25 minute read
Mid-Atlantic
Lincoln Memorial
Metropolitan, harbor and beach environments await meeting groups in this diverse region By George Seli
The nation’s capital may get the lion’s share of MidAtlantic meetings business, but it’s certainly not the only compelling option for planners considering the region. A diversity of settings beyond DC’s landmarks and cosmopolitan atmosphere can be found in the Mid-Atlantic, including Baltimore’s vibrant Inner Harbor and Virginia Beach’s scenic shores and beachside resorts. Following is an overview of some of the latest developments in the MidAtlantic meetings industry, beginning with a new initiative in DC that enables planners to take full advantage of the city’s trove of offsite venues.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Meetings are increasingly expanding their footprint beyond convention centers, taking advantage of nearby venues to give attendees a more varied and memorable impression of the host city. Destination DC, Washington’s official DMO, is facilitating that approach with the “Connected Campus” initiative, introduced at PCMA Convening Leaders in January. Seven participating venues surrounding the Walter E. Washington Convention Center are offering 20 bookable function spaces. The current venue list includes Capital One Arena, Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, Long View Gallery, Touchstone Gallery, Association of American Medical Colleges, AJAX and Present Company Public House. “As we continue to focus on selling DC differently, the Connected Campus positioning allows meeting planners to understand how their meeting can better succeed in DC by looking at meetings beyond just four walls,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, President and CEO, Destination DC. “We hope the initiative can help bring unique meeting and event visions to life as we continue to add more venues to the campus mix.” Melissa A. Riley, Vice President, Convention Sales and Services, added, “We are thrilled to display how versatile and flexible the convention center is and how authentic its surrounding spaces can be for planners looking to expand their reach beyond the ordinary.”
Of course, the expansive Walter E. Washington Convention Center is more than ready to accommodate the entirety of an event if needed. The facility offers 703,000 total sq. ft. of exhibit space, including a 473,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall that can
—Elliott L. Ferguson, II, President and CEO, Destination DC
be subdivided into three rooms; and 198,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a 52,000-sq.-ft. ballroom and 77 breakout rooms. But the center is not only distinguished by its sheer size; it is also an architecturally impressive structure with a soaring staircase, towering glass walls and granite floors. A $4 million public art collection, including sculpture, paintings and photography, is sure to spark conversations among attendees. What is more, Events DC completed an interior redesign of the center last spring, adding more flexible seating, interactive kiosks and communal spaces. In December 2019, a $41 million streetscape project broke ground outside the facility. Expected to be complete by the end of 2021, the project will add lighting, art, new retail kiosks, a new rooftop terrace, planters and furnishings, and more digital signage.
The Destination DC sales team is keeping the convention center quite busy this year with 20 citywides and special events generating 466,713 total room nights. Helping to accommodate the influx of attendees is a growing hotel infrastructure that includes 15 new hotels with more than 3,100 rooms in the pipeline. Highlights include the 225-room Thompson Washington D.C., which opened in January with 4,000 sq. ft. of meeting and rooftop space, and the 181-room Riggs Washington D.C., which opened in February with a 4,000-sq.- ft. indoor/outdoor rooftop suitable for events. Washington’s primary meeting hotel remains the 1,175- room Marriott Marquis Washington, DC, which is connected via underground concourse to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The LEED Silver-certified hotel offers over 100,000 sq. ft. of event space, including 80 function rooms, a maximum of 54 breakout rooms and a rooftop terrace. Attendees can find CityCenterDC’s shopping, dining and nightlife a short walk from the hotel, as well as classic DC attractions such as the National Mall. Washington is one of those first-tier U.S. cities with international renown, and it has an airport that can serve conventions with widespread international attendance. Dulles International Airport provides daily nonstop service from more than 50 international destinations, including recently added air service from Tel Aviv on United Airlines, Rome on Alitalia, Cairo on EgyptAir and Lisbon on TAP Air. The Metro’s silver line will extend to Dulles International Airport this year, providing a convenient, economical connection between the airport and the city.
