Black Meetings and Tourism

July / August 2017

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B M & T ••• July/August 2017 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 45 MEETING IN MOTOR CITY IS THE BEST ! BY CLETUS RAMSEY Detroit is America's great comeback story, a city on the upturn and ready for anything. A complete package destina- tion that will make any conference, con- vention or meeting a success. Detroit is also a musical mecca; the undisputed owner of the Motown sound and the place where techno beats first erupted. A host of world-recognized musical festivals and events take place every year, too, attracting celebrated artists from a variety of genres. It's true what people say about Midwestern hospitality, especially when it comes to greeting and helping visitors. They roll out the red carpet to make sure attendees to your metro Detroit meeting find their way around town for great D experiences. The city's hospitality com- munity goes the extra mile to welcome guests and hotels offer concierge servic- es and accommodate special requests. Owned by the Detroit Regional Convention and Facility Authority and operated by SMG, the 2.4 million-sq. ft., the Cobo Center complex, located on the bank of the Detroit River, is the center- piece of downtown Detroit's civic center. The facility offers convenience, comfort, service reliability and fine food. Overlooking the Detroit River and its international neighbor, Windsor Canada, elegant banquet rooms and 141 meeting rooms totaling 200,000 sq. ft. equip Cobo Center to accommodate capacities from 25 to 4,350. While Cobo Center is Detroit's largest convention facility, it is by no means the only place to meet. Many major hotel brands, some of which are in close prox- imity to Cobo, offer impressive function space. The 1,298-room Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center is home to 46 meeting rooms, the largest of which is 25,801 sq. ft. MGM Grand Detroit, offer- ing 400 rooms, features 14 meeting rooms, with the largest at 14,000 sq. ft. able to accommodate 1,300 for recep- tions. The 367-room Crown Plaza – Detroit Downtown Riverfront features 24 meeting rooms, the 148-room DoubleTree by Hilton – Detroit Novi boasts 6 meeting rooms, and the historic Roberts Riverwalk Hotel, with 100 rooms, has 5 meeting rooms, the largest measuring 4,000 sq. ft. Conference attendees can learn about Detroit's role in the Underground Railroad as part of the African-American tour. Because of the city's 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. They can also visit the Motown Museum, which preserves the birthplace of a musical legacy that moved the world, or the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History, the world's largest institution dedicated to the African-American experience! The Wright Museum provides learning opportunities, exhibitions, programs and events based on collections and research that explore the diverse history and culture of African- Americans and their African origins. Another popular attraction is the nearby 250-acre Henry Ford Museum, which delves into 300 years of history through displays 26 million artifacts. Here is where you'll discover America — its culture, inventions, people and can-do spirit — and hundreds of hands- on ways to explore it, enjoy it and be inspired by it. Touch bases with CVB President Larry Alexa nder or Sheila Neal, senior national sales manager, if you are con- templating bringing a meeting or confer- ence event to Detroit. The Bureau will pro- vide all of the sup- port and services your organization needs to guaran- tee a successful experience there. Planning a meeting in Detroit places you close to you and your atten- dees — only a 90-minute flight from 60 percent of the nation's population via the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). AREA GUIDES • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Detroit Marriott At The Renaissance 1,298 MGM Grand Detroit 400 Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront 367 DoubleTree By Hilton – Detroit Novi 148 Roberts Riverwalk Hotel 100 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Cobo Center Total Exhibit Space 700,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 65,535 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 141 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Detroit Metro CVB (888) CALL-DTW (225-5389) www.meetdetroit.com Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce (313) 309-3316 D E T R O I T Photo Credit: Detroit Metro CVB o you and your atten Detroit Skyline

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