Baltimore Convention Center & Nearby Hotels

One of Frommer's Top 10 Up-and-Coming Destinations in the World

Baltimore, a bustling city built on tradition and civic pride, is an American success story. Since the redevelopment of the Inner Harbor in the late 1970s, Baltimore has set the standard for urban renewal and is now a major travel destination welcoming nearly 16 million business and leisure visitors each year. That's one of the reasons why Frommer's, the world leader in travel guides, recently named Baltimore one of the top 10 up-and-coming destinations in the world.

The crown jewel of Baltimore is the Inner Harbor, a scenic and popular waterfront area with dozens of retail stores, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance of 20 major hotels and the Baltimore Convention Center. Street entertainers, open-air concerts, fireworks, parades, and paddleboats enhance the festive atmosphere of the harbor.

But there's more to Baltimore than you see at first glance. Charming historic neighborhoods surround the Inner Harbor, each filled with a storied past, great food, and plenty to explore. And best yet, you can get to them on foot or by hopping onto one of Baltimore's famous water taxis.

At the center of the city's renewed downtown area is the award-winning 1.2-million-square-foot Baltimore Convention Center. Its expansive interior can easily accommodate 80 percent of the country's convention business. Linked by overhead walkways to Inner Harbor hotels and fine dining, the center tripled in size in 1997 and was fully renovated. It now boasts 300,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, including 54 carpeted meeting rooms that span 116,000 square feet of space and comfortably hold groups of 85 to 1,600 people.  

A multifunctional, 36,000-square-foot ballroom seats 4,000 delegates theater-style and is divisible into four sections. Five large registration lobbies are spacious and provide more than ample room for registration activities, while a landscaped outdoor terrace and covered pavilion are ideal for special events or relaxation between sessions.

Baltimore boasts 6,500 hotel rooms downtown (3,500 committable) and another 7,000 on the outskirts of the city that can accommodate groups of all sizes. Many of the downtown hotels are connected to the Inner Harbor restaurants and shops by a skywalk. All of the major hotels have garage space or valet parking.

Many planners favor Baltimore for its convenient location on the Eastern Seaboard, within driving distance of one-half of the U.S. population. An efficient network of roadways, including the Baltimore Beltway that circles the city and connects with six major highways (I-95, I-195, I-97, I-83, I-70, and MD-295), serve the metropolitan area. One of the fastest growing airports in the nation, Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, lies just 15 minutes from downtown and offers direct service (more than 700 daily flights) from 64 U.S. cities and eight international cities. Amtrak's high-speed Acela trains link the city with New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Boston.

Water taxis transport visitors to 35 attractions and five eclectic neighborhoods around the Inner Harbor, including Fell's Point, an historic area with original cobblestone streets, jazz and blues pubs, and art galleries. Ethnic experiences in Little Italy and Greektown await groups, too.

Finally, for those who haven't visited recently, there is always something new in Baltimore. Brand new offerings include the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, Sports Legends at Camden Yards, and Animal Planet Australia at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, all of which opened in 2005.

And there's more in store! Plans for 2006 include the Frederick Douglass ? Isaac Myers Maritime Park on the Fells Point waterfront and Geppi's Entertainment Museum, a pop culture and comic book museum at Camden Yards.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact the Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association at (410) 659-7017 or visit its Web site at www.baltimore.org.

Hotel Specs
Hotel Rooms Within Close Proximity of Convention Center 6,500
Hotel Rooms Accessible By Shuttle (in addition to 6,500 rooms near Convention Center) 7,000

ConventionCenterSpecs
BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER
Total Space 1.2 million sq ft
Total Exhibit Space 300,000 sq ft
Total Meeting Space 85,000 sq ft
Total Meeting Rooms 54
Ballroom 36,000 sq ft

BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

• Baltimore Convention Center features 1.2 million square feet of flexible space, including 300,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space divisible into seven halls and a great deal of prefunction space.
• Fifty-four carpeted meeting rooms hold 85 to 1,600 people in 85,000 square feet of space.
• A 36,000-square-foot ballroom, divisible into four sections, seats 4,000 theater-style. It boasts 28-foot-high ceilings, built-in sound, and complete catering facilities.
• Other features of the center include spacious prefunction lobbies, a landscaped outdoor terrace, and a covered pavilion ? plus overhead doors and 26 covered loading docks for direct drive-through access.

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

• Baltimore's hotel package includes 6,500 downtown rooms near the Baltimore Convention Center. An additional 10,000 rooms are a short shuttle ride away.
• The 188-unit Marriott Residence Inn Baltimore Downtown/Inner Harbor recently began welcoming guests.
• The Hyatt Regency Baltimore recently updated all 486 guest rooms with a sophisticated new look.

Boston: Westin Waterfront & Convention & Exhibition Center 

Property Primed for July 2006 Opening 

Holding a meeting in Boston will soon be easier than ever, thanks to the opening of The Westin Boston Waterfront this coming July. Ideally situated in the city's Seaport District, the 790-room luxury convention hotel will be the only property connected to the new $800 million Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC),  the largest convention center in the Northeast.

 Upon completion, The Westin Boston Waterfront will provide access to more than 1.6 million square feet of meeting space, including 516,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space and an additional 160,000 square feet of convention space. A total of 32,000 square feet of meeting space at the hotel will encompass a 15,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom and a 4,000-square-foot Commonwealth Ballroom, as well as an additional 14 breakout rooms with a capacity to accommodate groups of five to 150 people. Meeting attendees needing to attend to business while staying at The Westin Boston Waterfront will have no difficulty completing important tasks. The property's business center will offer computer and telecommunications equipment rentals, as well as desktop publishing and administrative services. All guest rooms, including 29 suites and two Presidential Suites, will feature dual-line telephones with voice messaging, in-room data ports, and large work desks. Planners, too, will appreciate how easy it is to put together and carry out meetings when doing so at The Westin Boston Waterfront: A STAR Meeting Concierge will stand ready to handle groups? requirements, and complete audiovisual support will be available.

 The hotel's guest rooms and suites will also take pampering to new levels with Westin's The Heavenly Bed and The Heavenly Bath concepts. The all-white Heavenly Bed consists of a custom-designed pillowtop mattress with 900 individual coils; three sheets, ranging in thread count from 180 to 250; a down blanket (three versions for three different climates); a comforter and crisp duvet; and five pillows. Westin's The Heavenly Bath experience features a custom-designed shower with a Speakman dual showerhead, a specially designed curved shower rod to allow for more elbow room in the shower without causing shower curtain cling, oversized combed cotton bath sheets, custom-designed bathrobes, and new spa amenities.

 But the amenities won't stop there. Consistent with Westin's focus on satisfying guests' needs away from home, The Westin Boston Waterfront will feature a WestinWorkout Powered by Reebok custom-designed fitness facility. The sleek new fitness room will be reminiscent of facilities found in upscale health clubs and will be replete with treadmills, upright bikes, recumbent bikes, steppers, and elliptical trainers, as well as leg extension, leg curl, shoulder press, lat pulldown, and chest machines; free weights, and Cardio Theater  personal viewing screens and sound systems on all cardiovascular workout equipment. Part of the room as well will be a Reebok Core Training Zone,  a unique center created to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic conditioning and outfitted with such special Reebok equipment as Core Boards, medicine balls, stability balls, and resistance tubing.

What's more, with its own stop on Boston's "T" transportation system, The Westin Boston Waterfront puts attendees within easy reach of all of Boston's historic sites and attractions, including museums, galleries, theaters, and sporting events. The Financial District, Back Bay, North End, Faneuil Hall, and Fenway Park lie minutes away. The hotel will also be situated less than 10 minutes and three miles from Logan International Airport  easily accessible by taxi, bus, or water shuttle  and minutes from I-90 and I-93.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Michelle Hagerty, director of group sales, The Westin Boston Waterfront, Pre-Opening Sales Office, 451 D Street, Suite 910, Boston, MA 02210; phone: (617) 532-4851; fax: (617) 532-4630; e-mail: michelle.hagerty@westin.com.

