< Previous(MCC) is one of Greater Miami’s most functional meeting, exhibit and entertainment venues, boasting 34 well-appointed meeting rooms, including a 444-seat auditorium and a 117-seat lecture hall and can accommodate from 20 to 5,000 attendees in a variety of configurations. Another option is the recently redesigned Miami Airport Convention Center (MACC), which is adjacent to Miami International Airport and features 172,000 sf of high-tech meeting, conference and trade show space, including a 29,000- sf social catering ballroom — second largest in the region — and 100,000 sf of exhibition and function space. Jeff Stutts, CMP, director of catering & conference manage- ment at Loews Miami Beach Hotel, points out that the hotel’s premier oceanfront location in the heart of South Beach, with direct beach access, make the hotel an ideal canvas for planners to create one-of-a-kind events. “We offer 65,000 sf of well-planned function space, with plenty of indoor and outdoor, flex- ible options. Our indoor space alone spans two floors and includes a 27,000-sf ballroom that allows a seamless flow for attendees through- out indoor and exterior event areas. These venues also make it possible to get creative with event locations and allow us to execute memorable daytime and evening programs,” Stutts says. Loews Miami Beach Hotel’s top four suites were recently redesigned, offering planners fresh spaces for top VIPs to enjoy. The property is also now offering enhanced wireless internet, additional branding opportunities through- out the hotel and, later this year, they will be enhancing the meeting rooms with new carpeting, design accents and other touchpoints. As the second Loews in South Florida, the Loews Coral Gables Hotel recently opened its doors, ushering in a new level of hospitality to the city of Coral Gables. The 242-room hotel offers 31,000 sf of indoor and outdoor event space that includes the 9,000-sf Alhambra ballroom, private and flexible meeting spaces, as well as a ninth-floor event deck with spec- tacular views of downtown Coral Gables. This unique rooftop lawn is a big differentiator for the hotel and planners. “Attendees have an effortless arrival experience with our proximity to Miami International Airport, and can easily access the best of Coral Gables, with the iconic Miracle Mile just four blocks from the hotel,” says Felix Llibre, director of sales at Loews Coral Gables Hotel. The hotel is part of The Plaza Coral Gables, a 2.1 million-sf, mixed-use development on 7 acres that includes the hotel, plus 161,000 sf of high-end retail stores, premium dining and a highly curated public col- lection of art. Looking for a “cool” vibe that will provide your associa- tion event attendees memorable experiences? Check out the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Located north of Miami in Hollywood, Florida, the hotel is complete with 120,000 sf of meeting space, including a 38,000-sf, carpeted exhibition hall capable of hosting any size trade show, association convention, large corporate group and social fundraisers. In addition, the Seminole Hard Rock’s flexible meeting space can be reconfig- ured to accommodate groups as large as 5,000 attendees or smaller, more intimate meetings for 15 individuals. After a day of meetings or conference events, attendees can unwind in Seminole Hard Rock’s memorable nightlife scene, which is complete with music events and a 14,000-sf casino with more than 3,100 slots and nearly 200 table games. PERUSING THE PALM BEACHES The Palm Beaches offer Florida travel experiences packed with diverse activities and a welcoming community. As Kelly Cavers, chief sales officer for Discover The Palm Beaches, explains, the area provides meeting and convention attendees easy accessibility, a walkable convention and entertainment district, fewer crowds, and most importantly, unique oppor- tunities to connect. “We have an array of unforgettable ‘between-the-sessions’ themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJANUARY 2023 Loews Miami Beach Hotel offers 65,000 sf of well-planned function space, with plenty of outdoor, flexible options such as the Americana Lawn, pictured. The indoor space spans two floors and includes the 27,000-sf Americana Ballroom. FINE-TUNE YOUR NEXT MEETING. Escape the every day and indulge yourself in a truly extraordinary getaway with limitless possibilities. 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314 | HardRockHolly.com | #GuitarHotel PARADISE MEETS PLAYGROUND. © 2023. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1.888.ADMIT.IT. 22-SHRH-06935 -AC&F-8.125x10.875.indd 112/15/2022 2:23:15 PM COURTESY PHOTO Linda Adams, FCHP Meeting Planner and COO Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association The convention center has wide loading docks, high ceilings and all the needed meeting space for an event. 