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GREAT LAKES STATE OFFERS SUPERB MEETING ENVIRONMENT TOO BY SOLOMON HERBERT II Known for its many Great Lakes, Michigan is a premier location for meet- ings of all sizes. Stand anywhere in Michigan and you are within 85 miles of a Great Lake. The state has a combina- tion of a big city environment within Detroit to the great outdoors feel within Grand Rapids. Because Michigan has more public golf courses than any other state in America, meeting planners can look forward to including a round of golf in the itinerary in just about any region of the state. With 2,478 non-motorized trails, Michigan takes the lead as the #1 trail state in America, offering yet another activity planners can include in any itinerary preparing for a meeting here. Conference attendees can spend a quiet day discovering your own cor- ner of Michigan's 19 million acres of woods, or join the thousands that gath- er for festivals held all summer long cel- ebrating Michigan's heritage and com- munity spirit. ••DETROIT•• 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. Metro Detroit contributes to Michigan's title as the Arsenal of Innovation, with the largest pool of engi- neers and technical professionals in the U.S. And many of these great minds are thinking green — designing, engineering and building lithium-ion batteries, solar cells, windmills and other alternative ener- gy sources. The Cobo Center offers convenience, comfort, service reliability and fine food. Overlooking the Detroit River and their international neighbor, Windsor Canada, the facility's elegant banquet rooms and over 100 meeting rooms totaling 200,000 sq. ft. equip Cobo Center to accommo- date capacities from 25 to 2,500. With more than 40,000 competitively priced hotel rooms, a meeting in Detroit provides a full menu of accommodations from luxury to boutique hotels and charm- ing inns. 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. 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 cities 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. Detroit's influence stands as strong as the sounds of the Motown Museum, which preserves the birthplace of a musi- cal legacy that moved the world, and there are many more stories throughout The D. History and its makers are show- cased at The Henry Ford. Culture and contributions are celebrated at the Arab American National Museum. From the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History to Greektown, Mexicantown and Corktown, you'll find B M & T ••• July/August 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 35 AREA GUIDES M I G H I G A N • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Detroit Marriott At The Renaissance 1,298 Greektown Casino-Hotel 400 Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront 367 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Detroit Metro CVB Total Exhibit Space 700,000 sq. ft Meeting Rooms 130 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Detroit Metro CVB (888) CALL-DTW (225-5389) (u)www.meetdetroit.com(eu) Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce (313) 309-3316 Detroit Skyline Photo Credit: Linda Parton