ConventionCenterSpecs
BOSTON CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTER
Total Contiguous Exhibit Space 516,000 sq ft
Total Additional Meeting Space 160,000 sq ft

HotelSpecs
THE WESTIN BOSTON WATERFRONT
Total Guest Rooms and Suites: 790
Total Meeting Space 32,000 sq ft
Grand Ballroom 15,000 sq ft
Commonwealth Ballroom 4,000 sq ft.
Total Breakout and Conference Rooms (excluding ballrooms) 14

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

• The Westin Boston Waterfront will feature 790 rooms and will be the only property connected to the new $800 million Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC).
• When it has been completed, the property will provide access to more than 1.6 million square feet of meeting space, including 516,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space and an additional 160,000 square feet of convention space.
• A total of 32,000 square feet of meeting space at the hotel will encompass a 15,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom and a 4,000-square-foot Commonwealth Ballroom, as well as an additional 14 breakout rooms with a capacity to accommodate groups of five to 150 people

Connecticut Convention Center, Nearby Hotels, & Unique Venues

Premier Facility Now Open for Business

Ranking among the top 6 percent of North American regions for arts and culture by Places Rated Almanac, Hartford offers groups a tantalizing menu of theater, art, and musical options at more than 200 arts, cultural, and heritage organizations.

You can take in a concert or performance under the stars on the Connecticut Riverfront, at the Meadows Music Theater, or in beautiful Bushnell Park. Visit the Mark Twain House and Museum, the Harriett Beecher Stowe Center, or the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, the nation?s oldest public art museum. Take in the Old State House, site of the Amistad Trial, where the new "History is All Around Us" interactive museum is scheduled to open in June of 2006. Enjoy a Broadway show, symphony, or opera performance at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts or award-winning theater at Hartford Stage or TheaterWorks.

Hartford's restaurant scene is exciting and diverse, from an Ethiopian bakery and vegetarian eatery (Kebra Negast) to adventurous Mexican (Agave), from Brazilian (Churrascaria Braza) to Spanish (La Paloma Sabanera). The city?s old-time favorites, like Pastis, Trumbull Kitchen, Spris, No Fish Today, and The Red Plate are being joined by new players like Vaughan's, Picasso, Cugino's, Rose Gourmet, Mayor Mike's, Jurgen's Fine Food, the Pump House Grill, and Keller's American Bistro.

Accessible to more than 23 million people within a two-and-one-half hour drive, Hartford offers ease and affordability to meeting planners with the development of new hotels and meeting facilities, all within a walkable downtown setting. Anchoring $2 billion in development projects within the city, the Connecticut Convention Center opened in June 2005 with 205,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. As the hub of Adriaen?s Landing, a retail and entertainment complex, the center is within walking distance of jogging trails, parklands and boating facilities.

The Connecticut Convention Center's bold design incorporates a plaza and vaulted roof to the north, a tree-lined esplanade, and an architecturally attractive exposure overlooking I-91 and the Connecticut River to the east. Vast prefunction areas are perfect for registration, receptions, or exhibit booths. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows afford exhilarating open-air views of the Hartford skyline and the Connecticut River.

Next door to the center is the future home of the state-of-the-art Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration, scheduled to open in 2008. The Connecticut Convention Center is also adjacent to the new 22-story, $81 million Marriott Hartford Downtown Hotel, which features its own meeting and ballroom space, as well as 409 guest rooms and suites.

Also downtown and connected to the Hartford Civic Center, is the four-star quality Hilton Hartford Hotel, which after a $34 million transformation, opened in March 2005 with 392 guest rooms and 11 suites. The Hilton Hartford offers 15,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. Overlooking the city, the hotel?s Hartford Commons is a unique meeting concession area for meal breaks.

Other downtown hotels conveniently located within an easy walk of the convention center include the Crowne Plaza Hartford Hotel, Sheraton Hartford Hotel, Residence Inn Hartford Downtown, the Goodwin Hotel, and the Holiday Inn Express Hartford. There are more than 6,000 hotel rooms within a 30-mile radius of the city, offering attendees a variety of accommodations.

The expanded Bradley International Airport, minutes from downtown, was recently recognized by Newsweek as one of the nation's top boutique airports. Downtown's Union Station provides Amtrak service and serves as a transportation hub for major bus lines. Once you arrive in Hartford, explore the city with ease by taking a free ride on the Hartford Star Shuttle, which travels a loop around the city every 10-12 minutes, stopping at many of Hartford's major attractions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
"Plan, Book and Play in Hartford" with the greatest of ease. Contact the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau at (860) 728-6789 or visit www.enjoyhartford.com.

ConventionCenterSpecs
CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER
Total Exhibit Space 540,000 sq ft.
Exhibit Hall 140,000 sq ft
800 10' x 10' booths
Loading Docks 20
Drive-in bays 2
Ballroom 40,000 sq ft
32' ceiling height
200 booths
Group meals for 3,000
Reception for 5,000
Additional meeting space
19 meeting rooms 25,000 sq ft

HotelSpecs
Property (Downtown Hartford) # Sleeping Rms # Meeting Rms Total meeting room sq ft
Crowne Plaza
Downtown Hartford 350 12 7,200
Hilton Hartford Hotel 392 21 15,000
Holiday Inn Express 96 2 1,400
Marriott Hartford Downtown 409 14 13,000

Residence Inn
Downtown Hartford 120 2 1,600
Sheraton Hartford Hotel 215 10 4,675
The Goodwin Hotel 124 8 6,602

CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

• The 540,000-square-feet convention center is the anchor of Adriaen?s Landing, a retail and entertainment complex, and is walking distance from jogging trails, parklands, and boating.
• The 140,000-square-foot exhibit hall can accommodate up to 800 10'x10' booths, with 20 loading docks, two drive-in bays, and a drive-on exhibit floor.
• The center?s bold design incorporates a plaza and vaulted roof to the north, a tree-lined esplanade, and an architecturally attractive exposure overlooking I-91 and the Connecticut River to the east.

HARTFORD HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

• There are 6,000-plus hotel rooms within a 30-mile city radius.
• Adjacent to the convention center, the Marriott Hartford Downtown Hotel will feature 409 guest rooms and suites, a signature restaurant, a cocktail lounge, Starbucks Cafe, and concierge services, along with a rooftop swimming pool, fitness center, and luxury spa services.
• The Hilton Hartford, an AAA Four-Diamond Quality and Service property, is connected to the Hartford Civic Center via a skywalk, giving hotel guests access to shopping and outstanding sports, cultural and consumer show events.

Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center & Nearby Hotels

The Perfect Mix for Association Meetings and Conventions

Situated alongside a picturesque harbor on the beautiful Pacific Ocean, Long Beach is a dream come true for meeting planners and attendees alike. Small enough to claim as one's own for any number of days, yet offering the experience, diversity, and variety of a much larger city, Long Beach truly has it all - the best of Southern California dining, entertainment, and culture, all within a compact, easily accessible area.

Behind the scenes, planners will find an outstanding level of teamwork and experience between hotels and facilities. Simply put, Long Beach has what it takes to host some of the world's most prestigious organizations and events, such as the Olympic Swim Trials, and to win accolades and awards from meeting planners and associations across the globe for hosting record-breaking conferences year after year.

