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being a great destination for confer- ences, conventions and special events as well as a prime filming location for Hollywood productions. The Hilton Hotel Shreveport is in a prime location, right in the heart of downtown's vibrant riverfront district and features 313 elegantly appointed guest rooms. Hotel guests has access to over 350,000 sq. ft. of flexible space located in the attached Shreveport Convention Center – accommodating 10 to 1,000 attendees. The Shreveport Convention Center is the single largest public facility in the city. The ground floor houses the main exhibit hall; the second floor contains the ballroom and meeting areas. Flexible in its design, the center can support several different events and meeting groups at one time. AlEXANDRIA/PINEVIllE Alexandria/Pineville, known as the heart of the state and the crossroads of Louisiana, is conveniently located on the banks of the Red River. It is within two hours of Shreveport and Baton Rouge, a little over three hours from New Orleans, and less than an hour from historic Natchitoches along the Cane River. Alexandria/Pineville has scenic hills, bay- ous and prairies, but these cities are also the thriving medical, cultural, financial, and commercial centers for the surround- ing areas. Alexandria/Pineville is also know for its hunting, fishing and sports tourna- ments including softball, soccer, golf and powerboat racing. Links on the Bayou is the City of Alexandria's newest, 18-hole public course. The semi-private Oak Wing golf course is a member of the pres- tigious Louisiana Audubon Golf Trail. This "golfer's paradise" is also home to two additional 18-hole private Country Club courses, two nine-hole public cours- es, one additional 18-hold semi-private course and a 300-yard driving range. At the Frogmore Cotton Plantation and Gins guests can take a guided tour of plantation life from the 1700s – today. The Historical tour reviews slave culture, sharecropping, 1790-1940 plantation life and the viewing of an antique steam gin and furnished slave quarters. The Frogmore Cotton Plantation and Gins was winner of 1999 Louisiana Tourism Award. Additionally, the African- American Cultural Center presents African workshops, artifacts, and authen- tic clothing and jewelry directly from Ghana. Drum classes are available and other workshops include A Taste of African Dishes, Christmas Around the World, Kwanza, and Black History Month. For comfortable accommodations, the Baymont Inn & Suites features indoor corridor access, Fitness Room, Swimming Pool with Hot Tub, Complimentary Continental Breakfast, 32" Flat Screen TV and free airport shuttle. It is located next to Sai Convention Center, which is the largest convention space available in the area, offering 33,500 sq. ft. and a total of 16 break-out areas. The Alexandria International Airport is located nearby with 28 major airline flights daily. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Alexandria/Pineville Area CVB www.louisianatravel.com Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 63 AREA GUIDES Alexandria/Pineville, the perfect meeting location Photo Credit: Alexandria/Pineville Area CVB