40FINE-TUNE YOUR NEXT MEETING. Escape the every day and indulge yourself in a truly extraordinary getaway with limitless possibilities. 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314 | HardRockHolly.com | #GuitarHotel PARADISE MEETS PLAYGROUND. © 2023. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1.888.ADMIT.IT.experiences that focus on wellness, sustainability, community and fun. Imagine your attendees starting their day with an energizing [high-intensity, interval training] HIIT workout and motivational presentation from locally headquartered Orangetheory Fitness, learning to play croquet dressed in whites, exploring sea turtle rehabilitation and marine life conservation, or even taking part in a community-based ocean clean up,” Cavers says. “We want meeting attendees to feel relaxed and inspired, and to leave The Palm Beaches having felt a sense of place and community.” The Palm Beaches has new hotels recently opened or set to open, including the new AKA West Palm, the Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences and Banyan Cay Resort & Golf. Several of the area’s iconic hotels and resorts also underwent multimil- lion-dollar transformations, including PGA National Resort, The Boca Raton and The Colony Hotel Palm Beach. “The Palm Beaches are in high demand, and there are 17 planned hotel openings between now and 2025 throughout the county,” Cavers says. “We are also very excited to be welcom- ing the first Oetker Collection hotel in the U.S., The Vineta, [this] year in Palm Beach.” Cavers stresses that the Palm Beaches offer stunning nat- ural beauty, great year-round weather and spectacular out- door venues, so don’t be afraid to use them. There is nothing like enjoying the ocean breezes during your cocktail hour, sticking your toes in the sand during your team-building activities or feeling the sun on your face during your well- ness activity. “Also, embrace the diversity of our community — your event is making an impact in that community and destination partners are always eager to help provide customized experi- ences and wow moments that will make visitors feel special and welcomed,” Cavers says. Michelle Elise Whitworth, CMP, DES, manager, strategic event management at the Association Management Center in Chicago, has helped plan events for such associations as the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses, the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses and the Psycho- nomic Society. Recently the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses conference was held in West Palm Beach. “The conference rotates on the West Coast, East Coast and Midwest. West Palm Beach was a new location that we had not been to that was beautiful and a desired location for our nurses to explore while they were at the show,” Whitworth says. Whitworth recommends association meeting planners lean on and utilize the destination services managers at The Palm Beaches. “They have the best suggestions and offerings to help produce a dream meeting,” Whitworth says. “The destination is the best of a ‘resort/vacation’ vibe with the amenities and resources of a city central venue.” ORLANDO OFFERINGS Continuously ranked as Cvent’s No. 1 meeting destination in the country, Orlando offers a state-of-the-art convention center, world-class event spaces and venues, 480+ hotels, MICHELIN-recognized dining and world-renowned enter- tainment and attractions. Linda Adams, FCHP, COO with the Florida Nursery, Grow- ers & Landscape Association (FNGLA), recently selected Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) for the association’s annual event, The Landscape Show. “The convention center has wide loading docks, high ceil- ings and all the needed meeting space for an event,” Adams says. “The center amenities are excellent, and the facility is always well maintained and welcoming. The Central Florida location with easy access to major roads, proximity to a major airport and a wide range of hotels is another plus for us.” FNGLA produces The Landscape Show annually at the OCCC. It is a trade show which showcases trees, plants and supplies relative to the commercial horticulture industry. Attendance is typi- cally 7,500 to 8,500. “Take advantage of the team at Visit Orlando, as they have a long tenure of serving meetings in Orlando and can save planners much time, offer help- ful information and added value when meeting in Orlando,” Adams says. “The team at the Orange County Convention Center also provides exceptional service and can be counted on to go the extra mile to help a meeting be successful. They understand that each meeting is unique, so don’t be afraid to share any special needs your group may have.” Casandra Matej, president and CEO, Visit Orlando, says it’s now even easier to travel to and from Orlando with the