The perfect venue for productive meetings awaits at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, located in the heart of the city's billion-dollar oceanfront residential and entertainment district within walking distance of everything attendees require. Here, groups will discover more than 300,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and exhibit space, including 224,000 contiguous square feet of exhibit space that may be divided into three sections and used in any combination thereof. Thirty-four additional meeting rooms provide an additional 78,730 square feet of space.

Graceful nine-foot-tall ceilings, panoramic Pacific Ocean views, and column-free architecture distinguish the elegant 20,456-square-foot Grand Ballroom, the largest in the city with space for more than 2,000 people. The Seaside Ballroom provides an additional 6,317 square feet of space, ideal for a banquet for 400 people or a reception for 700 guests.

Other components of the center include the Terrace Theater, the Center Theater, and the Long Beach Arena. Featuring three-tiered seating levels in the European tradition, the Terrace Theater has 3,052 seats and a full glass front that affords magnificent views of the Terrace fountain. An intimate venue featuring two half-circle seating levels around a five-sided thrust stage, the 825-seat Center Theater features a view of the Rainbow Lagoon and the majestic Queen Mary from its large windows. The world?s largest mural, created by renowned sea-life painter Wyland, serves as a perfect entree to the Long Beach Arena, which seats 13,500 people and has more than 75,000 square feet of exhibit space that may also be used for special events and sports.

Complementing the Long Beach Convention Center is the city's dazzling selection of hotel rooms, all of which are either new and recently renovated. Citywide, Long Beach offers 4,209 rooms. Downtown, it?s just a short walk from the center and other conference facilities to some 2,984 hotel rooms, as well as to entertainment and dining venues. Adjacent to the center lies the Hyatt Regency Long Beach, which has 522 recently renovated guest rooms and suites. The Westin Long Beach, with 460 guest rooms (including 31 suites) and the Renaissance Long Beach, with 374 guest rooms, are found just across the street, while The Queen Mary, permanently docked in Queensway Bay (also downtown) pampers guests in 365 staterooms and stateroom suites.

What's more, at the end of a day of meetings in Long Beach, attendees will truly find the world at their feet. From fine dining to sidewalk cafes, downtown Long Beach features more than 100 restaurants within an eight-block radius. Delegates can walk to fabulous shopping, hip-hop night clubs, and such attractions as The Queen Mary, the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, the Long Beach Museum of Art and Museum of Latin American Art, The Pike at Rainbow Harbor, GameWorks, and even the beach. They can also head for the docks to enjoy a gondola canal tour, a whale- and dolphin-watching expedition, or a Catalina cruise.

Long Beach is one part business and 10 parts pleasure -the perfect mix for any association meeting.

LONG BEACH CONVENTION & ENTERTAINMENT CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

• The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center offers 300,000-plus square feet of meeting and exhibit space.
• An exhibit area with 224,000 square feet of space may be divided into three spaces of 91,000 square feet, 57,000 square feet, and 76,000 square feet, used in any combination.
• Thirty-four additional meeting rooms provide a collective 78,730 square feet of meeting space.
• The Seaside Ballroom offers 6,317 square feet of meeting space; the Grand Ballroom, 20,456 square feet; and there?s also the 3,052-seat Terrace Theater, 825-seat Center Theater, and the Long Beach Arena, offering seating for 13,500 people as well as more than 75,000 square feet of exhibit space.
• The Long Beach Convention Center gives groups easy access to Los Angeles and suburban Orange County. Universal Studios and Hollywood are 40 minutes to the north; Disneyland and the beaches of the Orange Coast lie 30 minutes to the Southeast. Long Beach Airport is serviced by JetBlue, American, America West, and Alaska Air, offering direct flights to many major U.S. cities and easy domestic and international connections. Los Angeles International Airport and John Wayne Airport in Orange County are within easy driving distance.

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

• Downtown Long Beach has some 2,984 hotel rooms. There are an additional 1,225 rooms in other parts of the city and in the airport area, for a total of 4,209 rooms citywide.
• Downtown hotels include the Hyatt Regency Long Beach, The Westin Long Beach, the Hilton Long Beach & Executive Meeting Center, the Renaissance Long Beach, and The Queen Mary.
• Rounding out the list of downtown hotels are the Long Beach Marriott, Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center, Residence Inn by Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, The Coast Long Beach Hotel, Extended Stay America, Best Western at the Convention Center, Travelodge Convention Center, City Center Motel, Inn of Long Beach, and Rodeway Inn.
• Airport area hotels include the Long Beach Marriott, Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center, Residence Inn by Marriott, and Extended Stay America.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Call the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 452-7829, or visit www.visitlongbeach.com.

ConventionCenterSpecs
LONG BEACH CONVENTION & ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
Total Meeting and Exhibit Space 300,000+ sq ft
Exhibit Hall 224,000 sq ft
Exhibit Hall A 91,000 sq ft
Exhibit Hall B 57,000 sq ft
Exhibit Hall C 76,000 sq ft
Promenade Meeting Rooms 78,730 sq ft
Grand Ballroom 20,456 sq ft
Seaside Ballroom 6,317 sq ft
Terrace Theater 3,052 seats
Center Theater 825 seats

LONG BEACH ARENA
Seats 13,500
Exhibit Space 75,000+ sq ft

Memphis Cook Convention

City Keeps Attendees Coming Back for More

Maybe it's the rhythm of the mighty Mississippi River. Maybe it's a history of early struggles that gave birth to the blues. Maybe it's a maverick attitude that inspired a truck-driving young man named Elvis Presley to cut his first record and turn the world upside down. Whatever it is, it not only gives Memphis a soul all its own, it makes the city the perfect meeting destination and keeps groups coming back for more.

The centerpiece of the Memphis meeting package is the Memphis Cook Convention Center, where a recent expansion and renovation has increased total meeting and exhibit space to more than 350,000 square feet. In the Main Hall, groups will find 125,000 square feet of column-free exhibit space; the South Hall has 35,098 square feet of exhibit space.

A total of 31 breakout and meeting rooms span a collective 74,000 square feet of space, providing ample accommodations for small and large groups alike, while a 28,000-square-foot, "hotel-quality" ballroom can host banquets for 2,000 people. The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, located in the same building, features near-perfect acoustics for those seated in its 2,100 seats.

In addition to top-caliber facilities, the Memphis Cook Convention Center boasts an array of sophisticated communications technology. Voice data connections exist throughout the facility, and a house sound/public address system is available in the exhibit and meeting halls. Also offered are videoconferencing/satellite downlink equipment, external connections and power sources for TV/satellite production vehicles, and two-way radio control.

Connected to the convention center is the Memphis Marriott-Downtown hotel, which recently completed a $14 million expansion that included the construction of a 14-story, 200-room tower for a total of 600 guest rooms. In an arrangement that guarantees quality food and service, Marriott also handles the food service at the convention center.

Across the street, the 230-room Wyndham Garden Hotel has also undergone a top-to-bottom renovation.

Just a trolley ride away is the historic Residence Inn by Marriott, with 90 beautifully appointed suites. Listed with the National Historic Register, the property has been carefully restored to reflect its original Art Deco architecture. Right next to the Peabody Place retail complex, the 144-room Peabody Place Hampton Inn and Suites overlooks Beale Street, birthplace of the Blues, and as well as Handy Park. Its balconies offer a prime view of the Beale Street nightlife. The famed "South's Grand Hotel," the Peabody Memphis, has embarked on a major renovation of its 468 guest rooms that will blend 21st-century amenities with historic rooms.

Members of groups meeting at the convention center and staying at its nearby hotels can easily meander along Main and Front streets, once the world's cotton trading center. In one direction, a few blocks away, lie the fabulous historic homes of cotton industry barons, and in the other, the expansive Mississippi River rolls by. A short stroll leads to the one and only Beale Street, where Memphis music still rocks every night and hums throughout the day. Adjacent to Beale, old warehouses now comprise a lively historic arts district, all connected to the convention center area by the quaint, convenient Downtown Trolley.

