Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1545782
programming with easy access to beaches and coastal attractions. Supporting the convention center is an impressive collection of resort hotels. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino features approximately 1,740 guest rooms and more than 50,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, includ- ing a ballroom of roughly 17,000 sq. ft.. IP Casino Resort Spa offers more than 1,000 guest rooms and approximately 70,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, mak- ing it one of the region's largest conference hotels. Additional options include Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi, with approximately 23,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, along with Golden Nugget Biloxi and Palace Casino Resort, both of which provide additional capacity for citywide programs and executive gather- ings. For memorable offsite experiences, Biloxi offers several distinctive venues. The Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, with its striking waterfront architecture, cre- ates a sophisticated backdrop for receptions and cul- tural programming. The Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum provides a uniquely Gulf Coast set- ting that highlights the region's maritime heritage, while private Biloxi Schooner excursions and sunset cruises allow groups to experience the waterfront firsthand. MGM Park and Jones Park offer additional options for outdoor events, entertainment, and com- munity-focused gatherings. The Mississippi Gulf Coast African American Historical Society preserves the history and contribu- tions of Black communities throughout the region. Planners can also incorporate discussions of the Biloxi Wade-Ins, the landmark civil rights demonstra- tions that challenged segregation on Mississippi beaches and helped expand public access to the Gulf Coast waterfront. Additional attractions include the Biloxi Lighthouse, Biloxi Visitors Center, and nearby cultural sites throughout Coastal Mississippi. After sessions conclude, net- working naturally shifts to desti- nations like Mary Mahoney's Old French House, Half Shell Oyster House, The Reef, and Juicy Seafood Biloxi, a Black-owned favorite. Evening gatherings can take place across casino lounges, waterfront bars, live music ven- ues, and Biloxi's entertainment districts. In Biloxi, business and leisure don't compete for atten- tion, they share the same stretch of shoreline. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Coastal Mississippi 228-896-6699 www.coastalmississippi.com OAKLAND, CA Few American cities have shaped culture, activism, music, and social change quite like Oakland. Best known as the birthplace of the Black Panther Party, Oakland combines a powerful legacy of Black leader- ship with the creative energy, diversity, and entrepre- neurial spirit that continue to define the city today. For meeting planners, it offers something increasing- ly valuable: a destination with a strong sense of iden- tity and a story attendees can genuinely connect with. Located on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, Oakland provides easy access through Oakland International Airport, BART public transportation, Amtrak, and ferry service, while offering a distinctly different experience from neighboring San Francisco. The city's meeting infrastructure is anchored by the Oakland Convention Center, which features approxi- mately 64,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, including exhibit halls, ballroom facilities, and break- out rooms suitable for conferences, association meet- ings, and corporate gatherings. Adjacent to the convention center, the Oakland Marriott City Center serves as the city's primary con- vention hotel, offering approximately 500 guest rooms and more than 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Additional accommodations include Courtyard by Marriott Oakland Downtown, AC Hotel Oakland Downtown, Kissel Uptown Oakland, Moxy Oakland Uptown, Waterfront Hotel in Jack London Square, and Executive Inn & Suites Embarcadero Cove. Together, they provide a range of options for groups seeking both convenience and character. Oakland excels when it comes to offsite program- ming. The Oakland Museum of California is one of the city's premier event venues, offering a distinctly California backdrop for receptions, networking func- Oakland Skyline as Viewed from theMarriott B M & T ••• July/August 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 38