recent opening of Orlando International Airport’s South Ter- minal Complex. The new facility adds 15 gates and includes a seamless, low-touch environment with a state-of-the-art radio frequency baggage system, numerous shops, restaurants and lounge facilities. The terminal also includes the Intermodal Terminal Facil- ity (ITF), which is designed to accommodate up to three train systems, including the high-speed Brightline train. Brightline’s Orlando extension construction is nearly complete, and trains themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJANUARY 2023 Kelly Cavers, chief sales officer for Discover The Palm Beaches, right, says the area provides attendees a walkable convention and entertainment district, fewer crowds, and most importantly, unique opportunities to connect. LILA PHOTO 42soon are expected to begin carrying passengers from Miami to Orlando Interna- tional Airport. “With new restaurants opening every year, the des- tination is home to more than 6,000 restaurants rep- resenting 40 international cuisines found throughout the city’s diverse neighbor- hoods,” Matej says. For the first time ever, the area’s culinary scene — led by tal- ented chefs and their teams — captured the attention of the MICHELIN Guide, known around the world for their famed star rating system. As far as what’s new in hotels, Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace recently completed renovations to its entire 120,000 sf of meeting space, with modern décor complemented by state- of-the-art technology. Also recently completed, Signia by Hil- ton Orlando Bonnet Creek unveiled a new arrival experience for guests, with a new front entrance and lobby. “Set for completion late 2023 or early 2024, Signia by Hil- ton Orlando Bonnet Creek has also commenced on elevating the meetings experience with the new Waterside expansion,” Matej says. This two-story addition of more than 90,000 sf of meeting space will be located directly adjacent to the exist- ing meeting space, overlooking the Bonnet Creek waterway. The Waterside expansion includes one ballroom, a screened lanai with incredible views of the Walt Disney World fire- works, an outdoor patio, event lawn and seven additional meeting rooms. Conrad Orlando at Evermore Orlando Resort will debut this year with 433 rooms, including 51 suites and 10 spacious family suites. Other features include 65,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting space, a tranquil spa and numerous dining options, including a signature rooftop experience. Waldorf Astoria Orlando is redefining modern luxury in the meetings industry with the new Central Park Ballroom. Recently completed, the expansion features an elegant 8,436-sf ballroom, 2,565 sf of pre-function space and an 8,712-sf tented pavilion. The B Resort & Spa, Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort and Renaissance Orlando Airport Hotel are also undergoing renovations to be completed by the end of the year. “Fairmont Orlando, a new Fairmont Hotels & Resorts- branded hotel, is slated to open in early 2025 in the heart of Orlando’s entertainment district,” Matej says. The new seven-story property is expected to include 550 rooms; seven elevated dining experiences, including a specialty Mediter- ranean restaurant, an upscale steakhouse and gourmet cafe; a 12,000-sf spa and wellness center; more than 44,000 sf of meeting space and three swimming pools. Of course, Orlando has the magic of Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando, all of which attract guests who wouldn’t normally travel for a conference. For those looking to enjoy the Disney environ- ment, the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort and Walt Disney World Swan Reserve are options many meeting planners embrace. The venues offers expansive meeting facilities, including more than 333,000 sf of combined meeting space, with 87 meeting rooms, including outdoor function areas, executive boardrooms, 110,500 sf of contiguous convention and exhibit space and two business centers. And, best of all, the resort offers close proximity to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, to name a few. TEAMING UP IN TAMPA BAY Marissa Weaver, public relations coordinator at Visit Tampa Bay, says visitors and meeting and event planners are invited to relax boldly in the heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Attendees can accomplish important business while they enjoy this premier destination with sunshine, world- class attractions, waterfront activities, luxury shopping and unique culinary experiences. New luxury hotels and an expanded convention center await in Tampa Bay. The recent openings of JW Marriott and the Tampa EDITION contribute to the destination’s more than 26,000 rooms ranging from waterfront resorts to intimate, unique venues. “Tampa Bay is large enough to host