Beyond Beale Street are many other world-renowned attractions. FedExForum, home of the NBA Grizzlies, provides 18,500 seats for concerts and events as well as basketball. Featuring a music theme, the venue houses the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, home of the Smithsonian exhibition exploring America?s musical roots. Elvis Presley's Graceland is one of the most visited private residences in the United States and a "must-see" for every visitor to Memphis. The National Civil Rights Museum documents the entire Civil Rights struggle from mid-19th century until today. Stax Museum of American Soul Music pays tribute to the R&B sound that distinguished Memphis musicians and rounded out the triumvirate of the Memphis musical legacy  "Blues, Soul, and Rock n' Roll."

Memphis truly offers a music and entertainment backdrop to a destination package that's hard to beat.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau at (901) 543-5300 or (800) 873-6282; or visit www.memphistravel.com.

ConventionCenterSpecs
Memphis Cook Convention Center
Total Meeting and Exhibit Space: 350,000+ sq ft
Main Hall: 125,000 sq ft
South Hall: 30,098 sq ft
Total Meeting Space: 74,000 sq ft
Total Meeting Rooms: 31
Ballroom: 28,000 sq ft
Performing Arts Center: 2,100 seats

HotelSpecs
Memphis Marriott-Downtown
Total Guest Rooms: 600
Largest Meeting Room Capacity: 425

Wyndham Garden Hotel
Total Guest Rooms: 230
Largest Meeting Room Capacity: 266

Residence Inn By Marriott
Total Guest Rooms: 90
Largest Meeting Room Capacity: 40

Peabody Place Hampton Inn and Suites
Total Guest Rooms: 144
Largest Meeting Room Capacity: N/A

Peabody Memphis
Total Guest Rooms: 464
Largest Meeting Room Capacity: 1,600

CONVENTION CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

• The Memphis Cook Convention Center recently underwent a $100 million renovation and expansion, increasing its total meeting and exhibit space to more than 350,000 square feet.
• The center features 31 breakout and meeting rooms in 74,000 square feet of space, plus a 28,000-square-foot ballroom that can host banquets for 2,000 people.
• The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, in the same building, offers 2,100 seats.
• There is a direct connection between the center and the Memphis Marriott-Downtown hotel.

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

• The Memphis Marriott-Downtown hotel is connected to the Memphis Cook Convention Center and features 600 guest rooms.
• Other hotels within close proximity of the center include the Wyndham Garden Hotel (230 rooms), Residence Inn by Marriott (90 suites), Peabody Place Hampton Inn and Suites (144 rooms), and the Peabody Memphis (468 rooms).
• There are 20,500 hotel rooms in Memphis, including 2,600 rooms within walking distance of the convention center. Of the latter, 1,900 are committable for meetings.

Downtown Nashville Convention Collection

Enjoy Convenient One-Stop Shopping in "Music City USA"

In the heart of Nashville lies a downtown area bursting with music, entertainment, shops, restaurants, and cultural events. And what better entity to bring it all to groups than the Downtown Nashville Convention Collection (DNCC), an alliance of hospitality professionals working with the Nashville Convention Center and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau to provide convenient one-stop shopping for meetings, conventions, exhibitions, and tradeshows held in "Music City USA?"

The collection consists of premier convention facilities, as well as downtown hotels with a total of up to 3,000 committable guest rooms near the world-class Nashville Convention Center. Serving as a convenient headquarters facility is the 673-room Renaissance Nashville Hotel, which offers direct connections to the Nashville Convention Center, another collection component. In addition to the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, hotel members of the DNCC include the Hilton Nashville Downtown (330 suites), Marriott Nashville at Vanderbilt University (150 rooms, six suites), Union Station-A Wyndham Historic Hotel (125 rooms, 13 suites), Sheraton Nashville Downtown (350 rooms, 12 suites), and Loews Vanderbilt Hotel Nashville (340 rooms, 14 suites). Rounding out the roster are the Best Western Downtown Convention Center (100 rooms), Holiday Inn Express Nashville Downtown (287 rooms, 14 suites), Embassy Suites-Nashville at Vanderbilt (208 suites), Millennium Maxwell House (289 rooms, four suites), Doubletree Hotel (337 rooms, 10 suites), Ramada @ The Stadium (120 rooms, seven suites), and Courtyard by Marriott Nashville Downtown (192 rooms, 12 suites).

The Nashville Convention Center features an 118,675-square-foot exhibit hall that may be divided into three sections and has 27-foot ceilings that allow it to accommodate large exhibits. Also part of the facility are an 11,000-square-foot ballroom and 30,000 square feet of lobby and terrace space. Nashville's popular 20,000-seat Gaylord Entertainment Center offers state-of-the-art space that's perfect for large general sessions. Smaller events may be hosted at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium, which boasts 63,000 square feet of exhibit space and a 9,600-seat arena.

A downtown location puts delegates at the center of the attractions that have made Music City USA famous, with a wide range of dining, shopping, and performance venues. From jazz to urban contemporary, country to classic, music runs through the city's veins. Interactive exhibits lend excitement to the $37-million Country Music Hall of Fame -a "must see" for country music fans. The Tennessee Performing Arts Center and The Ryman Auditorium also present a variety of concerts and shows. The 24,000-square-foot Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville's first major arts exhibition venue of its size, unveils different exhibitions several times each year.

Hungry? Restaurants fill the Second Avenue Historic and Entertainment District. Sports aficionados will want to head to The Coliseum to catch the excitement of the Nashville Predators NHL hockey team or the hard-hitting football action of the NFL Tennessee Titans.

The Tennessee capitol building, restored Belle Mead Plantation, and The Hermitage (home of President Andrew Jackson) are also nearby. Groups can enjoy several nearby golf courses or head to Music Row, lined with recording studios that represent some of the biggest names in country music

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact David Bruce II at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, (615) 255-8400; or Mary Hammet at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel Nashville, (615) 320-1700; or visit
www.conventionnashville.com.

ConventionCenterSpecs
NASHVILLE CONVENTION CENTER
Total Exhibit Space 118,675 sq ft
West Exhibit Hall 39,950 sq ft
Center Exhibit Hall 38,775 sq ft
East Exhibit Hall 39,950 sq ft
Center & West Halls 78,725 sq ft
Ballroom (divisible into three sections) 11,000 sq ft
Lobby/Terrace Space: 30,000 sq ft
Total Breakout Rooms: 25

GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
Seats 20,000
Main Bowl Exhibit Space 40,000 sq ft
Concourse Exhibit Space 15,000 sq ft
Total Meeting Space 6,000 sq ft
Rehearsal Hall 13,500 sq ft

NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM
Total Exhibit Space 6,300 sq ft
Arena 9,600 seats

HotelSpecs
Total Hotels In DNCC 13
Total Committable Rooms Up to 3,000

CONVENTION FACILITIES HIGHLIGHTS

• Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the Nashville Convention Center features an 118,675-square-foot exhibit hall with 27'-high ceilings. The hall accommodates 615 10' x 10' booths, 9,000 attendees theater-style, or 6,000 delegates banquet-style.
• Meeting space at the center includes 25 breakout rooms. An 11,000-square-foot ballroom can be divided into three sections.
• A pedestrian walkway links the facility to the 20,000-seat Gaylord Entertainment Center whose Main Bowl spans 40,000 square feet of exhibit space and can be divided in half. Meeting space in the center?s arena totals 6,000 square feet. An additional concourse provides 15,000 square feet
  of meeting space.
• The Nashville Municipal Auditorium has 63,000 square feet
  of exhibit space and a 9,600-seat arena.

