Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/5950
Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 47 two-room suites along with meeting spaces that are ideal for smaller events. Now open less than a block from the conven- tion center, the Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel and Spa offers 430 guest rooms and 22,000 sq. Ft. of meeting space. In addition to new hotel rooms, Fort Worth has added 1,500 new restaurant seats downtown. Recently opened restaurants include Shula's 347 Grill (Sheraton); Ruth's Chris Steak House (Hilton); The Vault (The Tower); Bob's Steak & Chop House (Omni) and Grace (Carter & Burgess building). These enhancements to our current product offering along with our outstanding attractions continue to enhance Fort Worth's reputation as one of the premier meeting destinations in the nation. Now more than ever, meeting professionals are facing unique challenges given the current eco- nomic climate. In an effort to sup- port them, the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau and the City's hospitality partners are offering the "Fort Worth Meal Deal." Fort Worth shares the cost of a meal function and passes the savings back to qualifying groups. Meeting professionals can also save up to 60 percent on zone fares to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport through a special partnership with American Airlines Group & Meeting Travel Department. Fort Worth also has an outstanding array of affordable attractions, which often offer discounted group rates or spe- cial incentives to meeting planners. For individual travelers, Fort Worth's many free or low cost attractions including the Fort Worth Herd, the world's only daily cattle drive; free museums; the Fort Worth Water Gardens; the Heritage Trails markers and many others offer great options for very little or no cost. Fort Worth attracts over 5.5 million visitors per year, and we think that is in part due to how affordable it is to stay here. In fact, we were recently named the #4 value friendly destina- tion by Hotwire.com. Our outstanding hotels, attractions, entertainment options, restaurants, and other amenities con- tinue to enhance Fort Worth's reputation as one of the top destinations in the nation. Additionally, visitors feel extremely welcome in our city. To enhance this positive aspect of visiting Fort Worth, we are participating in the Dallas Fort Worth Area Ambassadors Program. The main focus of the program is offering training to become a Certified Tourism Ambassador. The goal of the CTA program is to increase guest service levels and the eco- nomic impact of tourism in the North Texas region. Three other CVB presidents – Wanda Collier-Wilson (Jackson, MS CVB), William Talbert (Greater Miami CVB), and Steve Moore (Greater Phoenix CVB) were unable to respond to our questions prior to press dead- line. Hopefully they will be able to participate next year.