tens of thousands of attendees during Super Bowls, yet inviting and convenient for that small board meeting,” Weaver says. “Visitors also can step into the past, sip on café con leche and see how Ybor City put Tampa Bay on the map by becoming the ‘Cigar Capital of the World.’” The Tampa Convention Center (TCC) is expanding its beautiful waterfront meeting space with a $38 million capi- tal improvement plan. This innovative renovation project plans to improve customer service, increase efficiency and cost savings. Scheduled to be completed later this year, the addition will include renovated meeting rooms and new waterfront meet- ing rooms. “When planning your meeting or event, flexibility is key as the demand to host major conventions and events is high,” Weaver says. From Tampa Bay to Miami to the Palm Beaches, Florida offers something for everyone — associations and their con- stituents alike. | AC&F | 43 JANUARY 2023 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES Trump National Doral Miami offers four championship golf courses, and recently hosted the LIV Golf Miami Team Championship. COURTESY MARIA OROZCOLouisiana Distinct Tastes Offered in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport-Bossier themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJANUARY 2023 PHOTO BY JUSTEN WILLIAMS DESTINATIONREPORT New Orleans is a top destination for meeting planners, as event attendance spirals upward when events are held there. That means more networking opportunities for attendees. 44NEW ORLEANS Lest there be any question about New Orleans’ status as a world-class destination, the “Big Easy” achieved notable distinction as “Most Desirable City (Rest of the World)” by UK-based Wanderlust in November based on approximately 50,000 reader votes. Wanderlust states: “Louisiana’s largest city has a distinctive vibrancy, which is why it has deservedly won this year’s Wanderlust award for Most Desirable City (Rest of World). Music is its beating heart, with jazz, blues, reg- gae and rock filling the streets of the Marigny neighborhood.” Music, Mardi Gras and scrumptious dining menus fea- turing gumbo, jambalaya and deep-fried chicken may be the impetus for many planners heading to New Orleans. Stephanie Turner, senior vice president of convention sales & strategies for New Orleans & Company, reminds visitors: “While New Orleans is famous for Cajun, Creole and seafood cuisine, we also deliver on seriously authentic Vietnamese, Italian, Carib- bean and fusion.” Beyond the amazing food of New Orleans, the city beckons business professionals for additional reasons. “The cultural richness draws meeting-goers to New Orleans,” Turner says. “New Orleans is ‘Built to Host’ and has become one of only five cities in the U.S. accredited as a Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR Destination. Our unmatched cuisine, world-class live entertainment and historic architec- ture is naturally infused into every meeting or event we host. This is not something we have to create; it happens naturally because New Orleans is authentic.” Shelby Paul, former events officer for the Speciality Coffee Association, says the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Conven- tion Center (NOENMCC) was the perfect site for the organiza- tion’s Annual Conference & Exhibition, which attracted 4,000 attendees in late 2021. “New Orleans has excellent airlift,” says Paul, “and its central location appeals to both domestic and international attendees.” In fact, J.D. Power’s 2021 North America Airport Satisfac- tion Study ranked the Louis Armstrong International Airport 45 JANUARY 2023 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES By Nancy Mueller PHOTO BY REBECCA TODD T here are plenty of reasons Louisiana ranks high on the list of most desirable destinations for travelers: authentic Southern hospitality, soulful Cajun and Creole cuisine, acclaimed music — and not to be forgotten — the “Pelican State’s” deserved acclaim for over-the-top celebrations such as Mardi Gras. Louisiana’s joie de vivre extends deep and wide, from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, to Shreveport-Bossier and places in between. Where better to welcome meeting attendees back to live gatherings? Industry professionals are rolling out the welcome mat to meeting planners who are looking for that unmistakable meetings magic in unique venues at affordable costs across the state. The sun sets behind the famous St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. New Orleans is world renowned for its unique culture of architecture, food and music.No. 1 among large airports in North America for customer sat- isfaction following the facility’s billion-dollar, state-of-the-art renovations in 2019. Conveniently located a 25-minute drive from downtown New Orleans, the airport features a number of