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

• The Downtown Nashville Convention Collection includes 13 hotels. They are: Renaissance Nashville Hotel (673 rooms), Hilton Nashville Downtown (330 suites), Marriott Nashville at Vanderbilt University (150 rooms, six suites), Union Station-A Wyndham Historic Hotel (125 rooms, 13 suites), Sheraton Nashville Downtown (350 rooms, 12 suites), Loews Vanderbilt Hotel Nashville (340 rooms, 14 suites), Best Western Downtown Convention Center (100 rooms), Holiday Inn Express Nashville Downtown (287 rooms, 14 suites), Embassy Suites-Nashville at Vanderbilt (208 suites), Millennium Maxwell House (289 rooms, four suites), Doubletree Hotel (337 rooms, 10 suites), Ramada @ The Stadium (120 rooms, seven suites), and Courtyard by Marriott Nashville Downtown (192 rooms, 12 suites).
• The DNCC encompasses up to 3,000 committable hotel rooms in close proximity to the Nashville Convention Center, Gaylord Entertainment Center, and Nashville Municipal Auditorium.

The Conference Center Niagara Falls & Nearby Hotels

Top-Caliber Meeting Facilities at a Sensible Price

Meeting in a high-quality facility need not mean straining your budget. The Conference Center Niagara Falls provides groups with technologically advanced surroundings for their most important conferences and events, at an entirely sensible price.

Inspired by the magnificence of Niagara Falls and exceeding the highest criteria set by the International Association of Convention Centers (IACC), The Conference Center Niagara Falls offers a variety of options. Planners can choose from among the venue's 19,500-square-foot Learning Center, 10,500-square-foot Cascades Ballroom, and 32,200-square-foot Event Center.

The facility's IACC-certified Learning Center is second to none, and with 15 meeting rooms, it serves as the perfect place for any size meeting. The Center's video-on-demand capability provides a unified portal for accessing live and on-demand media over an Ethernet network, allowing two-way video from any network (VLAN) jack in the building. A mobile videoconference system permits videoconferencing from the Governor's, Chairman's, Schoellkopf, and Red Jacket rooms, as well as the ability to facilitate videoconferencing to and from any location via IP and ISDN. Live content may be broadcast from the Governor's, Chairman's, Schoellkopf, and Red Jacket rooms, and stored for later use.

The Governor's, Chairman's, Schoellkopf, and Red Jacket rooms also boast permanently installed audiovisual equipment, including LCD projectors and screens and stereo speakers for computer-based video playback (DVD and/or VHS). The Governor's room has a motorized lectern with a microphone and wireless Lavaliere or hand-held microphone. A 60-inch plasma screen replaces the LCD projector in the Chairman's room. Portable equipment available on site includes 78-inch Poly Vision Walk and Talk Interactive Whiteboards with IBM laptop computers, plus LCD projectors.

All meeting rooms within the Learning Center also boast ergonomic chairs and non-glare conference tables. Business Center and support staff with technical expertise stand ready to accommodate groups' every need.

Meanwhile, "white glove" service, fine china and crystal, European flatware, and elegant linens lend the perfect touch to any event held in the center's Cascades Ballroom. As one of the largest rooms of its type in Western New York, the elegantly appointed ballroom features a theater-style seating capacity of 1,050 people and a reception capacity of 1,500 guests. It can also hold 700 delegates classroom-style and 650 people for a banquet. A 5,000-square-foot Grand Foyer is ideal for receptions of up to 750 guests.

Equally appealing is the 32,200-square-foot Event Center can comfortably accommodate up to 200 exhibit booths or 3,000 theater-style in a setting complete with finished walls, 27-foot ceilings and the latest in acoustics, lighting, and staging capabilities.

An attractive location and world-class customer service also make The Conference Center Niagara Falls an unbeatable choice for association events of any kind. The facility's attentive staff is dedicated to helping planners execute flawless events, individually designed to meet the needs of every occasion.

Just as significantly, the facility is situated within driving distance of major business centers. Niagara Falls, one of the great natural wonders of the world, is just a short walk from the center. Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest state park in the United States (designed by Frederick Law Olmstead), lies two blocks away. Other nearby attractions include the Third Street Entertainment District, featuring a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues; Aquarium of Niagara, Cave of the Winds, and Old Fort Niagara.
What's more, the area immediately surrounding The Conference Center Niagara Falls offers accommodations to suit every preference and pocketbook. Select from more than a dozen properties, ranging from luxury full-service hotels to moderately priced limited-service motels and quaint bed-and-breakfast inns.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Call (716) 278-2100, send an e-mail to info@niagarafalls-cc.com, or visit the facility?s Web site at www.niagarafalls-cc.com.

ConventionCenterSpecs
Learning Center 19,500 sq ft
Cascades Ballroom 10,500 sq ft
Event Center 32,200 sq ft
Total Meeting Rooms 15
Smallest Meeting Room 210 sq ft
Largest Meeting Room 10,500 sq ft

HotelSpecs
Total Hotel Rooms Nearby 2,100

THE CONFERENCE CENTER NIAGARA FALLS HIGHLIGHTS

• The Conference Center Niagara Falls features a 19,500-square-foot Learning Center, a 10,500-square-foot Cascades Ballroom, and a 32,500-square-foot Cascades Ballroom.
• The Learning Center boasts 15 meeting rooms, all equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
• The area immediately surrounding the center offers accommodations to suit every need. There are more than a dozen hotels, motels, and inns, ranging from luxury full-service properties to moderately priced limited-service motels and bed-and-breakfast inns. A collective 2,100 rooms are found within a short distance of the facility.
• Shopping, dining, and entertainment venues, as well as the magnificent Niagara Falls, are also within close proximity of the center.

Qwest Center Omaha & Hilton Omaha

Premier Facilities in a Premier Location

The Qwest Center Omaha has, since opening in 2003, positioned Omaha as one of the Midwest' premier convention destinations and established a reputation as a premier facility. As one planner whose group met there recently stated, "Qwest Center Omaha is a world-class convention center in a city that has it all." Or as another planner has noted, the facility "truly put(s) the 'Oh' in Omaha!"

At the Qwest Center Omaha, groups have access to 194,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, a 30,500-square-foot grand ballroom, and 16 meeting rooms, for a total of more than 63,000 square feet of meeting space and more than 42,500 square feet of prefunction space. The facility features nothing less than unparalleled capabilities in the areas of voice and data communications, Internet access, CATV, video, and networking capabilities on the wired and wireless fronts. Not only is the entire building a wireless hot spot; users can easily access the wireless network on their own. In fact, the design of the network is such that it features the same stability and high speed offered by traditional wired networks. Data security is never a problem, as virtual local area network (VLAN) solutions are readily available.

Other high-tech features of the venue demonstrate a real commitment to offering state-of-the-art engineering, equipment, and wiring. A fiber-optic backbone with a data transfer rate of one gigabyte per second allows for flawless execution of high-speed videoconferencing, Web casting, straight data transfer, and more; fiber-optic cabling handles larger volumes of data without bottlenecks. Internet speed and connections are ample and enhanced for maximum communications flexibility.

A glass-enclosed sky bridge links the center to the Hilton Omaha hotel, which opened in 2004 as an enhancement to the city's convention facilities and, not long afterward, was awarded the prestigious Four Diamond Award by the American Automobile Association (AAA). Currently Nebraska's only AAA Four Diamond hotel, the property features 30,000 square feet of versatile function space, including a 10,000-square-foot ballroom, 15 additional meeting rooms, and 6,800 square feet of elegant foyer space that is ideal for breaks and social functions.

