Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1539265
HOLD YOUR MEETING IMMERSED IN THE RICH HISTORY OF OUR FIGHT FOR EQUALITY BY TARIQ RHODES Alabama stands where Civil Rights, commerce, and cultural renaissance inter- sect. With a transportation infrastructure that moves freight and futures, a robust higher education network, and cities rich in Black heritage, Alabama is a Southern powerhouse for meetings, events, and entrepreneurial exchange. Whether you're organizing a large convention or a niche retreat, Alabama's cities offer event venues that are as strategic as they are storied. From Selma's iconic bridges to Tuskegee's legacy of brilliance, Alabama's meeting destinations speak fluently in both industry and identity. With easy air access and warm community partner- ships, the state welcomes planners ready to do more than gather. • • BIRMINGHAM • • Once a crucible of civil unrest, Birmingham has transformed into a mod- ern Southern metropolis while honoring its legacy. The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex anchors the city's meetings infrastructure, with over 220,000 square feet of exhibit space and a 19,000-seat Legacy Arena. Nearby, the historic 16th Street Baptist Church and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute offer poignant venues for receptions or tours, allowing attendees to connect with histo- ry in real time. The Uptown District pulses with ener- gy, featuring Black-owned eateries and luxe accommodations like the Elyton Hotel, a Marriott Autograph Collection property housed in a restored 1909 bank. For smaller events, venues like The Harbert Center or the Negro Southern League Museum provide dynamic settings that reflect the city's rich sports and social history. Just a few blocks west, the historic 4th Avenue Business District continues to flourish as a corridor of Black entrepre- neurship. Studio 2500, an art gallery owned by acclaimed local artist Willie Williams, offers intimate rental space sur- rounded by original works that trace Alabama's visual narrative. Carver Theater, home of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, has reopened after major renovations and now features flexible event seating, advanced acoustics, and exhibit halls that chronicle the evolution of jazz through a distinctly Southern lens. Organizations planning culturally immersive off-sites will also find the Birmingham Museum of Art receptive to custom programs highlight- ing Black artists in the South. Visitors can also explore the newly updated Civil Rights Trail, a walkable path that connects essential landmarks with QR-based interpretation and curated audio storytelling. Groups seeking out- door programming can reserve Kelly Ingram Park for curated moments of reflection. For larger gatherings, the newly expanded Protective Stadium, home to the UAB Blazers, can host every- thing from sports tourism events to award ceremonies. Many meeting professionals also turn to the A.G. Gaston Conference Center, a legacy-rich venue inspired by the famed Black entrepreneur, which includes flexible rooms, catering services, and walkable proximity to historic sites. Within this core radius, attendees are also just minutes away from jazz clubs, community co-working spaces, and several minority- owned restaurants that double as event venues. Venues like these don't perform histo- ry. They invite participants to encounter it firsthand, through tangible heritage and contemporary relevance. Many visiting organizations also partner with the city's legacy-driven associations, such as the Magic City Bar Association or the Birmingham Association of Black Journalists, to integrate local voices into their programs. Planners con- templating bringing a conference to Birmingham should reach out to Senior Vice President of Convention Sales Mike Gunn at the CVB. He and his team will provide you all the support 52 B M & T ••• September/October 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Birmingham Exhibit Hall AREA GUIDES A L A B A M A • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Birmingham Marriott 302 Hilton Birmingham at UAB 295 The Westin Birmingham 294 EXHIBITION FACILITIES The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Total Meeting Space 350,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 220,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 47,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 65 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Greater Birmingham CVB (800) 458-8085 www.inbirmingham.com photo credit: G.B.CVB