BALTIMORE World-class attractions bolster a city’s meetings industry by providing intriguing options for attendees’ free time as well as offsite group events. But they can also draw groups with ties to the industries those attractions represent. Such is the case in Baltimore, where the renowned National Aquarium and Maryland Zoo were a major factor in drawing the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. AZA will hold its 2021 Annual Conference in Charm City, welcoming an estimated 2,500 attendees.
Dan Ashe, President and CEO, AZA, noted that both the National Aquarium and The Maryland Zoo “are longstanding AZA members, so we are proud to bring our annual conference to a city that’s engrained in our profession. The teams at the National Aquarium and The Maryland Zoo have established a stellar local planning committee we know will help organize one of our best annual conferences yet.” The Baltimore Convention Center, site of the AZA 2021 Annual Conference, offers 300,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, about 85,000 sq. ft. of meeting space across 50 meeting rooms, and a 36,672-sq.-ft. ballroom. The facility is connected to three upscale hotels: the 757-
COURTESY OF WASHINGTON.ORG Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Baltimore’s dynamic Inner Harbor
room Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor (housing 110,000 sq. ft. of meeting space), 488-room Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor and 338-room Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel. Other major properties include the 750-room Baltimore Marriott Waterfront and Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel.
Baltimore Museum of Art
Last August, the Renaissance completed a multimilliondollar renovation that redesigned its 622 guestrooms and suites. New wall coverings, carpeting, beddings and furnishings were added, as well as a new entertainment package with phone-to-TV Bluetooth connectivity. In addition, the hotel’s Club Lounge was expanded by 700 sq. ft., making it one of the largest lounges in Baltimore. The Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace offers 27,548 sq. ft. of meeting space across 21 function rooms.
Last November, the 126-room Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore Downtown/McHenry Row opened on Porter
46 Street. Groups have 1,200 sq. ft. of function space at their disposal. Guests have convenient access to several Baltimore sports venues and points of interest, including Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, Fort McHenry and the Baltimore Cruise Port. While Baltimore is perhaps most known for its Inner Harbor and sports culture, several art and history museums also present options for offsite groups activities and events. The Baltimore Museum of Art’s rentable spaces include the neoclassical Majestic Fox Court, Antioch Court and Meyerhoff Auditorium. Planners might also consider scheduling a visit to The Walters Art Museum or Reginald F. Lewis Museum, which tells the story of African American Marylanders using documents, artworks and photographs dating from 1784 up to the present day.
VIRGINIA BEACH Situated where the Atlantic Ocean meets Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is one of the Mid-Atlantic’s signature coastal experiences. But there is much more than the beach for attendees to enjoy during their free time. Educational and cultural experiences await at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art and Virginia Military Aviation Museum. Attendees looking for a top-notch sports facility in the city will soon have one when the Virginia Beach Sports Center, a 285,000-sq.-ft., state-of-the-art venue, opens in November. The Center will offer a 200-meter indoor hydraulically banked track and 117,000 sq. ft. of multi-sport programmable space. Golf enthusiasts will surely enjoy a special event at Topgolf Virginia Beach, which has various rentable function spaces. Also offering group rentals is the Sandler Center for the
Performing Arts, a world-class facility that is home to institutions such as Ballet Virginia and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Touring shows include musicals, comedians and even rock bands. The Sandler Center can host groups in its 1,308-capacity Performance Hall, 200-capacity Miller Studio Theatre as well as the elegant, 900-sq.-ft. Bill and Anne Wood Founders Room, which includes a private terrace overlooking Town Center, Virginia Beach’s shopping and dining hub.
