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B M & T ••• July/August 2017 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 44 AREA GUIDES B A R B A D O S MEETING IN PARADISE BY DOSWELL INGRAM Feel the doors of your imagination open wide when you discover Barbados for therein lays the magic of this island, where you are limited only by your dreams and fancies. Whether you're a conference attendee or a leisure traveler this trip will be one to remember. Barbados is known as a plush, English- speaking resort island and to business people and meeting planners, as an island that works. Nestled in one of the region's top rated destinations is a world-class conference center, the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC). This facility is the premier event cen- ter in Barbados, boasting 11 meeting rooms with a maximum capacity of 1,400 in the largest room. From intimate meet- ing rooms to large conference halls suit- able for conferences, exhibitions, wed- dings, banquets and award ceremonies, the center can comfortably accommo- date your next event with 70,000 sq. ft. of adjustable exhibit space. LESC's cen- tral location makes it the ideal meeting place for the discerning client with easy access to highways, accommodation and air transfers. The Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre is indeed flexible, func- tional, comfortable and convenient. Make Barbados and LESC the choice for your next meeting. Numerous properties in Barbados include conference facilities and are designed to accommodate the needs of business professionals. In addition to the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, one of the island's top meeting facilities is the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex. Besides the fully air-conditioned sports complex that seats close to 5,000 peo- ple, the facility boasts two meeting rooms, the larger of which seats 90 the- atre-style and the smaller, 50 persons. Another option for planners is the 350- room Hilton Barbados Resort, featuring a 6,200-sq. ft. ballroom with a capacity of 500, and 10,000 sq. ft. of flexible space including an executive boardroom, three meeting rooms that can be divided into six breakouts, a Business Center, and an Exhibition Center. Barbados hotels vary dramatically in price, facilities and location, but there is something for everyone. From all-inclu- sive resorts and luxury hotels to smaller intimate hotels and cozy guesthouses, and everything in between! Sandals Barbados, an all-new retreat in the spir- ited St. Lawrence Gap area, offers undeniable luxury with inventive accom- modations spanning three unique vil- lages. This all-inclusive resort features world-class cuisine with international appeal, including a festive Indian restau- rant, and innovative bar and pool designs. Or there's the 33-room Coral Mist Beach Hotel, offering airy and spa- cious deluxe studio apartments (that overlook the white sandy beach and deep blue ocean), private patios and fully equipped kitchens. When the workday is done, for those who aspire for more than just a day spent upon flawless white beaches and beneath perfect blue skies, Barbados offers a number of exciting diversions to satisfy even the most adventurous souls. Offshore, the ocean beckons with the call of a chartered deep sea fishing excursion or a diving expedition to explore the ship- wreck capital of the Caribbean. Various sites on the island tell a story of Barbados' rich culture. The Arlington House was built in the "single" house style that Barbadian settlers carried to Charleston, S.C. This restored 18th cen- tury merchant's house is now a museum that tells stories of sugar, seafaring, and trade. Each of the three floors has a dif- ferent theme. Enter a canefield, pilot a ship, meet a pirate, listen to the locals talk about their town, or eavesdrop on Emancipation rumors — this museum is interactive fun for the whole family. To enter Barbados all visitors 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 (GAIA) lies 8 miles from the center of the capital city Bridgetown, in an area official- ly known as Seawell. • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Hilton Barbados Resort 350 Sandals Barbados 280 Sandals Royal Barbados 222 The Club Barbados Resort & Spa 161 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Lioyd Erskine Sandiford Center Exhibit Space 70,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 11 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Barbados Tourism Authority (800) 744-6244 www.visitbarbados.org Photo Credit Barbados Tourisn Authority Hilton Barbados Resort-Charles Fort Hotel & Beach