Like the Qwest Center Omaha, the Hilton Omaha offers top-tier service and amenities. An experienced staff and audiovisual team are available to assist in fulfilling group members' meeting-related and personal needs. High-speed wireless Internet access is available throughout the entire property, including all guest rooms as well as in every meeting room.

Meeting attendees staying in any of the hotel's 450 rooms will find themselves immersed in the best that Omaha has to offer - premium comfort with every feature needed for a restful night's stay. The hotel's choice of accommodations also includes executive-level rooms with private access, a private lounge with complimentary breakfast and hors d?oeuvres, and upgraded room amenities.

What's more, all of the Hilton Omaha's culinary venues make mealtime a pleasurable experience. The Liberty Tavern Restaurant serves exquisitely prepared fare in a casually elegant atmosphere. Its private dining room can accommodate up to 16 guests for special events, and an outdoor patio features outdoor seating when weather permits. A sister venue, the Liberty Tavern Bar, offers casual dining and beverages. Java Coast Coffee Emporium provides another oasis of relaxation and refreshment.

Beyond its rooms and restaurants, the Hilton Omaha pampers travelers with such extras as extended room service and a 24-hour business center. A full-service health club features an indoor pool, whirlpool, saunas, and spa/massage rooms.

Topping it off, the Qwest Center Omaha and the Hilton Omaha are ideally situated just three miles (10 minutes) from Omaha Airport and within walking distance of the Old Market entertainment and shopping district. The Old Market offers a flavor of the old and new, with many of its storefronts and restaurants housed in renovated warehouse buildings.

The arts are also alive and well in Omaha. Delegates can enjoy a wealth of world-class theater, symphony, opera, and Broadway show performances, as well as explore the city's many art galleries. Omaha's performing arts scene was recently taken to new heights with the opening of the $92 million Holland Performing Arts Center. With acoustics specifically designed to support the Omaha Symphony and touring programs, the Holland Performing Arts Center gives guests a true concert hall experience.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
To learn more about the Qwest Center Omaha, call (402) 341-1500 or visit www.qwestcenteromaha.com.
For information on the Hilton Omaha, call Hilton Direct at (800) 321-3232, contact the hotel directly at
(402) 998-3400, or visit www.omaha.hilton.com.

ConventionCenterSpecs
QWEST CENTER OMAHA
Total Exhibit Space 194,000 sq ft
Total Meeting Space 63,000+ sq ft
Total Prefunction Space 42,500+ sq ft
Total Meeting Rooms 16
Largest Meeting Room 5,184 sq ft
Grand Ballroom 30,500 sq ft
Arena (connected) 17,000 seats

HotelSpecs
HILTON OMAHA
Total Function Space 30,000 sq ft
Total Meeting Rooms (not including ballroom) 5
Largest Meeting Room (not including ballroom, foyer) 2,863 sq ft
Ballroom 10,000 sq ft
Foyer 6,800 sq ft
Total Guest Rooms and Suites 450

CONVENTION CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

• The Qwest Center Omaha features 194,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, a 30,500-square-foot grand ballroom, and 16 meeting rooms, for a total of more than 63,000 square feet of meeting space and more than 42,500 square feet of prefunction space.
• Connected to a 17,000-seat arena, the center is also linked via a skywalk to the 450-room Hilton Omaha hotel.
• The entire facility is a Wi-Fi hot spot, and virtual local area network (VLAN) solutions are always available for maximum data security.
• A fiber-optic backbone with a data transfer rate of one gigabyte per second allows for flawless execution of videoconferences, Web casting, straight data transfer, and more. Internet speed and connections are ample and enhanced for maximum communications flexibility.
• The Old Market shopping and entertainment district lies within close proximity of the center.
• In addition to its central Midwest location, Qwest Center Omaha is situated just five minutes from Omaha's airport and in the heart of the downtown business district and riverfront revitalization.

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

• Linked to the Qwest Center Omaha via an enclosed skywalk, the Hilton Omaha is Nebraska's only AAA Four Diamond hotel.
• The property accommodates groups in 30,000 square feet of versatile function space, including a 10,000-square-foot ballroom, 15 additional meeting rooms, and 6,800 square feet of foyer space.

Caribe Royale All-Suites Resort and Convention Center & Buena Vista Suites Hotel

Two Premier Properties Join Forces

A seamless, exceptional meeting experience awaits groups convening in Orlando. The Caribe Royale Orlando Suites Resort and Convention Center and the adjacent Buena Vista Suites Hotel have joined forces to form Orlando's largest independently owned all-suite hotel combination in the Lake Buena Vista area, just 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World Resort and 16 miles from Orlando International Airport.

The jointly owned and operated hotels offer a combined 1,600 generous two-room suite accommodations, top-tier meeting facilities with 150,000 square feet of event space, award-winning dining, and a staff ready and available to care for their guests. Simultaneous renovation projects in 2004 have enhanced the 1,200 one-bedroom suites at the Caribe Royale Orlando and the 280 one-bedroom suites at the Buena Vista Suites. In addition to the updated decor and amenities at both properties, all suites at each location, as well as the 120 two-bedroom villas at the Caribe Royale Orlando, now include high-speed Internet access.

"For the meetings market, the Buena Vista Suites property is a perfect complement to the Caribe Royale Orlando when planners need additional sleeping rooms," said Kit McClelland, director of sales and marketing at the Caribe Royale Orlando. "The suites are similar at both locations, and the Buena Vista Suites is only a short walk from our Grand Caribe Convention Center."

Additional enhancements were made to the properties in 2005, including the addition of a two-story, 3,500-square-foot fitness center. The 80-seat Citrus Grill at Buena Vista Suites is being transformed into an open-grill steak and seafood restaurant.

The Caribe Royale's Grand Caribe Convention Center accommodates groups in 150,000 square feet of meeting space, including three ballrooms, 51 breakout rooms, three executive board rooms, and approximately 25,000 square feet of prefunction space. The largest ballroom is the new 40,000-square-foot Grand Sierra Ballroom, which can seat 4,400 people theater-style or 3,300 for banquets.

The Caribe Royale Orlando's two-bedroom villas offer an additional choice for some meeting planners because they are ideal for small meetings of up to 14 people involved in training programs, educational sessions, product introductions, hospitalities, and similar activities. The villas combine the relaxed atmosphere of a residence with the convenience of having full resort amenities and facilities at hand.

Buena Vista Suites also features 3,000 square feet of flexible meeting space for more intimate meetings.
Meanwhile, topping the Caribe Royale Orlando's roster of restaurant options is The Venetian Room, a fine-dining establishment overseen by Moroccan-born chef Khalid Benghallem, who trained and worked in Europe and North Africa before coming to the United States. The Venetian Room earned the coveted AAA Four Diamond rating just two years after it opened. Serving dinner only, it has 92 seats.

Business services available at the Caribe Royale include a concierge, two business centers, in-house audiovisual services, videoconferencing, T1 lines, and wireless high-speed Internet access in meeting rooms. Golf is available off site on an affiliated course, and prime shopping opportunities lie one mile away at the Orlando Premium Outlet.

Complimentary scheduled shuttle services transports guests of both properties to and from the four Walt Disney World theme parks (five minutes away). Two other theme parks, SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Studios Florida, are a 10-minute drive from the hotels.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Visit www.cariberoyale.com and/or www.buenavistasuites.com.

