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B M & T ••• March/April 2018 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 28 D allas is the top event and meeting destination in Texas, thanks to the strong economy and low labor rates. With more than 13,000 Downtown Dallas area hotel rooms, 35 new hotel projects in the works and a booming 1 million-sq. ft. convention center, Dallas has an accommodation type and price point for every preference and budget. Green spaces and walkable neighborhoods in the heart of the city, six professional sports teams and a sprawling arts district are just a few of the Dallas entertainment options that encour- age days and nights full of adrenaline and excite- ment for conference attendees as well as leisure travelers. Located in the heart of downtown Dallas, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas is one of Trade Show Executive Magazine's top ten convention centers. The KBHCCD is one of the largest in the nation and connects to the 1,001- room Omni Dallas Hotel via skybridge. The venue is fully equipped for events of any size boasting 1 million sq. ft. of exhibit space, 724,526 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, 403,310 total sq. ft. of column-free exhibit space, 65,124 sq. ft. of Ballrooms (all 3 ballrooms can be divided into 4 sections) and 88 meeting rooms. Dallas delivers BIG in the arts and culture scene thanks to the largest contiguous urban arts district in the country. Start your visit at the Dallas Museum of Art and the Crow Collection of Asian Art, which both offer free admission. Housed in four vaulted galleries, The African- American Museum explores the African- American experience through exhibits and dis- plays. This museum is the only institution of its kind in the Southwest offering an impressive col- lection of African and African-American art, fea- turing one of the largest folk art collections in the nation. It is a treasury of art and culture recog- nized as a vital part of the black heritage. While in Dallas don't forget to explore some of the cities popular African-American historic sites, such as the Juanita Craft House, Freedman's Cemetery, The Deep Ellum District and The Tenth Street Historic District just to name a few. Juanita Craft permitted her house of 50 years to serve as a civil rights school. Juanita (1902- 1985) served 25 years as Dallas NAACP precinct chairperson. Despite personal risk, she organ- ized rural NAACP chapters across Texas in 1940-50s, helped desegregate University of Texas Law School, North Texas State University, State Fair of Texas, Dallas lunch counters as well as theaters and restaurants. Juanita Craft was the first black woman to vote in Dallas and was a national delegate to the 1976 Democratic Convention. To this day diversity in 'The Big D' continues to grow with more figures of color moving and shaking politically and in the workplace to assure forward progress. Cheryl Richards currently serves as Senior Vice President/Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer for the Dallas CVB. For delegates traveling with family, if you're looking for free activities with the kids, or a fun night out on the town, Dallas has so many things to do for your next BIG Adventure: from the clas- sics like Reunion Tower and Perot Museum of Nature and Science, to new experiences in must- see spots like Trinity Groves and the Design District. Throughout Dallas, you'll find plenty of ways to fill pre- and post-conference leisure time with performances, restaurants, and adventures! Dallas is a stress-free 3.5-hour flight from almost anywhere in the country. Enjoy conven- ient and affordable access to Downtown Dallas on DART light rail from DFW International and Love Field airports. GETTING IN TOUCH KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON CONVENTION CENTER Total Exhibit Space 1 Million sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 88 Hotels Omni Dallas Hotel 1,001 rooms Sheraton Dallas Hotel 1,840 rooms Hyatt Regency Dallas 1,120 rooms Visit Dallas (800) 232-5527 www.visitdallas.com BY REGGIE MURPHY MEETING IN DALLAS IS TOPS CHERYL RICHARDS Photo: Credit Robert Hensley Dallas Cityscape