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B M & T ••• July/August 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 40 African Americans throughout Kansas. Located in the historic former Calvary Baptist Church, the museum provides important context for understanding the state's Black heritage. Additional attractions include the Wichita Art Museum, Museum of World Treasures, Mid-America All-Indian Museum, and the historic Delano District. When it's time to gather around the table, atten- dees can enjoy client dinners at Newport Grill, casual networking at The Monarch, or Kansas-style barbe- cue from Black-owned Two Brothers BBQ. Evening activities center on Old Town, where venues such as Walker's Jazz Lounge, Mort's Martini and Cigar Bar, Brickyard, WAVE, Rock Island Live, and Revolution Lounge keep the energy going. Wichita may not always top planners' shortlists, but it consistently delivers the ingredients that make memorable meet- ings. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Wichita – 316-265-2800 www. visitwichita.com SHREVEPORT, LA Set along the Red River in northwest Louisiana, Shreveport has long been a crossroads of music, cul- ture, commerce, and Southern hospitality. The city helped shape the sounds of blues, gospel, country, and rockabilly, and today it offers meeting planners a destination where convention facilities, riverfront entertainment, and rich African American history come together in one surprisingly compact package. The city's meetings industry is anchored by the Shreveport Convention Center, a waterfront facility offering more than 350,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space. Highlights include a 95,000 sq. ft. col- umn-free exhibit hall, the 18,000 sq. ft. Captain Shreve Ballroom, and numerous breakout rooms capable of supporting conventions, trade shows, association meetings, and corporate events. The convention center is connect- ed to the Hilton Shreveport, a 311-room headquarters hotel with additional meeting facili- ties, creating a convenient environment for attendees. Additional lodging and meeting options can be found at nearby casino resorts, including Bally's Shreveport Casino & Hotel and Sam's Town Hotel & Casino. Sam's Town features 514 guest rooms, multiple dining ven- ues, live entertainment, and dedicated meeting space, while Margaritaville Resort Casino and Horseshoe Bossier City provide additional capacity for larger citywide programs. For planners seeking memorable offsite experi- ences, Shreveport offers several distinctive venues. The historic Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, famous for its musical legacy, hosts receptions, meet- ings, performances, and civic events. RiverView Hall and Theater provides a flexible downtown setting for conferences and special events, while 601 Spring Event Center offers a unique venue within the historic George T. Bishop Building. Groups may also consider Cordaro's Event Center or the grand Shreveport Scottish Rite Cathedral for elegant gatherings and awards programs. Shreveport's African American story is one of its strongest assets. The city played an important role in Louisiana's Civil Rights Movement, and attendees can explore that legacy through sites such as Old Galilee Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke, and Little Union Baptist Church, another important center of civil rights organizing. The Stephens African American Museum, Southern University Museum-Art, Spring Street Historical Museum, and Southern University at Shreveport pro- vide additional resources for educational and cultural engagement. Food is equally important to appreciating the des- tination. Orlandeaux's Café, founded in 1921, remains one of the nation's oldest continuously oper- ating African American family-owned restaurants. Other notable Black-owned establishments include Eddie's Restaurant, C & C Café, and Big D's Bar-B- Que. After hours, attendees can enjoy the casinos, Shreveport Convention Center