ART CREDIT

resort, golf, & spa meetings Puerto Rico Where old meets new

The turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, the sounds of salsa music hanging in the warm trade winds, the centuries of history in Old San Juan, and the lush flora and fauna of the El Yunque Rain Forest — this is what comes to mind when someone mentions Puerto Rico. But for meetings, there’s more to the island than just a beach paradise — the recent launching of the first online destina- tion program, Smooth Meetings University; an English-speaking population; no passport requirements; and the U.S. dollar as the ofi- cial form of currency means that meeting in Puerto Rico won’t just be a popular choice, it will be a smart one. Puerto Rico has emerged as a destina-

tion that is just as modern as it is tropical and historical. Known as the Capital of the Carib- bean, the island offers visitors a cosmopolitan

metropolis filled with fine dining, brand-name shopping, and more than 14,000 hotel rooms that range from economy to luxury. In addi- tion, a state-of-the-art infrastructure with full telecommunication services makes Puerto Rico one of the most advanced telecom mar- kets in Latin America. Having a good time is never a problem in

Puerto Rico. History buffs can visit famous fortresses and architecture dating back to the 15th century. Other popular activities include world-class golfing, zip-lining over palm trees, kayaking the bioluminescent bays, and snor- keling through Caribbean reefs. And when night falls, there’s a whole other world for visitors to explore, from dancing the night away in a multilevel club to sampling local rum from one of the distilleries on the island to trying their luck at a casino.

When it’s time to work, the island is home

to more than 1.3 million square feet of meet- ing space, including the award-winning, SMG- managed Puerto Rico Convention Center. The largest in the Caribbean, the Puerto Rico Convention Center’s 580,000 square feet of space can accommodate groups of up to 10,000. And with a central location in Isla Grande, the center is convenient to Old San Juan, Miramar, and Condado, and just 15 minutes away from the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport and the hotel strip in Isla Verde.

For more information: Puerto Rico Convention Bureau — (800) 875-4765; info@meetpuertorico.com; meetpuertorico.com

Passport to paradise U.S. citizens do not need a passport to travel to and from Puerto Rico, and 2,074 weekly nonstop and direct flights connect visitors from the mainland United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Best of both Old-world charms coupled with modern amenities make Puerto Rico the destination of choice for corporate groups both large and small.

96 PCMA CONVENE JUNE 2013

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