Meeting News - April 21, 2008 - (Page 23)

convention center showcase Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center california Long Beach’s dynamic revitalization and residential boom has attracted a world-class collection of convention facilities, accommodations, fine dining, and entertainment. While the boardwalk-lined, white-sand beaches are still the main attraction, Long Beach has developed its music, theater, arts, nightlife, and culture scenes, and now offers a playhouse, symphony, opera, annual jazz festival, and various museums to complement its fishing, whale-watching, and other ocean sports and activities. CONVENTION CENTER In the heart of a thriving oceanfront downtown, the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center is a spectacular multipurpose complex located on the Pacific Ocean, one of the few waterfront facilities in the country. The center features more than 300,000 square feet of flexible exhibit and meeting space, including 224,000 contiguous square feet of exhibit space that can be divided into three exhibit halls, three ballrooms, 34 meeting rooms, two theatres, and a 13,500-seat arena. The magnificent glass concourse and lobby offer expansive views of the scenic harbor and downtown skyline. A pedestrian promenade conveniently links hotels, shops, restaurants, and attractions to the Pacific Ocean. ACCOMMODATIONS Long Beach offers a dazzling selection of new and recently renovated rooms. Every major downtown and airport hotel is virtually brand new thanks to recent renovations totaling $65 million. More than 5,000 rooms are offered citywide, most within walking distance of entertainment, dining, shopping, and conference facilities. Major brands with properties in Long Beach include Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt Regency, Westin, and Doubletree. DINING There are now more than 100 restaurants in an eight block radius of the downtown area, with the addition of more than 40 new restaurants adjacent to the convention center. Pine SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Avenue, considered Long Beach’s “restaurant row,” offers a diverse selection of dining choices, from casual sidewalk cafes to elegant restaurants. Visitors can enjoy everything from flamenco shows to opera and jazz singers. The Pike at Rainbow Harbor is a 300,000-square-foot retail and entertainment destination located on the waterfront. Visitors can enjoy cocktails while overlooking the picturesque harbor, as well as trendy retail shops and restaurants. The Pike also features a 14-screen theater venue and GameWorks, a 40,000-square-foot entertainment zone. RECREATION The most-recognized attraction in Long Beach is the historic Queen Mary, one of the world’s most luxurious ships. The ocean liner features a 365-stateroom hotel, historical tours, and several fine-dining restaurants. The Aquarium of the Pacific is home to more than 12,500 inhabitants of the Pacific Ocean. It has numerous areas where visitors can touch creatures, such as sharks and starfish. The Long Beach Museum of Art features a 1912 Craftsman mansion perched atop picturesque Bluff Park. The Museum of Latin American Art is the only museum in the western U.S. that presents cutting-edge artists from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Spanishspeaking Caribbean. Long Beach’s 5.5 miles of sandy beaches and pleasant climate make it the ultimate yearround playground for outdoor activity. Attendees can experience a variety of watersports such as kayaking, sailing, waterskiing, and scuba diving. Everything from rollerblades to wetsuits, jet-skis to windsurfing equipment can be rented along the beach. Day and night harbor cruises also are available. ACCESS Major freeways and thoroughfares connect the surrounding 16.5 million-resident metro area to Long Beach. Three airports provide easy access: LAX, a 30minute drive, Orange County’s John Wayne Airport (SNA), 40 minutes away, and the Long Beach Airport (LGB), 10 minutes from downtown. CONTACT Steve Goodling, President & CEO Long Beach CVB (562) 495-8350 Fax: (562) 435-5653 E-mail: steveg@longbeachcvb.org www.visitlongbeach.com The beach is just the beginning in this West Coast meetings favorite. STAT CHECK LONG BEACH CONVENTION & ENTERTAINMENT CENTER Total Exhibit Space: 300,000 sf Largest Ballroom: 20,456 sf Meeting Rooms: 34 Largest Banquet: 1,200 Parking Spaces: 4,500 April 21, 2008 23 http://www.visitlongbeach.com

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Meeting News - April 21, 2008

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