Black Meetings and Tourism

March / April 2021

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MISSISSIPPI'S SOULFUL MEETINGS A CULTURAL DELIGHT B Y R E G G I E M U R P H Y With attractions including casinos, beaches, lakes, nature trails, golf courses and Civil Rights sites, Mississippi offers exciting venues for any group. Whether your trip is built around business, com- mon hobbies or shared interests, the state of Mississippi has got it all! Just 30 minutes south of Memphis, Tennessee, lay the Mississippi River towns of Tunica and Robinsonville. Here you'll find a string of casinos with bright lights, bustling activities and world- renowned entertainment. The Delta, in the northwest part of the state, is best known as the "Birthplace of the Blues." Cleveland's GRAMMY Museum Mississippi (currently the only GRAMMY Museum in the world outside of Los Angeles) immortalizes the region's (and state's) contributions to the world of music. • • JACKSON • • Discover an authentic setting for your meetings in Jackson, the "City With Soul," that's just the right size. Jackson affords meeting planners the ability to offer your delegates a host of options through the city's rich musical heritage, cultural offerings, and sporting events, not to mention its friendly people and culi- nary charm. A growing number of meet- ing planners looking for state-of-the-art facilities find Jackson full of exceptional service and superb venues while lowering your bottom line. The centerpiece of the city's down- town renaissance is Jackson Convention Complex – a massive facility that show- cases state-of-the-art technology, a 382- seat theater and over 330,000 sq. ft. of prime meeting and exhibit space. At the end of the day, you and your attendees can sleep blissfully in some of Jackson's 4,900 hotel rooms. Jackson's hotels and meeting venues are commit- ted to providing a safe and healthy atmosphere for guests and conference attendees while following CDC recom- mendations and guidelines to combat COVID-19. This effort includes posted signage throughout properties, reminding guests to wear face coverings and practice social distancing. Proper floor markings, conference tables and chairs spaced accordingly and venues operating at a reduced capacity assure the mandated six-foot distance. Planners and their delegates should make sure to explore some of Jackson's rich African-American historical sites and venues. The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum shares the stories of a Mississippi movement that changed the nation. The museum promotes a greater understanding of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement and its impact by high- lighting the strength and sacrifices of its peoples. Visitors will witness the freedom strug- gle in eight interactive galleries that show the systematic oppression of Black Mississippians and their fight for equality that transformed the state and nation. Seven of the galleries encircle a central space called "This Little Light of Mine." There, a dramatic sculpture glows brighter and the music of the Movement swells as visitors gather. Give Visit Jackson President/CEO Ricky Thigpen a call and his team will get right to work providing you with all of the assistance you need to make your meeting a suc- cess. J a c k s o n I n t e r n a t i o n a l Airport is the com- mercial airport serving Jackson. Airlines serving Jackson are American Eagle, Continental, Delta, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines and US Airways Express. • • NATCHEZ • • If you're planning a meeting or working out an itinerary for a group tour, Natchez offers everything you need at affordable prices you'll love. But don't just take our word for it — book a site inspection and let them show you the true meaning of Southern hospitality. Getting in and out of Natchez is easy, whether via a scenic 90-minute drive from Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport to the south (U.S. Route 61 North) or driving in via any of the major roads that connect in Natchez: U.S. Routes 84 and 98 and Mississippi Highway 61 or the Natchez Trace Parkway. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Natchez – (800 647-6724 www.gulfcoast.org B M & T ••• March/April 2020 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 50 AREA GUIDES M I S S I S S I P P I Jackson Convention Complex • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Jackson Marriott-Downtown 303 The Hilton-Jackson Hotel & Convention Center 276 Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel 141 The Westin Jackson 203 Hampton Inn & Suites Jackson Downtown 111 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Jackson Convention Complex Total Exhibit Space: 60,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 25,000 Meeting Rooms: 24 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau (800) 354-7695 www.visitjackson.com Jackson Madison County African American Chamber (JMAAC) (731) 424-2030 Photo Credit: Jackson CVB

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