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LITTLE ROCK Little Rock combines purpose and possibility. Here, your meeting can proceed just steps from the Statehouse Convention Center and connected Little Rock Marriott. Nearby venues like the Robinson Center music hall bring a sense of occasion to gatherings that want both function and atmosphere. Little Rock's transportation platform makes it easy to move between meetings and special social moments. What sets Little Rock apart is how naturally those moments take shape. You can stand in the presence of history at Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, reflect at the Home of Daisy and L.C. Bates (U.S. National Park Service), and deepen the experience at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, where Arkansas's African American narrative incorpo- rates tributes to community, enterprise, and culture. West Ninth Street's legendary Taborian Hall, the last remaining building of the longtime African American econom- ic district, and its revitalized Dreamland Ballroom on the third floor keep the community's legacy alive. HBCU Philander Smith University reinforces the city's long-standing role in African American academic and civic life. And when it's time to eat, see how all that heritage lives on at Certified Pies, with its variety of pizzas, wings and salads. One of Little Rock's most unique cultural offerings is the ESSE Purse Museum, one of only two in the world. It features a permanent exhibit of 20th Century handbags, rotating tempo- rary exhibits, and a gift shop where you'll surely find something you won't see back home. Evenings in the River Market District can include dining, live music, and conversation, while SoMa brings a creative pulse with galleries, murals, and late-night energy. You can reset along the Arkansas River Trail or build in time for Pinnacle Mountain State Park when the schedule allows. In Little Rock, every gathering becomes an experience shaped by history, cul- ture, and the simple pleasure of being together. FLORIDA Florida presents locales where your meeting agenda and your sense of connection can move in step. In Daytona Beach and Tallahassee, the legacy of Bethune-Cookman University and Florida A&M University grounds your experience in sto- ries of leadership, resilience, and cultural pride. In Miami, the streets of Overtown carry echoes of historic music, entrepre- neurship, and community that still shape the city's energy today. Across Orlando and Tampa, world-class convention campuses and walkable waterfronts make it easy to balance business with after-hours exploration, from live music to fami- ly-friendly attractions. Between sessions, Florida's sunlit beaches, palm-lined trails, and coastal air invite you outside. In places like Fort Lauderdale and the Palm Beaches, polished hotels and meeting spaces sit just steps from dining, art, and nightlife. Whether you're planning a conference, reunion, or incentive trip, Florida offers a multi-faceted experience that opens the door to her- itage, celebration, and destinations and possibilities galore. DAYTONA The legacy of Bethune-Cookman University shapes Daytona Beach, where the influence of education pioneer Mary McLeod Bethune is deeply felt, from her preserved home to the surrounding Midtown district. Here, you move through historic sites, campus energy, and local dining that reflect a lived sense of community. Just across the water, meet- ings take place at the Ocean Center, steps from the shore and the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. Evenings can include a performance at the Peabody Auditorium or a relaxed beachfront gathering. FORT LAUDERDALE Fort Lauderdale invites you to explore the city's full rich- ness, beginning with the historic Sistrunk corridor to discover Broward County's African American heritage. The African American Research Library and Cultural Center, a renowned B M & T ••• May/June 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 31 Little Rock Central High National Historic Site Daytona Convention Center FT Lauderdale Hillsboro Beach photo credit: Anthony J Rayburn