Just a short drive from the Norfolk International Airport is the centerpiece of the city’s meetings industry, the Virginia Beach Convention Center (VBCC). A standout in sustainability, the facility is the nation’s first convention center to earn LEED Gold Certification for Existing Buildings. The staff partners with Virginia Green and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star
Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
the largest properties are the 307-room Holiday Inn Virginia Beach-Norfolk Hotel & Conference Center and 292-room DoubleTree by Hilton Virginia Beach (located in walking distance to the convention center). The 240-room Founders Inn and Spa, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton offers particularly extensive meeting facilities at 40,125 sq. ft., including 18 meeting rooms, the 1,400-capacity Virginia Ballroom and a 78-seat amphitheater. Marriott is expanding its footprint in Virginia Beach with two new openings this year. Debuting in April, the 305-room Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront offers more than 25,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, including an 11,000-sq.-ft. ballroom overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. And in June, the 295-room Delta Hotel by Marriott Bayfront Suites, formerly the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center, opens on Chesapeake Bay. The hotel features 13,000 sq. ft. of function space.
Virginia Beach’s Town Center
to help planners green their events.
The VBCC houses a 150,000-sq.-ft. column-free exhibit hall, a 31,029-sq.-ft. column-free ballroom, 30,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space and naturally lit prefunction space. Its distinctive, 147-ft. glass Tower includes the Tower Board Room, VIP Lounge and Observation Deck.
More than 7,000 hotel rooms lie within 2.5 miles of the VBCC; the city’s overall total is 10,000. Among
BOISE CENTRE
DISCOVER BOISE
This city on the rise offers meeting planners an expanded convention center, new hotels, a lively downtown and adventurous recreation all within a compact urban area. With nonstop air service from 20 major cities in the United States, getting to Boise is a breeze.
EXPANDED CONVENTION CENTER Located in the heart of downtown is Boise Centre, Idaho’s premier convention center. Following a recent expansion, Boise Centre offers 86,000 sq. ft. of modern and versatile event space that accommodates groups of up to 2,000 people. Within the convention center, you will find 31 flexible meeting rooms, the latest in wireless technology and beautiful views of the Boise Foothills. The facility features exceptional catering services with fresh, locally inspired menus, in-house audiovisual and event production services. Boise Centre’s team of event professionals are highly experienced at hosting conferences, conventions, corporate meetings and special events.
NEW HOTELS NEAR BOISE CENTRE In the past two years, several new hotels have opened near Boise Centre, and another property is expected to open in late 2020. Groups and conventions have over 1,200 sleeping rooms near the convention center with convenient access to dining, nightlife, shopping and entertainment.
THRIVING CITY Boise’s energetic, friendly and walkable downtown invites visitors to discover one-of-a-kind eateries, more than 100 shops, live music venues and a growing number of breweries and wine-tasting rooms within a 10-block radius. The city’s 8 th Street is a lively hub of activity, with outdoor dining options, nightlife and weekly farmer’s market (seasonal) all centered here. The historic Basque Block offers a museum and cultural center, restaurants and annual festival held in late July. Numerous art galleries, opera, philharmonic orchestra and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival outdoor amphitheater add to Boise’s urban appeal. Just four blocks from downtown is the Boise Greenbelt, a 25-mile walking and biking path that follows the Boise River through the city. The nearby Boise Foothills boast hundreds of miles of hiking trails with options for all abilities. Golf, skiing, whitewater rafting and wineries can all be reached within an hour.
