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21 B M & T ••• March/April 2017 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Mountains. Other favorite pastimes include exploring the urban neighborhoods of San Diego's downtown, from the iconic Gaslamp District to the eclectic community of Hillcrest; there is also the quaint and charming island town of Coronado. San Diego's regions are so unique and diverse; there are plenty of options to discover. When it comes to planning a major convention or meeting, it's hard to beat the world-class San Diego Convention Center. The 2.6 mil- lion-sq. ft. facility is located downtown along the sparkling waterfront and has plenty of flexible exhibit and meeting space for groups of any size. It's close to everything you need – 11,000 first-class hotel rooms, the best restaurants, exciting entertainment, shopping, and an airport that's just three miles away. Top it all off with San Diego's sunny out- look and an award-winning sales team to assist you with your planning needs, and you've got all the essentials for a successful event. LONG BEACH Dinning on the regal Queen Mary docked at Long Beach's port, experiencing spectacular stirring Broadway shows, enjoying live music venues and hundreds of exclusive dining destinations — all centrally located, Long Beach, CA has it all. Within conveniently close proximity you can find first-class accommodations, shopping, numerous entertainment options and more than 100 restaurants in an eight-block area. To get around Long Beach easily, you'll want to utilize the free Passport shuttle downtown; then, for only $1.25, the Passport links you up with local destinations such as Belmont Shore, Alamitos Bay and Cal State Long Beach. You can also navigate the Long Beach Harbor via AquaBus and/or AquaLink. World-class arts and cultural exhibitions complement this spectacular seaside locale. There are musical masterpieces at the waterside Long Beach Performing Arts Center, million-dollar ocean views atop the bluffs at the Museum of Art within the historic Craftsman mansion, and the dynamic culture of the eclectic East Village Arts District. The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center (LBCEE) offers more than 400,000 sq. ft. of meeting and exhibit space, with new wiring for the latest technology, as well as wireless capability. The center has incorporated the new model for con- temporary convention centers into its renovation efforts; trans- forming it from traditional, meeting rooms into more comfortable lounges aimed at encouraging people to mingle and ideas to flow. It now provides a warm, stylish and welcoming social experience for guests with mini meeting spots and networking pods for sitting, talking and socializing. ARIZONA Arizona, offers the engaging versatilities of desert, pine forests, canyons, mountain ranges, lakes and valleys. Group and leisure trav- elers alike enjoy this state's vast natural beauty, engaging in every- thing from hiking and mountain biking, to downhill skiing or viewing the desert sky. The most famous state attractions include the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest, the Painted Desert, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Fort Apache, and the reconstructed London Bridge at Lake Havasu City. However, the stunning desert setting of Arizona stands in rugged and delightful contrast to its sophisticated urban lifestyle. This Southwest state is well known as a premier meetings destina- tion due to its pleasant year-round climate, urban flair and enticing value-added options and packages designed to maximize any budget. Meeting facilities of all sizes can be found in Arizona, from the award winning High Country Convention Center and Hotel in Flagstaff, to the centrally positioned Centers in Tucson and Mesa and the famous Tempe Market Place. CALIFORNIA California is the Golden state many rush to when seeking the world-famous attractions; from the beauty and tranquility of Yosemite to the joy and thrills of Disneyland, there is a lot to be found, including some of the most diverse hidden gems around. The hardest part about California is selecting a region since entertain- ment, outdoor activities and group attractions are famed from the rolling city hills of San Francisco, to San Diego's 70 miles of majestic coastline. Globally recognized as much for being a beach capital, an environmental awareness hub and cultural hot spot for young Hollywood, the golden state of California offers the ultimate in pos- sibilities. All the regions of California make it as varied as it is intrigu- ing, and offers a wide variety of culture, meetings possibilities and landscapes. SAN DIEGO San Diego is the second largest city in California and the blue skies keep watch over 70 miles of majestic coastline and a gentle Mediterranean climate. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Anza-Borrego Desert and the Laguna Mountains to the east, and Mexico to the south, the diverse neighborhoods of San Diego are spread out over 4,200 square miles, offering endless opportunities for exploration and activities. Travelers can spend a day relaxing in one of the many beach communities or hiking in the east San Diego County Long Beach city harbor view San Diego Convention Center Photo Credit: PopMedia Group Photo Credit: San Diego CVB