enhancements, such as in-line baggage screening, a consoli- dated security checkpoint to three concourses and 35 gates, a 2,200-car parking garage, additional concessions and live entertainment for waiting passengers. The award-winning, 3.1 million-sf NOENMCC offers 1.1 million sf of prime exhibit space and has also “embarked on a $557 million improvement plan, including renovations to 140 meeting rooms and a makeover of the exterior experience,” Turner says. The center’s 4,000-seat New Orleans Theater can be separated into three separate sections, and the LEED- Certified facility offers a range of planner services, such as on-site ambassadors, a catering menu featuring snacks and bakery items, bento and break boxes, boxed lunches, as well as speciality carts and beverages. Paul notes that “the thriving coffee scene and busy port complemented by a diverse restaurant scene” was of particular interest to the Speciality Coffee Association attendees. While the timing of the group event proved challenging — “We had the unfortunate experience of conducting an event in the wan- ing months of COVID-19 and within about three to four weeks of a significant hurricane hitting the region.” Paul credits rep- resentatives of New Orleans & Company, along with execu- tives at the NOENMCC who worked diligently to ensure a safe and comfortable event. “I believe both organizations truly care about the groups that they welcome to their city and do all that they can to ensure success,” Paul says. This sentiment is echoed by Michelle Malloy, CMP, senior director of meetings for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, who applauds the CVB’s dedication of “driving and walking with me two days around the city and who really helped me fine-tune the needs of our attendees.” The CVB staff also prepared a slide show showcasing little- known facts about New Orleans that Malloy recommends “every planner take advantage of for attendees” as an intro- duction to the region. Malloy’s comments come as no surprise to Turner, who encourages planners to “Work with New Orleans & Company to plan your meeting in New Orleans.” She says, “Our team works as an extension of the planning team. We understand that people are what makes New Orleans a culturally rich destination, and the New Orleans & Company’s highly expe- rienced convention sales team works in tandem with culture bearers, the hospitality community and the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center to provide complex logis- tics management and on-the-ground expertise to meeting and event strategists.” In selecting the New Orleans Marriott for the associa- tion’s meeting late last year, Malloy found that “the staff was exceptional, experienced, accommodating and eager to make us look good.” The hotel boasts 83,965 sf of versatile and func- tional event space for up to 3,000 guests that includes 40 event rooms and the 27,000-sf Grand Ballroom. One special highlight for Malloy’s group was the hotel’s 41st-floor meeting rooms, offering unparalleled views of the French Quarter and Missis- sippi River. Overall, Malloy says, “Everyone was so happy and excited to be together again, and together with the energy of New Orleans, it created a synergy, a magnificence, a vibrancy that was so delightful and relaxing.” Through a connection initiated by one of the organiza- tion’s members who has ties with the local community, the group kicked off the event with the Brother Martin High School’s marching band and Color Guard, which immediately brought attendees to their feet, clapping and videotaping the dynamic scene. When it came to evening receptions and dinners, Malloy’s board of directors opted for Antoine’s Restaurant in the French Quarter, where guests described the French-Creole cuisine as “impeccable.” Attendees were also excited by such venues as the House of Blues and the Palace Café. For Becky Rowbotham, Paramount Events CEO, a health care association client chose Hilton New Orleans Riverside based on the property’s proximity to the French Quarter. They themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJANUARY 2023 The 3.1 million-sf New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center offers 1.1 million sf of prime exhibit space and is undergoing a $557 million improvement plan, including renovations to 140 meeting rooms and a makeover of the exterior experience. These are not the meeting spaces you’re used to. From historic rooms and courtyards, to breathtaking architecture with a view, New Orleans spaces are Built to Host. We treat thousands of attendees with the same attention and hospitality given to a single, lifelong friend. We have access to the best locations to inspire meaningful interactions that continue long after you’ve left town. And we can do all of it within walking distance of world-class hotels. Call the New