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22 B M & T ••• July/August 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com MOBILE Mobile carries the soul of the Gulf Coast with the infra- structure of a ready-made meeting city. Its crown jewel for planners, the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center, delivers over 300,000 square feet of functional space overlooking the Mobile River. The facility features a 100,000 square foot exhibit hall, a 15,000 square foot ball- room, and 18 breakout rooms. Its column-free halls, natu- ral light, and direct loading docks offer practical design, while the attached skywalk connects directly to the down- town hotel corridor. On-site event staff are available to support floor planning, audiovisual needs, and registration flow, with additional assistance from the city's convention services team. Exceptional lodging is just steps away. The Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel, connected by skywalk, offers over 40,000 square feet of meeting space and more than 370 guest rooms with waterfront views. Across the street, the Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa combines Southern grandeur with business-ready flexibility, featuring a historic lobby, rooftop pool, full-service spa, and 27,000 square feet of event space. Additional accommodations within walking dis- tance include the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown and Holiday Inn Mobile-Dwtn/Hist. District, which collectively sup- Monroe and its associated visitor center provide additional opportunities to expand heritage programming with guided excursions and panel discussions. After meetings, attendees can enjoy the Virginia Air & Space Science Center, waterfront dining at Buckroe Beach, or shopping in the Peninsula Town Center. Several Black-owned eateries, including Mango Mangeaux and Pour Girls Coffee, offer ideal spaces for smaller group outings, staff lunches, or vendor meetups. WHO YOU GONNA CALL Visit Hampton – (757) 722- 1222 visithampton.com/meetings JACKSONVILLE, FL Jacksonville combines coastal access, urban scale, and a deep cultural footprint, offering meeting professionals a range of strategic advantages. The city's primary event hub, the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, features 78,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, a 22,000 square foot ballroom, and 33 meeting rooms housed inside a converted railroad terminal. Its vaulted ceilings, grand windows, and his- toric architecture provide character, while modern technolo- gy and full-service logistics make it functional for groups of all sizes. The facility also includes built-in registration zones and on-site catering, making it easy to centralize operations. The convention center is within minutes of several key hotels. The Southbank Hotel at Jacksonville Riverwalk pro- vides over 12,000 square feet of meeting space and 300 rooms along the St. Johns River. Just across the bridge, the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront stands out with over 116,000 square feet of total event space, flexible floorplans, multiple ballrooms, and more than 950 guest rooms, making it one of the city's largest full-service options. Planners can also consider the Marriott Jacksonville Downtown and DoubleTree Riverfront, both of which offer reliable group accommodations near the business core, with upgraded amenities and customizable room blocks for conferences. Several properties offer waterfront views, fitness centers, and in-room workspace ideal for hybrid attendees. Jacksonville International Airport is located approximately 20 minutes north of downtown, with direct access to major cities, reliable ground transport, and fast check-in procedures. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority supports local movement through trolleys, water taxis, and Skyway trains, making intra-city navigation simple for attendees. The St. Johns Riverwalk, which connects several hotels and entertain- ment venues, also allows groups to move easily between ses- sions and social hours. For planners hosting off-site events, the city offers motorcoach services and support staff through its tourism bureau. After meetings, Jacksonville's African-American heritage comes into clear view. The Ritz Theatre and Museum honors more than a century of Black artistic and civic life in the his- toric LaVilla neighborhood, once known as the "Harlem of the South." The Clara White Mission, founded by former vaudeville performer Eartha M. M. White, stands as both a historic site and an active community institution. Additional cultural stops include the Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Park, which commemorates the Johnson brothers, Jacksonville natives who composed the Black national anthem. Dining options are equally diverse. From the Southern fla- vors of Soul Food Bistro to upscale riverside dining at Black Sheep or Chart House, planners will find venues for every- thing from intimate client dinners to large-group receptions. For beach-bound free time, the Jacksonville Beaches district offers thirty-plus miles of shoreline just east of downtown, easily accessible via shuttle or rideshare. WHO YOU GONNA CALL Visit Jacksonville – (800) 733-2668 visitjacksonville.com/meetings Jacksonville's Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center