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B M & T ••• July/August 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 23 k Arlington k In Arlington, your attendees move like insiders from the moment they land. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport sits minutes from National Landing and Crystal City, and Metro sta- tions run throughout the destination. Instead of spending the day in transit, your group flows natu- rally between sessions, rooftop conversations, neighborhood dinners and waterfront wellness breaks with the Potomac always somewhere nearby. Arlington gives you proximity to Washington, DC without the hassle of actually being in the District. Neighborhoods here feel distinct and walk- able, not overwhelming. Large gatherings settle comfortably into properties like the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport or Crystal Gateway Marriott. Flexible meeting space and easy airport access give a respite to planners with layered agendas and tight schedules. But Arlington's real strength is emotional pacing. A leadership summit can begin with polished ballroom sessions, transition into an afternoon Black Heritage Tour exploring the legacy of Nauck/Green Valley and Freedman's Village, then loosen into cocktails and conversation in Clarendon or Ballston easily. Signature Theatre in Shirlington turns an evening reception into a varied and memorable event. Local restaurants and gathering spots like Buena Vida Gastrolounge and Ballston Local create relaxed environments for networking and sociable conversations. And when your group needs a reset, the Mount Vernon Trail delivers. Morning walks along the Potomac, bike outings near Theodore Roosevelt Island or a quiet wellness break between sessions help the destination feel grounded rather than transac- tional. Arlington understands rhythm: efficient enough for serious meetings and textured enough to let people feel grounded. For more information contact Stay Arlington – (800) 677-6267 or www.stayarlington.com. Arlington Convention Center k H a m p t o n k Your meeting can carry weight but never feel heavy in Hampton. It moves at a distinct pace: waterfront mornings, convention-scale sessions, enduring heritage experiences, and evenings that develop naturally between harbor views, live music, and neighborhood dining. The Hampton Roads Convention Center's 344,000 sq. ft. gives planners room to think big, whether the agenda calls for a multi-track confer- ence, expo, leadership summit, or large faith-based gathering. Connected directly to Embassy Suites by Hilton Hampton Convention Center by covered walkway, the campus moves attendees smoothly between sleeping rooms, sessions, receptions, and downtime. Nearby, the Hampton Coliseum expands the possibilities, allowing major assemblies, performances, competitions, and energetic open- ing-night experiences. In Hampton, Black history is part of the landscape. You could begin with a waterfront welcome reception, continue through sessions at the convention center, then shift into an afternoon at Fort Monroe or beneath Emancipation Oak at Hampton University and make conversations about leadership, freedom, education, and legacy personal and immediate. The Hampton University Museum and the city's broader 400 Years Forward story can also help your meeting embrace cultural meaning. V I R G I N I A S P E C I A L S E C T I O N Hampton HRCC