ConventionCenterSpecs
Caribe Royale Orlando All-Suites Resort and Convention Center and Buena Vista Suites Hotel
Total Combined Guest Suites: 1,600
Total Meeting/Event Space

Grande Caribe
Convention Center: 150,000 sq ft
Buena Vista Suites: 3,000 sq ft (plus space in two-bedroom villas)

Grand Caribe Convention Center
Total Breakout Rooms: 51
Total Executive
Board Rooms: 3
Largest Meeting Room: 40,000 sq ft (Grand Sierra Ballroom) Total Prefunction

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

• Jointly owned by the Sierra Land Group of Glendale, Calif., the Caribe Royale Orlando All-Suites Resort and Convention Center and the Buena Vista Suites Hotel feature a collective 1,600 amply-sized two-room suite accommodations.
• Groups booking the properties have access to 150,000 square feet of flexible meeting space at the Caribe Royale Orlando and 3,000 square feet of flexible space at the Buena Vista Suites.
• The Caribe Royale Orlando features a new two-story, 3,500-square-foot fitness center.
• Dining options at the Caribe Royale Orlando include The Venetian Room, a fine-dining restaurant that earned the AAA Four Diamond rating just two years after it opened. The Buena Vista Suites features the 80-seat Citrus Grill and is being transformed into an open-grill steak and seafood restaurant.
• Complimentary scheduled shuttle service between the two properties and the four Walt Disney World theme parks is available.

CONVENTION CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

• The convention center at the Caribe Royale Orlando features 150,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.
• The center features three ballrooms, 51 breakout rooms, three executive board rooms, and approximately 25,000 square feet of prefunction space.
• The largest ballroom is the new 40,000-square-foot Grand Sierra Ballroom, which can seat 4,400 people theater-style or 3,300 people for banquets.

Pasadena Conference Center & Nearby Hotels

City Provides Superior Service, Amenities

In Pasadena, stellar service is the golden rule. By working with the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), meeting planners will have all of the city's resources at the ready. In addition to free site selection assistance and a complimentary housing service, the CVB can help with transportation, spousal
tours, promotional materials, and more.

Service is just the beginning. "The city that feels like a village" heightens the experience for meeting planners and their delegates by offering superior accessibility, celebrity-driven restaurants, chic entertainment areas, and an array of culture.

This sophisticated haven, situated nine miles north of downtown Los Angeles, is within close proximity of two airports. Unbeatable airfares are available from the seven major carriers that service Bob Hope/Burbank Airport, including JetBlue. The easily accessible airport is located 15 minutes from downtown Pasadena, while Los Angeles International Airport is within a 30-minute drive.

Adding to the appeal, the Gold Line commuter rail system is now rolling through Pasadena. With six stations, including two in Old Pasadena, delegates can hop aboard and arrive in downtown Los Angeles within minutes to explore the sights.

At the city's heart lies the Pasadena Conference Center. The 28,000-square-foot Conference Building offers 20 meeting rooms, while the Exhibition Building features 32,000 square feet of carpeted, unobstructed exhibit space. The renowned 3,000-seat Pasadena Civic Auditorium is ideal for general sessions.

Once in Pasadena, delegates can walk from their hotels to the Pasadena Conference Center and two entertainment districts. Old Pasadena is one of Southern California's hottest shopping and dining areas.

Spanning 22 blocks, this historical area features 200 trendy boutiques, specialty retailers, galleries, restaurants, and clubs. Located directly across from the Pasadena Conference Center, Paseo Colorado is a three-block open-air urban village. With 65 street-front retailers, eight restaurants, and lush pedestrian promenades, this area is ideal for enjoying Pasadena's temperate evenings.

With 2,500 hotel rooms, accommodations are plentiful. Three of the cities five major hotels recently completed multi-million-dollar renovations. These include the historical 392-room Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel & Spa, the 350-room Westin Pasadena, and the 296-room Hilton Pasadena. The 317-room Sheraton Pasadena is located directly adjacent to the Pasadena Conference Center, and the 314-room Old Pasadena Courtyard by Marriott features Craftsman-inspired d?cor.

When business is complete and it?s time to play, Pasadena offers a host of leisure activities. Play a round of golf, see a sporting event at the world-famous Rose Bowl, or browse through hundreds of shops. With the CVB's Preferred Visitor Card, convention delegates will enjoy special discounts at more than 70 of Pasadena?s finest restaurants, retailers, museums and entertainment venues.

Speaking of museums, guests can spend some time with Van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt, and Degas at the Norton Simon Museum or go back in time to the awe-inspiring Arts & Crafts period at the historical Gamble House. Walking shoes are definitely in order at the 207-acre Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, which features more than four million items. Visitors will marvel at an original Gutenberg Bible, Ellesmere's manuscript of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and the famed Pinkie and Blue Boy paintings. Sixteen gardens, including a Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, Desert Garden, and the all-new Children?s Garden, round out the experience.

After dark, the village takes on a whole new flavor. As the birthplace of Julia Child, Pasadena is home to 500 of California's finest restaurants. After dinner, dance the night away at a trendy club, listen to some soothing jazz, or take in a play.

The Pasadena CVB offers free assistance to meeting planners using the Pasadena Conference Center and/or local hotels.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
call (800) 307-7977 or visit www.PasadenaCal.com.
Space: Approx. 25,000 sq ft

ConventionCenterSpecs
Pasadena Conference Center
Exhibition Building
Exhibition Hall 32,000 sq ft
Conference Building
Conference Space 28,000 sq ft
Total Meeting Rooms 20
Civic Auditorium 3,000 seats

HotelSpecs
The Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel & Spa
Total Meeting Space 33,000 sq ft
Largest Meeting Room 11,220 sq ft
Total Meeting Rooms 17
Guest Rooms 392

Westin Pasadena
Total Meeting Space 26,000 sq ft
Largest Meeting Room 5,568 sq ft
Total Meeting Rooms 20
Guest Rooms 350

Hilton Pasadena
Total Meeting Space 28,019 sq ft
Largest Meeting Room 7,600 sq ft
Total Meeting Rooms 18
Guest Rooms 296

Sheraton Pasadena Hotel
Total Meeting Space 12,000 sq ft
Largest Meeting Room 5,054 sq ft
Total Meeting Rooms 14
Guest Rooms 317

Old Pasadena Courtyard by Marriott
Total Meeting Space 5,800 sq ft
Largest Meeting Room 1,856 sq ft
Total Meeting Rooms 9
Guest Rooms 314

PASADENA CONFERENCE CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

• The Center is comprised of three distinct, adjoining meeting venues.
• The Exhibition Building offers 32,000 square feet of exhibition space.
• The 28,000-square-foot Conference Building features 20 meeting rooms.
• The 3,000-seat Pasadena Civic Auditorium is ideal for general sessions.

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

• Pasadena offers 2,500 guest rooms.
• Major hotels include: The 392-room Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel & Spa; The 350-room Westin Pasadena; The 296-room Hilton Pasadena; The 317-room Sheraton Pasadena Hotel; The 314-room Old Pasadena Courtyard by Marriott.
• Four of these hotels (Westin, Hilton, Sheraton, and Courtyard by Marriott) are within walking distance of the Pasadena Conference Center.
• Nearby attractions, accessible on foot from the four hotels, include the 22-block Old Pasadena historical area with 200 shops, restaurants, galleries and clubs; the shops and restaurants of Paseo Colorado; Norton Simon Museum; Pacific Asia Museum; and Pasadena Museum of California Art.

Salt Palace Convention Center & Nearby Hotels

Where Urban Amenities Meet Mountain Adventures

Location, location, location. The mantra of business success may well become the mantra of visitors who consider the unparalleled convenience and delights of traveling to Salt Lake City. The fact is, Utah's friendly, tree-lined capital is one of the few destinations in the United States where a cosmopolitan city sits just a heartbeat away from true wilderness - where it is entirely possible to savor a four-star meal with fine wines and claim a moose sighting in the same evening. And, half of the U.S. population lives within a two- and-a-half-hour flight of this wonderland. As Delta's western hub, the Salt Lake International Airport services nearly 1,000 daily flights, with non-stop service to 92 cities. With a drive time of less than 10 minutes from the airport to a dazzling new downtown, this destination is as alluring as they come, for business and for pleasure.

