Port of San Diego Attractions Recognized as 'Best in Class'

Monday, 02 November 2009
Contact: Dale Frost (619) 686-6461

The USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, Hornblower Cruises & Events, North and South Embarcadero Marina Parks and the waterfront San Diego Convention Center were recognized as “Best in Class” by event planners and readers of Southern California Meetings + Events magazine. Results were published in the just-released Fall 2009 issue.

“Being known as the 'best of' in the hospitality industry is a powerful statement,” said Jim Bergeson, President/CEO of Tiger Oak Publications/Meetings & Events Media Group.

The USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, which opened in 2004 along the North Embarcadero, was named the best coastal attraction. Event planners noted that the deck of the historic carrier, which offers a panoramic view of San Diego Bay and downtown, is a spectacular special event venue.

 

Hornblower Cruises & Events was named best in the boats category. For more than 30 years, Hornblower has operated a variety of vessels that cruise San Diego Bay while occasions including weddings and other celebrations occur onboard. Departing from the North Embarcadero, Hornblower also offers regularly scheduled bay tours.

 

The waterfront North and South Embarcadero Marina Parks were recognized as best outdoor venue. Voters noted that the North Embarcadero Marina Park is conveniently located adjacent to Seaport Village. The walkway that connects the parks to the convention center and waterfront hotels was complimented for providing an easy and pleasant way for conventioneers to arrive at special events that are often held in these 11-acre parks.

The 2.6-million square foot San Diego Convention Center was awarded best convention center. Its location on the San Diego bay front, the nearly 526,000 square feet of contiguous ground level space and the 90,000-square-feet of column-free space in the rooftop Sails Pavilion was praised.

The attractions captured first place during the publications’ Readers Choice Best Of Awards competition.

Voters included more than 10,000 event and hospitality professionals that rated attractions located from Santa Barbara to San Diego, and inland to Palm Springs.

For more information on San Diego Bay attractions, restaurants and hotels, visit theBigBay.com.

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