Credit: Detroit Metro CVB LARRY ALEXANDER