Orleans & Company Convention Sales Team at 877.393.5836, email at cnvsales@neworleans.com or visit NewOrleans.com/meetings. BOOK YOUR MEETING WITH NEW ORLEANS © 2023 New Orleans & Company All Rights Reserved. NewOrleans.com | @VisitNewOrleans PHOTO BY KATHY ANDERSON 46These are not the meeting spaces you’re used to. From historic rooms and courtyards, to breathtaking architecture with a view, New Orleans spaces are Built to Host. We treat thousands of attendees with the same attention and hospitality given to a single, lifelong friend. We have access to the best locations to inspire meaningful interactions that continue long after you’ve left town. And we can do all of it within walking distance of world-class hotels. Call the New Orleans & Company Convention Sales Team at 877.393.5836, email at cnvsales@neworleans.com or visit NewOrleans.com/meetings. BOOK YOUR MEETING WITH NEW ORLEANS © 2023 New Orleans & Company All Rights Reserved. NewOrleans.com | @VisitNewOrleansalso chose the hotel for the bounty of activities for attendees to do after hours, and it was where they wanted to contract for their fundraiser venue. While Rowbotham has used this prop- erty previously with other clients, this was the first time for this particular client. “The selling point was the large amount of meeting space along with the location,” she says. The hotel offers more than 130,000 sf of space, which includes its 27,000-sf Grand Ballroom accommodating up to 3,000 attendees, while more than 1,600 guest rooms afford city or riverfront views. “Attendees had a great experience and loved the food,” Rowbotham says, while mentioning the prop- erty’s Drago’s Seafood, whose Original Charbroiled Oysters and Mama Ruth’s Gumbo were a huge hit. Also on the menu: Gator Tacos and Fried Gator Bites, plus Drago’s Bayou Roll, a combination of crawfish, pork, rice, carrots and fresh kale wrapped in tortillas and fried; and Boudin Balls, a fried Cajun bite made with spicy pork and rice sausage. Turner notes additional new developments as New Orleans commits to its tradition as a premier meetings destination; for example, The Four Seasons Hotel + Residences, The Virgin Hotels New Orleans and The Kimpton Fontenot Hotel all recently opened, adding to the nearly 26,000 downtown hotel rooms. Plus, Caesars Entertainment is investing $325 million to renovate and rebrand Harrah’s New Orleans with additional plans for a 340-room hotel tower by 2024. And the legendary Superdome has been renamed the Caesars Superdome. “In total, almost $1 billion dollars in renovations have been recently completed and are anticipated to begin in our hotel community,” Turner says. Additional renovations include a $400 million expansion at the National World War II Museum and a $34 million renovation at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. BATON ROUGE About an hour’s drive northwest of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s capital city, awaits. “Affordability draws meeting-goers to our destination,” says Geraldine Bordelon, CMP, senior vice president of destination sales for Visit Baton Rouge. “And sometimes clients want alternate destinations from the usual first-tier city, [to have] the ability to experi- ence unique and authentic experiences while meeting in a second-tier city.” From the iconic luxury of WATERMARK Baton Rouge, Autograph Collection downtown to Hotel Indigo Baton Rouge Downtown on the downtown waterfront, to the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center to The Cook Hotel and Conference Cen- ter at LSU, Baton Rouge does not disappoint. New this year, the 91-room Origin Hotel near the state capitol building soon will open and will feature three top-floor suites with framing views of the oak tree canopies below. Also available for events, the Raising Cane’s River Center’s recent expansion showcases more than 200,000 sf of new and renovated space with state-of-the-art facilities, including the new 70,000-sf Exhibition Hall alongside the existing Arena and River Center Performing Arts Theatre. For private events with the touch of a possible ghostly sighting, the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center Tunnel is themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJANUARY 2023 Geraldine Bordelon, CMP, Senior Vice President of Destination Sales for Visit Baton Rouge, second from left, says Baton Rouge’s “affordability draws meeting-goers to our destination.” The Shreveport-Bossier area, in Louisiana’s northwest, also has established an identity that attracts meetings and events attendees looking for a destination that offers a wealth of food, music, entertainment and activities. COURTESY GERALDINE BORDELON SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CTB 48an option for cocktail hour or board dinner. Popular family- friendly gatherings designed to bring people