FAST FACTS FACILITY Location: Downtown Boise Total Sq. Ft.: 86,000 Meeting Space: 31 meeting rooms including an Executive Boardroom with videoconferencing Largest Room: 24,426 sq. ft., seats 2,400 Technology: Complimentary shared Wi-Fi throughout with dedicated Internet bandwidth up to 500 mbps available to purchase and plug-and-play capabilities
BOISE Hotels: 1,200 downtown hotel rooms and thousands more within a short shuttle ride Airport: Boise Airport, seven minutes from the facility Nearby Attractions: State Capitol, Historic Basque Block, Boise State University, over 100 shops, 80 restaurants and 20 breweries, live music venues, 25-mile Boise Greenbelt walking and biking path along the Boise River, many museums, whitewater rafting, nearby hiking and golf
CONTACT INFORMATION Pat Rice, Executive Director Phone (208) 336-8900 or pat_rice@boisecentre.com Ali Ribordy, Director of Sales Phone (208) 489-3608 or aribordy@boisecentre.com
LONG BEACH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
LONG BEACH — California Fresh, Urban Coast Long Beach is an innovative leader in creating “a new essence of meeting style” with its $50 million renovation of the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. Using many of the concepts pioneered by the revolutionary TED conference, which Long Beach hosted for five years, the city created an open, collaborative and comfortable, all-inclusive environment where people can easily connect. A campus atmosphere in downtown Long Beach encourages the development and sharing of ideas. This campus includes newly renovated hotels just steps from the convention center and the surrounding waterfront entertainment district, which includes shopping venues, entertainment and nightlife. More than 125 quality restaurants, many with spectacular oceanfront views, are within a compact, very walkable eight-block area surrounding the Convention Center. WalkScore.com rates Long Beach among its top “Most Walkable Cities in America.” Spacious palm-lined pedestrian promenades and bike paths are well-lit at night with colorful LED light displays. The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, with more than 400,000 sq. ft. of modern, versatile exhibit and meeting space, is located in the center of the downtown waterfront with sweeping harbor views and is designed to give guests a warm, stylish and welcoming social experience offering flexible and multiple event options. Recent renovations and upgrades at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center bring new and versatile special event options such as Bogart & Co. (a sophisticated and stylish space to relax and recharge), plus outdoor tropical plazas and patios, highlighting the best in innovative “plein air” event space decor. The newly revamped Pacific Lounge includes chic pod seating with customized lighting. The Pacific Room, one of the region’s premier venues, revolutionized the platform design for event spaces. The “loft-style” ballroom utilizes the 45,000-sq.-ft. floor space of the Long Beach Arena. This completely customizable event space uses a floating tension grid ceiling and moveable, floor-to-ceiling curtain walls to create the perfect environment for any group. The adaptable, electronic walls are able to accommodate groups of all types, from an intimate gathering to a grand and lavish 5,500-person reception. A built-in, $1.6 million state-of-the-art sound, light and video system is included in the rental of the Pacific Room, providing substantial cost savings. The Pacific Room’s catchphrase is “Your Canvas! Your Show!” Long Beach is LA’s “Urban Waterfront Playground,” located in the center of Southern California. All of the attractions of Los Angeles and Orange County are just minutes from the downtown waterfront. But Long Beach has its own world-class attractions: The Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Pike Outlets at Rainbow Harbor, Shoreline Village, harbor cruises, whale watching tours, every type of boating and on-the-water activity imaginable, plus four distinctive museums and two historic ranchos. Getting to Long Beach is a breeze thanks to the newly modernized Long Beach Airport, which offers a resort feel while welcoming daily nationwide commercial flights. A 2013 renovation and major building project created a modern gateway to better accommodate the airport’s three million annual passengers, who can enjoy a relaxed, resort-like atmosphere as they walk through an open courtyard with fire pits, lounge-style seating, a wine bar and a garden walkway with California native vegetation. A new Food Marché provides travelers a taste of Long Beach, offering local eateries at street prices. Guests can order and have meals delivered gate-side through the iPad Bar. Long Beach is guaranteed to please visitors looking for those special experiences that create lasting memories.
MEMPHIS MOVES CLOSER TO CONVENTION CENTER RE-LAUNCH
In October 2020, the $200 million modernization of the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis will debut, creating a state-of-the-art facility in a one-ofa-kind location. Expect a 118,000-sq.-ft., column-free exhibit hall — the largest in the region — with flexible space, natural light and mighty Mississippi River views. The hall, which can be configured as one or up to three spaces, is just one example. Based on meeting planner feedback, flexibility was built into every feature of the modernization: • On Level 1, a glassed-in lobby overlooking the public concourse and Memphis’ Main Street can double as registration and breakout space. • On Level 2, in addition to the main exhibit hall, a 28,000-sq.- ft. ballroom can be configured as one or up to five spaces. • On the Lower Level, the secondary hall/ballroom can be used in its entire 18,000-sq.-ft. layout or be divided into 10 breakout rooms. • Forty-six breakout rooms and a connected 2,100-seat theater round out the 300,000-sq.-ft. facility. Recently, the staff of the Renasant Convention Center invited meeting and event planners on hard-hat tours to glimpse the modernization in progress. “It’s very much an active construction site, but you can see major pieces taking shape, from logistics improvements around our loading and storage facilities to the ‘wow’ factors, such as hotel-quality finishes and the amount of natural light we’re bringing in with floor-to-ceiling windows,” reports Dean Dennis, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Memphis Management Group, which manages the facility.
