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site options include visits to the Oxon Hill Manor and historic African American cultural tours available along the Potomac. Reach out to President/CEO Leslie Graves and her team at Experience Prince George's to get all the assistance you need to make your event a success thee. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Experience Prince George's (301) 925-8300 www.experienceprincegeorges.com • • ANNAPOLIS • • Annapolis carries itself with mar- itime poise and political gravity. As the capital of Maryland and home to the United States Naval Academy, it com- bines ceremony, waterfront elegance, and accessible meeting venues in a walkable historic setting. The Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, offers 8,000 square feet of meeting space with panoramic Chesapeake Bay views, and the Graduate Annapolis provides over 20,000 square feet of flexible event space infused with collegiate charm. Both venues support themed receptions featuring local oysters and craft spirits from Maryland distilleries. For mid-size conferences, The Westin Annapolis is a prime selection with a 6,300 square foot grand ball- room and tech-integrated breakout rooms. The city's compact grid allows attendees to transition easily between venues, restaurants, and cultural excur- sions. Planners can integrate visits to the Banneker-Douglass Museum, Maryland's official African American heritage museum, or coordinate private receptions at the Hammond-Harwood House, a preserved 1774 mansion with architectural ties to early Black artisans. Cultural components can include tradi- tional African drumming performances and curated dialogues led by local com- munity historians. Leisure activities abound. Sailing charters, culinary crawls, and water- front yoga sessions offer post-meeting decompression. Nearby Evelyn's, a Black woman-owned brunch spot, is ideal for relaxed team breakfasts or closing meals. The city's historic churches, brick-lined alleys, and harbor walkways create a textured, inspiring environment for reflection and collab- oration. Organizers can also arrange guided bicycle tours of Annapolis's maritime heritage and visits to the nearby Chesapeake Culinary Trail that emphasize farm to table partnerships. Annapolis brings sophistication in great measure. Its venues are purpose- ful, its pace focused, and its story rooted in the leadership of Black Marylanders who shaped civic life even before emancipation. For execu- tive retreats or small-scale summits with big intentions, Annapolis offers a setting where presence feels powerful. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Annapolis – (410) 280-0445 www.visitannapolis.org B M & T ••• July/August 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 43 AREA GUIDES Main Street in Annapolis, Maryland, USA photo credit: Sean Pavone •••••••••••••• • •••••••••••••