together are happening at Red Stick Social inside the newly renovated Electric Depot. There, attendees are offered all-in-one entertain- ment value, such as live music, small-plate menus served in indoor-outdoor seating, a pet- friendly beer garden and rooftop patio, state-of-the-art bowling and Social House for catching up with friends and colleagues in a laid-back atmosphere. For event organizers considering Baton Rouge for their next meeting or conference, Bordelon encourages planners to work together with Visit Baton Rouge for all planning needs. The CVB is “a one-stop shop resource ready to help you from the beginning of selecting a hotel to the end of the confer- ence,” she says. “The pandemic created delays in booking cycles due to the uncertainty, but as things are changing, we encourage meeting planners to incorporate the local flair into their agendas. Hopefully, planners can get back into longer- term bookings with more flexibility with dates. Demand has been strong; booking ahead will help, and being flexible on day patterns will give them a few more choices.” SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER “Southern hospitality and service, plus a great place to do business” defines Shreveport-Bossier’s attraction for meet- ing attendees, says David Bradley, vice president of business development for Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, located in the state’s extreme northwest. Bradley also cites the local culture, the 350,000-sf Shreveport Conven- tion Center (SCC), 10,000+ hotel rooms and much more as enticing draws of the region. Bradley notes the place to visit for live entertainment is the East Bank District, which continues to expand and is home to local favorite Flying Heart Brewing & Pub; the Bayou Axe Throwing Co. and East Bank Plaza. Thanks to community organizers and the generous donation of Dr. George Bakowski, who practiced optometry in Shreveport for 45 years, the new lighting along the Texas Street Bridge was revealed with great fanfare early last year. The bridge — which links Shreveport and Bossier City — is now acclaimed as the Bakowski Bridge of Lights. The colorful, twinkling LED lights have become a symbol of civic pride between the two communities. Nearly 80 Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, renowned Louisiana foods and unique culinary experiences combine in Shreveport-Bossier, not to mention a dynamic bar and nightlife scene. Versatile meeting venues include the afore- mentioned SCC, 21 additional unique off-site meeting venues such as Bally’s Shreveport Casino & Hotel, Louisiana Downs Casino & Racetrack and the Surge Entertainment Center in Bossier City. Surge is the place to go for food, fun, scores of family-friendly activities and group events. Guests enjoy state- of-the-art bowling, immersive sports simulators, suspended rope courses and high-tech arcades, which are among the entertainment options. A full-service restaurant showcasing favorite Louisiana food fare and large full-service bars with 22-sf, HD screens complete with other big-screen TVs for viewing sports events are also featured amenities. Meeting attendees can follow in the footsteps of Elvis Presley at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, where the star launched his claim to fame. The 14,000-seat Brookshire Gro- cery Arena offers another concert venue, while the Bossier Civic Center, with a 24,000-sf convention and exhibit hall, 7,500-sf banquet hall and five meeting rooms is ideally suited for smaller groups ad luncheons. The Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau offers an array of services to meeting planners coordinat- ing events. Bradley assures planners, “You will be working with a strong citywide team. We call it the TRIAD,” he says. “It’s a combined effort from different organizations working together to enhance the meeting experience. We work closely with the Shreveport Convention Center team and area hotels and resorts to attract regional meetings, sports events and tourist attractions.” He continues: “The Press Play campaign was developed to help planners see value and help offset cost locally.” In sum, Bradley thinks planners will find Shreveport- Bossier a meetings destination that has it all: “Great people, great accommodations, and great location in the center of the region.” | AC&F | 49 JANUARY 2023 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES The staff was exceptional, experienced, accommodating and eager to make us look good. Michelle Malloy, CMP Senior Director of Meetings National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Baton Rouge offers events such as the Blues Festival, pictured. The city touts its own culture of history, food and music, and offers an array of convention hotels and venues that can accommodate events large and small. VISIT BATON ROUGENext >