Dennis is equally excited about the modernization plan’s emphasis on creating networking spaces for delegates. “It’s more than just offering free Wi-Fi in public areas. We’ll have grab-and-go food options, portable coffee bars, an outdoor terrace overlooking the Mississippi and seating nooks throughout the convention CREDIT: LRK AND TVSDESIGN Riverfront Views Beale Street CREDIT: LRK AND TVSDESIGN
center where delegates can recharge their devices, themselves and their business relationships,” he explains.
In fact, connectivity is a theme of the modernization. Renderings envision a public concourse to better connect the Renasant Convention Center with Memphis’ walkable downtown. The connected convention center hotel (the 600-room Sheraton Memphis Downtown) is planning to add 300 new rooms, while a second convention center hotel, in partnership with Loews, plans to add 500 new rooms. These and additional commitments by other developers will add 2,000 new hotel rooms to Memphis’ current inventory of 4,000 rooms over the next five years. Simultaneously, a $245 million modernization is underway at Memphis International Airport (MEM).
This wave of development suggests that Memphis — the legendary home of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll on the mighty Mississippi — is a river city on the rise. It is, to be sure. Yet it’s still a city where airport transfers to downtown cost as little as $18 via popular rideshare services and take less than 20 minutes. It’s a destination where the average daily rate remains reasonable ($139-$189 for downtown hotels) and food and beverage rates run lower than in other convention cities. And for delegates, who place increasing value on the meeting experience, it’s an ideal destination for mixing business with pleasure — the only place where you can hold a breakout session on world-famous Beale Street, treat delegates to an after-hours tour of Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion and meet, teambuild and stay overnight in one of the largest pyramids in the world.
Let Us Orchestrate Your Incredible at Monona Terrace A t Monona Terrace, you have the freedom to imagine your dream event. Then, our detail-obsessed staff will work with you to bring it to life. Book your next meeting or convention to experience our top-notch technology and concierge-caliber service, all with a lakeside view. So go ahead and dream big. We’ll see you at Monona Terrace.
Monona Terrace®, a crown jewel of Madison’s isthmus, earned the prestigious Gold Level LEED status. In 2007, Monona Terrace became the first convention center in the nation to be LEED-EBcertified at the Silver Level by the U.S. Green Building Council. The additional certification at the Gold Level affirms the facility’s commitment to the environment. The facility actively uses sustainable practices such as purchasing 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. Monona Terrace is a symbol of sustainability for the community and an inspiration to all those who choose to visit the city.
Accommodations More than 8,000 hotel rooms are available to groups in Madison, with 1,000 rooms within walking distance of Monona Terrace. Accommodation styles run the gamut from first-class convention hotels, such as the 240-room Hilton Madison (the headquarters hotel for the convention center), to limited-service hotels and budget-conscious lodging. Bed and breakfasts are another attractive choice in Madison, and several provide services and amenities appropriate for executive attendees.
