Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1545782
CENTER of ATTENTION M any AfricanAmerican groups, professional asso ciations, and advocacy organizations host numerous highprofile, largescale meetings, conventions, and conferences in major convention and conference centers across the country. These gatherings, ranging from busi ness, technology, education, religion, to fraternal and civic, draw thousands of attendees and pro vide massive economic boosts to their host cities. The newly opened Obama Presidential Center in Chicago's historic Jackson Park appeals to AfricanAmerican groups and meetings by serving as a historic monument to Black excellence, preserving underrepre sented cultural history and creating safe, empowering con vening spaces for groups and organizations, thus, driving tourism and business. MEETINGS AND EVENTS AT THE NEW OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER IN CHICAGO Opened to the public on Juneteenth weekend 2026, in Jackson Park on Chicago's historic South Side, the 19acre campus dedicated to and inspired by the first Black President of the United States is a com pelling new destination for visitors to Chicago. For meeting and event organizers, the Center is fast becoming a major draw for attendees eager to explore the major new attraction. It is truly an "only inChicago "venue that is redefining the traditional Presidential Library experience to reflect that Barack Obama is considered the country's first president of the digital age. It is also fitting as it falls in the middle of the U.S. Semiquincentennial, America's 250th anniversary. The Center showcases both history and progress, while inspir ing future generations to dream big. "Here on the South Side of Chicago, hope is getting a per manent home," President Obama said in a statement. "This is not a monument to the past; it is a living destination for people who refuse to accept the status quo. If you feel that way, this is your invitation to join us." P REMIER MEETING & EVENT VENUES The Forum Building: Acting as the campus hub for public programming, this facility houses multipurpose meeting spaces and six flexible learning rooms. These rooms are structurally adaptable to support groups of varying sizes for corporate strategy sessions, breakout workshops, or neigh borhood club events. The building also features a public win ter garden and a 300seat auditorium designed for large pre sentations and lectures. Home Court: This 45,000 to 60,000 squarefoot athletic and recreation facility combines an NBAregulationsize bas ketball court with flexible meeting spaces and creative stu dios. It is optimized to support youth programming, adult athletic initiatives, and large professional conferences. The Chicago Public Library Branch: Located directly on the campus, this municipal branch includes dedicated public meeting spaces alongside study areas. The rooms seamlessly convert into open seating setups to accommodate public edu cational forums. The Nelson Mandela Sky Room: Located on the 8th floor of the Museum building, this premier space offers panoramic 360degree views of the Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan, and the South Side. It serves as an inspiring back drop for executive boardrooms, highprofile receptions, and immersive programming Booking & Pricing Pricing for event rentals varies depending on the size of the space, room, season, and event type. Discounts: Nonprofits are eligible for a 20% discount on space rentals. Booking: The Foundation reviews rental requests on an ongoing basis. You can review the venue options and sub mit a request directly on https://www.obama.org/presi dentialcenter/hostanevent/ For planning resources and overviews of how these spaces integrate with the broader city, you can read the Choose Chicago Obama Center Meeting Guide. For fur ther inquiries, you can reach out directly to the events team via email at events@obama.org. 34 B M & T ••• July/August 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com BA 250 Special Edition