Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1539265
What was once a seasonal destination has grown into a year-round contender for group travel. Black meeting profes- sionals will find a welcoming infrastruc- ture and a rising interest in inclusive tourism. Myrtle Beach today is more than a shoreline, it's a planning partner for organizations looking to combine coastal ease with cultural depth. • • CHARESTON • • Not every city was built for meetings, but Charleston has never lived outside his- tory. Here, the past stays visible, not for nostalgia, but for context. From its historic port to its polished ballrooms, Charleston's venues are lay- ered with meaning. The Gaillard Center, once a civic landmark, now hosts galas, conferences, and leadership summits beneath soaring chandeliers and curated local art. For those seeking outdoor ele- gance, the Historic Rice Mill and Lowndes Grove offer riverfront grandeur. Venues that once excluded many now open for purposeful reconvening. Cultural heritage isn't a side note here. It's integrated into the itinerary. Meeting planners working with institutions like the International African American Museum can incorporate private tours, speaker series, and curated workshops into their programming. Just blocks away, the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture provides insight into Charleston's role in shaping Black intellec- tual and civic movements. Lodging options speak to both sophis- tication and breadth. Boutique hotels like The Dewberry and Hotel Bennett offer rooftop terraces and boardroom suites, while major properties like the Charleston Place ensure expansive event capabilities in the heart of the historic district. Newer accommodations like the Moxy Charleston Downtown appeal to younger professionals, often booking musical tal- ent and live DJ sets that attract culturally engaged groups. Culinary experiences center Black- owned gems like Hannibal's Kitchen and Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ, both open as of August 2025. They offer soul food staples like crab rice, shrimp and grits, pulled pork barbecue and banana pudding. Walking food tours and cultural excursions add context and character between sessions. Planning partnerships with local historians and tour operators allow groups to step outside the ballroom and into the living narrative of the city. To gather in Charleston is to enter a dialogue with its streets, its past, and the people still shaping both WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Meet Charleston – (800) 774-000 6 www.meetcharleston.com • • COLUMBIA • • As South Carolina's capital and the nexus of several HBCUs, Columbia is where policy, pedagogy, and purpose intersect. Here, intellectual rigor meets legislative access, making it an optimal stage for gatherings that seek more than visibility, they seek influence. The Columbia Metropolitan Convent- ion Center anchors the Vista entertain- ment district with 142,500 square feet of adaptable space surrounded by galleries, nightlife, and award-winning dining. Nearby, 701 Whaley provides industrial sophistication for offsite events, while the University of South Carolina extends aca- demic capital, offering access to cultural archives, keynote talent, and breakout venues rooted in scholarship. Groups with a legislative focus benefit from Columbia's proximity to lawmakers, advocacy institutions, and civic infrastruc- ture. Black-owned hospitality partners such as The Gourmet Shop and Kiki's Chicken and Waffles provide catered menus that speak to both flavor and her- itage. Nearby attractions like the South Carolina State Museum and Riverbanks Botanical Garden offer pre- or post-con- ference excursions that deepen the expe- rience. Hotel Trundle, The Graduate Colum- bia, and the Hilton Columbia Center offer modern stays within walking dis- tance of state offices and cultural sites. Whether your agenda includes a policy forum or a leadership summit, Columbia delivers relevance, access, and the tools to shape tomorrow's decisions from today's podiums. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Experience Columbia SC – (803) 545-0000 www.experiencecolumbiasc.com B M & T ••• September/October 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 57 AREA GUIDES Charleston Beach Golf Resorts