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BARBADOS AREA GUIDES PERFECT OFFSHORE DESTINATION FOR SMALL TO MID SIZED MEETINGS AND CORPORATE EVENTS BY SOLOMON J. HERBERT II Barbados is the ideal location for busi- ness conferences and corporate meet- ings. Conference facilities range from large meeting halls for trade shows or conventions to smaller rooms for work- shops and group meetings. Hotels and conference facilities will provide most of the equipment required and will assist in locating support services for your meet- ings. Special group rates are available at most hotels. The Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre has won several awards for the Caribbean's Leading Conference Centre. This 164 000-sq. ft facility is fully air-con- ditioned with access for the physically challenged. The centre boasts state-of- the-art communications equipment with WIFI connectivity as well as multilingual translation equipment. With over 11 meeting rooms, it also has a Garden the- atre and on-site di ning facilities catering to most dietary needs. Several hotels in Barbados offer con- ference and convention facilities. There is the added convenience of staying in the hotel where the conference or conven- tion is being held. For smaller confer- ences/conventions (less than 150 peo- ple) these facilities are ideal, but for larg- er meetings the Convention Centre is recommended. The Accra Beach Hotel is a perfect option for a medium size event. The con- ference faciliti es are comprised of The Khairoon room, which holds up to 300 persons theater-style. This space can be converted into two rooms holding up to 60 and 100 persons theater-style. Two other rooms known as The Karissa and The Leanna, hold up to 50 and 144 per- sons respectively. The Hilton Barbados Resort is another great option for meeting planners choos- ing a location that houses attendees as Hilton Barbados Resort well as the conference itself. Conference facilities include TheNeedham's Ballroom wi th a 6,200 sq. ft. that accommodates 570 guests. The total square footage including the complex is 10,000with high- speed internet access, executive board- room, three meeting rooms, business centre, exhibition centre and a special group registration area. When business is over, there is all of Barbados' ambiance to enjoy: beautiful white beaches, a variety of watersports, duty free shopping, the scenes and sights of the island, culture and heritage as presented in the dinner shows, and in the exciting and varied nightlife. Barbados provides the right opportunity for amix of business and pleasure! Welchman Hall Gully is a must see attraction for nature lovers. The Flower Forest is also a geographical work of art with 53.6 acres of beautiful paths, trees and flowers along with seven acres of wild garden in the Barbados 'Scotland District' 750 ft. above sea level! Those that want to experience the aquatic side of the island can board Atlantis Submarines, offering an unforgettable undersea expedition. Cool Runnings Catamaran Sailing Cruises specializes in personalized cruises, ensuring the utmost in comfort, service and enjoy- ment. Swim, sail, snorkel and be enter- tained on aDay, Sunset or Private cruise! If you are contemplating bringing an event to Barbados, be sure to contact the Barbados Tourism Authority's Campbell Photo Credit: Barbados Tourism Authority Rudder, VP of Marketing for the United States. He and his team will answer all of your questions and assist you in making yours the most memorable meeting ever. To enter Bar- bados all visi- tors must have a passport and a valid return ticket. Most countries around the world don't require a visa to visit Barbados. The Grantley Adams International Airport offers non-stop flights to Barbados from a number of gateway cities. Many international air- lines serve the island and originate mainly in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Concurrently, some smaller carriers handle traffic from both the Caribbean and South American regions. Dominica, Grenada, Martinique, St. CAMPBELL RUDDER Lucia, St. Vincent as well as Trinidad and Tobago are all islands those com- ing from the United States will transfer through to get to Barbados. They are all 30 minutes to an hour from the island. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Barbados Tourism Authority (800) 744-6244 www.visitbarbados.org Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 61