Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/16726
BIRMINGHAM, AL Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Birmingham is a city that continues to impress. Dining, shopping, wonderful entertainment, great culture, its peo- ple and its history are part of what makes Birmingham so special. The words “southern charm and hospitality” are often tossed around to describe many cities in the South, but if there were ever a city that lived up to the true meaning of those words, its Birmingham – the warmth and hospitality of its people are infectious. Whether you are planning a meet- ing, a vacation, a family reunion or a combination of all the above you will not leave this city disappointed. Family reunions are big business in Birmingham. To help you get started the Convention and Visitors Bureau has a link on their website to assist. Go to birminghamal.org to get started and of course you can always call them direct at (800) 458- 8085. For attractions check out the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham Zoo, Alabama Adventure Water and Theme Park, Riverchase Galleria Mall and the Talladega Motor Speedway. To follow Birmingham’s Civil Rights history, go to birming- hamal.org and click on the “Civil Rights” link. There you will FORT WORTH When most visitors think about Texas, their mind usually races to Dallas, Houston, Austin or San Antonio. If you find the “Freedom Land Suggested Itinerary.” It’s a great way to visit vir- tually all of the prominent Civil Rights locales within the city from Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to Kelly Ingram Park, the Fourth Avenue Business District and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Birmingham is extremely afford- able for meeting planners on a tight budget. There are numerous venues for gatherings from the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex to the Boutwell Municipal Auditorium. stopped there, then you missed one of the most exciting cities in United States – Fort Worth. Here are some things you should probably know about Fort Kids in playhouse Photo Credit: Birmingham CVB 42 Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com