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"It
B Y PATRICIA A NN J ORDAN
seems as though the more financial challenges folks encounter, the more need there is to
fellowship with family members and renew/strengthen old family ties. This is especially
true within the African-American market," noted Solomon J. Herbert, Sr., Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
of Black Meetings & Tourism. Adding," According to research, African-Americans are responsible for
about 80% of all family reunions in the United States."
From all the feedback BM&T gets, this segment of the market tends to be almost recession proof
and continues to thrive, despite the financial challenges many are facing. We checked with some representatives from some popular family reunion cities where this rings true.
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WASHINGTON DC
According to Elliott Ferguson, president
& CEO of Destination DC, "With so many
free and almost free national monuments,
museums and attractions, Washington, DC
is an exceptionally
appealing
destination
for family
reunions,
particularly
the AfricanAmerican
segment.
T h e
District is
already a
place where
history happened, but it is also a place where
history happens. With the opening of the
National Museum of African American
History and Culture in 2015, there will be
other history-making events that might create
the perfect opportunity to reunite with family
as you make and witness history."
Some reunions are the size of small meetings and some come through professional
meeting planners, with the sales and convention services teams providing support (maps,
visitors guides, hotel and restaurant suggestions, guides for requesting permits for picnics
on the National Mall, etc.).
Most family reunions take place March
through October, when the weather is
warmer, with the majority taking place when
school is out.
As for the accommodations, activities,
attractions and venues, this is where DC
shines. With over 30 free national museums,
including the National Zoo and 15 other
Smithsonian Institution museums, there are
myriad choices. The Martin Luther King, Jr.
National Memorial on the National Mall and
historic Howard Theatre, home to a stellar
gospel brunch on Sundays are popular with
reunion attendees. Large new restaurants like
the 800+ seat Hamilton and their supper club
Hamilton Live have been wonderful for small
meetings and family reunions. The Hamilton
is two blocks from the White House.
For families planning to come to DC for a
family reunion without the support of a professional meeting planner, they can request
materials at: http://washington.org/DCinformation/bulk-order-official-visitorguides-and-maps.
B M & T ••• September/October 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com