One John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53703 (608) 261-4000 • mononaterrace.com Convention Facilities The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace Convention Center is a touchstone for both the Madison community and groups coming to the city. Sweeping lines and vast, arched windows typify the structure, which offers dramatic surroundings for groups. In total, Monona Terrace Convention Center offers 85,000 sq. ft. of meeting and exhibition space. Highlights of the center include: • 37,200-sq.-ft. Exhibition Hall that accommodates 212, 10 ft.-by-10 ft. booths • 13,524-sq.-ft. Madison Ballroom, divisible by four • 7,000-sq.-ft. Grand Terrace • 68,000 sq. ft. of rooftop gardens that may also be reserved for events
FACILITIES DESTINATIONS & TM
Awards of Excellence Ballot
Please consider the following criteria when voting: • Attractiveness & Functionality of Meeting Venue • Size & Quality of Meeting Space • Technological Capabilities • Quality of Staff • Food & Beverage Options • Lighting, Acoustics, & Internet Access • Other Meeting/Event Support Services • Amenities • Recreational Activities • Dining & Entertainment Options • Lodging Quality • Accessibility to Airport • Ease of Travel within Destination Fill Out Form & Mail, Email or Fax Your Vote:
Facilities & Destinations 152 Madison Avenue, Suite 802 New York, NY 10016 Fax: (212) 213-6382 Email: ballots@facilitiesonline.com
FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2020 SPRING Name of Nominee ___________________________________________________ Check Award You want to nominate the above for: Prime Site Top Destination Your Name & Title ___________________________________________________ Organization ________________________________________________________ Phone_______________________________________________________________ Email _______________________________________________________________
Name of Nominee ___________________________________________________ Check Award You want to nominate the above for: Prime Site Top Destination Your Name & Title ___________________________________________________ Organization ________________________________________________________ Phone_______________________________________________________________ Email _______________________________________________________________
MONTEGO BAY CONVENTION CENTRE
A STANDOUT FACILITY IN THE HEART OF THE CARIBBEAN
The award-winning Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC), the largest convention facility of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean, has won the World Travel Award for the Caribbean’s Leading Meeting and Conference Centre for the last 10 consecutive years, from 2011 to 2020.
Throughout 2018 and 2019, the MBCC hosted some of the largest events in its history, including the following international events: the 39th Heads of Government Conference, the International Sport Kickboxing Association World Championship, the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Caribbean Travel Marketplace, Outsource 2 Jamaica and the Jamaica Classic Basketball Tournament.
Opened in 2011, the ASM Global-managed facility is one of a select few in the Caribbean to offer both comprehensive meeting spaces and modern amenities. The center’s more than 139,000 sq. ft. of space has been designed to accommodate exhibitions, conventions and galas. With built-in technology features such as projectors and projection screens, there are few details of convenience the facility does not offer. Bedsides its intelligent design, the MBCC is also visually striking. Attendees have views of both the coast and the mountains, and the center’s plantation-style shutters and cut stonework recall Jamaica’s classic Georgian style of architecture.
The open-air layout of the facility — the meeting, exhibition and ballroom spaces are all housed in three separate buildings, and connect via outdoor walkways — gives attendees the chance to get outside more than the typical convention center might allow. Many of the MBCC’s indoor spaces feature plenty of natural light, and the property offers a number of outdoor event spaces, such as the 17,000-sq.-ft. Ocean View Terrace (accommodating up to 1,500 guests for banquet-style functions) and the MBCC’S 25,000-sq.-ft. courtyard (accommodating up to 2,600 guests for receptions). The MBCC’s largest space, the 57,525-sq.-ft. Exhibition Hall, spans two buildings and offers room for 282 booths as well as 4,700 guests seated banquet style, or 6,200 seated theater style. For special events, the 18,684-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom can seat up to 1,580 for banquets. And for meetings, nine meeting rooms offer 10,161 sq. ft., with the largest accommodating up to 600 attendees. The center’s entire prefunction lobby areas come outfitted with built-in reception desks and comfortable seating.
Supporting these spaces are the MBCC’s well-equipped catering facilities. A 15,000-sq.-ft. kitchen, along with additional prep spaces, means that everything from tea breaks to five-course banquets run seamlessly. Ample parking, coach bays and freight access in the Exhibition Hall offer added convenience for larger events.
