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– ADVERTORIAL – Who'sWho IN CONVENTION BUREAUS NOTES: Visit Charlotte 500 South College Street, Suite 300 Charlotte, NC 28202 (800) 722-1994 Fax: (704) 342-3972 www.charlottesgotalot.com Mike Butts EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR mike.butts@visitcharlotte.com Highlights of Charlotte Look closely at Charlotte and you'll discover a lot. Museums showcasing the world's wonders, dining to suit every craving, and unexpected off-site meeting venues have enriched the landscape here — thanks to recent developments ranging from the NASCAR Hall of Fame to the EpiCentre, a dynamic entertainment destination in Center City, Charlotte's a vibrant hub on the Eastern seaboard. More than 60 percent of the nation's population lives within a two- hour flight of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is just 15 minutes from the Convention Center, making the Queen City an accessible destination and a magnet for growth. Bill McMillan SENIOR DIRECTOR OF SALES bill.mcmillan@visitcharlotte.com Exhibit Facilities The Charlotte Convention Center is a stylish spot to convene with airy, light- filled concourses, 37 meeting rooms and a spacious 35,000-square-foot ballroom with seating for 1,800 in banquet rounds. The Crown Ballroom boasts 40,000 square feet for the Center, accommodating 2,400 banquet-style or 4,706 theater-style, and neighboring the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, 280,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space accommodates up to 1,250 exhibit booths and is divisible into four separate spaces. Hotel Inventory There are over 4,100 hotel rooms within walking distance of the Center and 30,000 citywide. As for the biggest properties adjacent to the facility, the 700-room Westin Charlotte and the Hilton Charlotte Center City flank each side of the Center and brim with meeting space. 66 March 2012 | Who's Who Taxes h 8% hotel occupancy tax h 7.25% sales tax h total of 15.25% Responsibility for Bookings Future dates are booked by the Visit Char- lotte sales team. For market segments of 299 rooms or less on peak, Visit Charlotte's in-house Bureau Express team can assist. Support Services From the initial inquiry to lodging assistance to site visits, Visit Charlotte's knowledgeable staff will ensure that your event's a success from start to finish. Visit Charlotte has access to a vast network of partners, comprised of vendors, hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more, and is always on hand to provide any services you may need. From housing enabled by Passkey® software to promotional collateral that generates attendee excitement to media relations assistance, Visit Charlotte offers a wide array of services to support your event. On the horizon With the 2012 Democratic National Convention just around the corner in September, some new area hotels are finishing construction, while dependable mainstays are set on enhancing their assets. The city's largest hotel, The Westin Charlotte, has recently completed a renovation of its 700 rooms, lobby and meeting space. Meanwhile, the Hyatt Place Charlotte-Uptown is set to join the hotel scene with 172 rooms and a 20th floor rooftop restaurant and bar. Images Courtesy of Visit Charlotte