Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/799467
B M & T ••• November/December 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 44 WASHINGTON, DC The contributions of African Americans to the landscape and culture of our nation's capital runs deep. From Benjamin Bannaker, a free African-American scientist and surveyor who was part of the team that surveyed the original borders of the District of Columbia to President Barack Obama, this city is the embodiment of the African American experience. Whether you are bringing a board meeting of 20, a family reunion of 200, or a convention of 15,000, DC will meet and exceed your expectations. For larger events, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center is a 2.3 million-sq. ft. facility with 77 meeting rooms that is located between the historic Arts District/U Street/Shaw district and the revital- ized Downtown/Penn Quarter/Chinatown district. Nearby, the Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square combines simple elegance and modern ameni- ties to create a versatile space perfect for smaller events. Located across the street from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, this historic landmark has awe-inspir- ing architecture, spacious rooms, and a 150- seat theater. The city features over 30,000 hotel rooms with several thousand more in the sur- rounding area easily accessible by public transportation. DC's newest and largest property, the Marriott Marquis Wash-ing- ton, DC, features 1,175 sleeping rooms, 105,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and is con- nected to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center via underground con- course. Other meeting hotels include the Grand Hyatt Washington (44,000 sq. ft.), Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel (89,054 sq. ft.), and the Hyatt Place Washington DC/Georgetown/West End (2,200 sq. ft.). Perhaps no other city has more world-renowned monuments, museums and his- VERMONT What's a vacation without ice cream? Vermont's top tourist attraction is Ben & Jerry's Factory Tours in the town of Waterbury. Visitors view the manufactur- ing process and a little sampling is in order. Vermont is an agricultural-paradise known for its abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. The farmers here make it easy to pick your own for the journey home. The picking season starts in early summer with berry season and in fall its Apple season. Follow Route 2 into the Lake Champlain Islands to Hackett's Orchard where you can wonder around trees weighed-down by 45 varieties of apples. Vermont is also known for its maple syrup, cheese and of course chocolate. There are several chocolatiers in Burlington, Stowe, Montpelier, Arlington and Brattleboro to choose from. In addition to its pristine lakes and wilderness, there is a full menu of winter sports activities from skiing to snow- boarding. History buffs will enjoy a tour of the Rokeby House a National Historic Landmark and Underground Railroad stop. i Burlington, R k by House a Group of Skiers in Killington, Vermont d g f th c ti sm th C in s w r tr p to 1 n C c G R ( W (2 world-ren B M 4 Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial,Wash, DC