Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1545782
B M & T ••• July/August 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 22 k Alexandria k Alexandria gives your executive meeting or board strategy session a setting built around intima- cy, ambience, and the feeling that every part of the destination participates in the experience. Along the Potomac River, attendees step out meetings into a city of flickering waterfront lights, historic row- houses, hidden courtyards, jazz-era stories, and friendly meals that turn professional connections into genuine conversation. In Old Town, the meeting doesn't stop when the ballroom doors open. It expands naturally onto King Street, where galleries, boutiques, and more than 200 independent restaurants create a walkable itinerary. Bike rides toward Mount Vernon create opportunity to recharge between sessions without disconnecting. Your morning sessions at The Westin Alexandria Old Town or the sleek, design-forward Hotel AKA Alexandria can give way to afternoon Black heritage tours, waterfront cocktail receptions, or carry over into intimate dinners at Ada's on the River, where the glow of the Potomac becomes part of the evening's spirit. Nearby, Chart House frames private gatherings against river views and the Washington skyline, giving receptions and closing dinners a polished but relaxed tone. Alexandria's profound cultural depth strikes a chord that many destinations simply can't match. Experiences at the Alexandria Black History Museum, Freedom House Museum, and along the African American Heritage Trail engage attendees with stories of resilience, leadership, and legacy in lasting ways. Discussions often continue long after the tour ends, unfolding over cocktails, waterfront walks, and late-night get-togethers back on King Street. In Alexandria your meeting doesn't rush, it breezes. For more information contact Visit Alexandria – (703) 838-5005 or www.visitalexandria.com. The Westin Alexandria Old Town Hotel I n Virginia, meetings flow naturally. Your day might begin beside the soft rush of Atlantic waves, along brick-lined streets scented with coffee and sea air, or beneath the quiet beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. By evening, conversations spill from conference rooms into candlelit restaurants, rooftop lounges, waterfront patios, live music venues, and walks through neighborhoods where history and modern culture meet at every corner. In Virginia, gatherings feel both productive and personal. The state's coastal cities, vibrant downtowns, historic communities, and scenic landscapes create space for meaningful interaction planners hope for but can't always script. Here, attendees experience fresh Chesapeake seafood, gallery strolls after sessions, sunset cruises, vineyard tastings, and powerful explorations of Black history and culture throughout the state. Whether your group is seeking waterfront relaxation, cultural depth, culinary discovery, or creative inspiration, Virginia invites attendees to slow down just enough to truly connect with the destination and each other. photo credit: Adedayo Dayo Kosoko V I R G I N I A S P E C I A L S E C T I O N L O O K I N G T O H O S T A M E E T I N G T H A T F E E L S S O P H I S T I C A T E D YET FEEDS THE SOUL? LOOK NO FURTHER, V I R G I N I A I S T H E P L A C E F O R Y O U !