Literally at the foot of the towering peaks of the Wasatch Mountains, the city beckons with intriguing dining and shopping options, along with a rich cultural mix. Salt Lake has come into its own with a "great chef migration" resulting in numerous restaurants (and their award-winning wine lists) that have recently been featured in national food and travel magazines. Throughout the city, in the downtown area, and in historic neighborhoods, the shopping is superb - at major chains, fashionable boutiques, and quality art galleries. As for day spas, Salt Lake is right in step with the trend across the country. Hundreds of trained masseuses and aestheticians stand ready to pamper one and all in some very snazzy environments.

Nightlife and entertainment abound in the downtown area. Consider the Utah Symphony and Opera, Ballet West, or frequent music festivals and national tours, featuring everything from jazz to bluegrass. The Depot, the city's newest hot spot, occupies 37,000 square feet on three levels of the historic Union Pacific train depot at the downtown Gateway Center. Here, you'll discover a dazzling restaurant, huge bar, and a rotating lineup of live music.

Salt Lake City's award-winning hotels offer superb service and style - and most in the downtown area have access to the city's new and ever-expanding TRAX light rail line. In 2005, The Grand America Hotel, Salt Lake?s gorgeous version of the Ritz - complete with acres of marble and Murano glass chandeliers - again received the coveted Five Diamond Award from the American Automobile Association (AAA). Other Salt Lake convention hotels, including the Marriott Downtown, Marriott City Center, Salt Lake Hilton, Little America Hotel, Salt Lake Sheraton, and Hotel Monaco, have also been singled out and are sparkling with new diamonds, stars, and customer satisfaction awards.

Salt Lake's stellar performance in hosting the world for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, and the fact that seven major ski resorts lie within a half hour from the city center, only boost the city's appeal. With four distinct seasons and easy access, Salt Lake's peaks, rivers, lakes, and resorts are also rated tops for rock climbing, fly fishing, hiking, biking, and golf.

Meeting planners will be pleased to learn that the Salt Palace Convention Center's ambitious expansion is slated for completion in July and will result in a total of 685,000 square feet of space and the capacity to comfortably host groups of 20,000 or more. The building will also be able to host two large conventions simultaneously.

Recently, an $80 million new public library designed by internationally renowned architect Moshie Safdie has changed the city's skyline just four blocks away, and the $300 million Gateway shopping and entertainment district has transformed the scene to the west of downtown, just one block from the expansion. Across the street from the Salt Palace, two major shopping centers are in the midst of a $500 million downtown renovation project scheduled for completion in late 2006. All things considered, it?s a good time to consider Salt Lake City.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 541-4955 or (801) 521-2822, or log on to its Web site, www.visitsaltlake.com.

ConventionCenterSpecs
SALT PALACE CONVENTION CENTER
CURRENT
Total Meeting and Exhibit Space 370,000 sq ft
Ballroom 45,000 sq ft
AS OF JULY 2006
Total Event Space 685,000 sq ft
Total Contiguous Exhibit Space 515,000 sq ft
Total Meeting Space 125,000 sq ft
Ballroom 45,000 sq ft

CONVENTION CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

• Currently, the Salt Palace Convention Center features more than 370,000 square feet of exhibit space with 53 rooms, including a 45,000-square-foot, hotel-quality ballroom.
• An expansion of the Salt Palace Convention Center will increase its size to 685,000 square feet of space, including 515,000 feet of contiguous exhibit space, 125,000 square feet
  of meeting space, and a 45,000-square-foot, hotel-quality ballroom. The project is slated for completion in July of 2006.

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS

• Salt Lake's downtown area offers over 7,000 hotel rooms in a compact setting. All have easy access to TRAX, the city?s light rail line.
• There are approximately 17,000 hotel rooms citywide.

San Jose

Silicon Valley's Single Largest Meeting Site Offers Seamless Connectivity

Unlike other "connection" properties that are not actually connected, San Jose One Connection is seamless in every sense. The San Jose Marriott and Hilton San Jose are physically connected to the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, with shared walls on two levels. There are no sky bridges over streets or tunnels underground. Equally seamless is San Jose One Connection's service. Planners enjoy contact with one event manager, plus one proposal, one convention resume, and one facility-wide accounting system. And now planners will earn both Marriott Rewarding Events and Hilton HHonors points on the total spend.

The San Jose One Connection is located in downtown San Jose, the global crossroad of high-tech movers and shakers, offering a world-class meeting venue for groups that require up to 800 guest rooms and want the latest in meeting and presentation technology. San Jose One Connection?s hotels are connected to the convention center on both street and exhibit/meeting space levels, with supporting breakout space in each facility on the same level.

"We offer a unique meeting solution in Silicon Valley" said John Southwell, general manager at the Hilton San Jose. "With our spacious, flexible meeting and exhibit space, exceptional catering services, and two upscale hotels, planners have so many options - all literally under one roof!"

The San Jose One Connection has 143,000 square feet of exhibit space and 70,000 square feet of contiguous meeting space, as well as 1,000 covered parking spaces and one high-speed Internet network. Leif Lendrop, director of sales and marketing for the San Jose Marriott, is enthusiastic about San Jose One Connection?s state-of-the-art communications network. "This is Silicon Valley," he said.
"Whatever our clients want for presentations and communications, we can deliver."
San Jose One Connection's service is as seamless as the facility. ""One" is the key word," said Clif Clark, general manager at the San Jose Marriott. "Planners have the convenience of one proposal, one contract process, and one convention resume. Plus, they?ll have a great time in San Jose."

Directly across the street from San Jose One Connection is the renowned Tech Museum of Innovation and IMAX Theater. Across the park is the San Jose Museum of Art. The heart of San Jose's restaurant, club, and entertainment district is just steps away.

Within three miles of San Jose One Connection are more attractions and great shopping. For an unforgettable outing, visit the world-famous Winchester Mystery House, the beautiful, but bizarre mansion built by the heiress to the Winchester Rifle fortune. And, enjoy the upscale ambiance of Santana Row, San Jose's new high-end retail and dining district.

Access to San Jose One Connection is another advantage. Mineta San Jose International Airport is only three miles from downtown. The valley's extensive Light Rail system runs right past the main entrance.
With more than 300 days of sunshine each year, including mild winters and summers, San Jose is an ideal walking city. What's more, it's America's safest big city.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact the San Jose One Connection at (800) 533-2345.

ConventionCenterSpecs
SAN JOSE MCENERY CONVENTION CENTER
Total Function Space 259,000 sq ft
Total Exhibit Space (divisible by 3) 143,000 sq ft
Exhibit Hall One 43,000 sq ft
Exhibit Hall Two 50,000 sq ft
Exhibit Hall Three 50,00 sq ft
Ballroom (divisible by eight) 22,000 sq ft
Breakout Space 26,625 sq ft
(575 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft)

SAN JOSE ONE CONNECTION HIGHLIGHTS

• San Jose One Connection comprises the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, the Hilton San Jose, and the San Jose Marriott.
• All facilities are seamlessly connected on street, meeting, and underground parking levels.
• San Jose One Connection offers 800 guest rooms on peak nights. This includes 398 double/double guest rooms and 43 suites.
• Groups using San Jose One Connection have access to 70,000 square feet of meeting space, 143,000 square feet of exhibit space, 1,000 covered parking spaces, a single world-class high-speed Internet network, four restaurants, two fitness centers, two pools, and a Starbucks coffee outlet.