As for onsite technology, all of the MBCC’s meeting, exhibit, and ballroom spaces come equipped with videoconferencing capabilities and high-speed Internet. A full-service business center, a fully integrated broadcast and teleconference system and an onsite team of audiovisual technicians all help ensure that meetings and events run smoothly while groups are in house.
Sangster International Airport, the Caribbean’s leading airport, is just 15 minutes away, and surrounding the center are more than 6,000 hotel rooms, including the world-renowned Half Moon, A Rock Resort and Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Hotels. Restaurants, bars, shopping centers and three championship 18-hole golf courses are also nearby.
Montego Bay, the tourism capital and second-largest city in Jamaica, offers groups conveniences such as duty-free shopping, as well as plenty to do and see. Groups can cruise the bioluminescent Luminous Lagoon, snorkel or swim in the pale aqua waters of Doctor’s Cave Beach, visit working plantations that grow pineapple and sugarcane, shop the craft markets, take a horseback ride on the beach or hit the nightclubs that line the Hip Strip. Also popular is the 18th-century Rose Hall Plantation and Great House, for which the area is named. In addition, meeting-related expenses incurred in Jamaica by U.S.-based groups qualify as tax deductible.
Half Moon P.O. Box 4058, Rose Hall, St. James, Jamaica, West Indies (876) 622-9330 • Fax: (876) 622-9360 • mbconventioncentre.com
NEW ORLEANS ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER
New Orleans is an award-winning city steeped in culture, culinary excellence and centuries-old architecture, and its meeting facilities are no exception. Events held at New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center are unlike any other, and its exquisite and unique venues as well as unmatched Southern hospitality are just a few of the reasons.
The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is the sixth largest and one of the most technologically advanced convention facilities in the country. With over 1.1 million sq. ft. of prime contiguous exhibit space, 140 meetings rooms, two multipurpose ballrooms and a 4,000-seat divisible performing arts theater, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has been tested by the most demanding clients from all event segments.
The Great Hall boasts 60,000 column-free sq. ft. with 25,000 sq. ft. of prefunction space, interior and exterior balconies, a large outdoor pedestrian plaza and grand entrance. The grand entrance is overlooked by a high-definition, video display board promoting the event.
The impressive three million-sq.-ft. New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, which so perfectly complements the city’s walkable hotel packages, has embarked on a $557 million improvement plan including interior modernizations, renovations to its 140 meeting rooms, restroom renovations and a complete makeover of its exterior experience.
In the spring of 2019, new digital signs were installed for each meeting room. In the fall of 2019, the Center debuted a brand new, centrally located Transportation Center to allow shuttles, taxis and ride-shares to more efficiently move attendees to and from the Center. The Shuttle Hub is equipped with digital signage to help attendees easily identify their shuttles. Later this year, wayfinding kiosks will be implemented throughout the lobbies.
Plans for the exciting transformation of Convention Center Boulevard in New Orleans, which will connect the bustling Warehouse/Arts District with the historic French Quarter and dramatically transform the guest experience at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, are becoming a reality. Set to open in late 2020, a new $65 million linear park will update the urban environment with a lushly landscaped, 7.5-acre, tree-lined pedestrian plaza spanning the length of the facility, with covered porches, outdoor event spaces, water features, green walls, water walls, public art and shaded communal areas.
A 1,200-room hotel attached to the Center and an adjacent 40-acre mixed-use development will begin to take shape on the upriver end in the coming years.
One of New Orleans’ most enticing attributes is its unique dining experiences, and the Center lives up to that expectation through its food and beverage partner, Centerplate. Centerplate serves the essence of the New Orleans culinary experience through three onsite restaurants featuring live local music, and menus of iconic Louisiana dishes. In addition to the customary service on the exhibit floor, several exclusive dining options are available, including the elegant Ma Maison VIP dining suite. As a consistent Top 10 host of the largest number of conventions and trade shows annually, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is an expert in hosting groups of all sizes and industries. The Crescent City, The Big Easy, a sportsman’s paradise — whatever you call New Orleans, call it your next meeting destination.
