Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/3108
Black Meetings & Tourism April/May 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 72 The South is turning on the charm, ramping up the fun, spotlighting the region's rich African- American heritage and moving toward a green- er hospitality industry. All of which are excellent reasons for choosing a Southern destination for the next meeting or incen- tive trip on your horizon. You'll find meeting and lodging accommodations to fit every group size and budget, a wide range of cultural and entertainment attractions and a climate favorable to year- round outdoor recreation and sightseeing. ALABAMA From its space city in the north to the Gulf Coast destina- tions along its southern edge, Alabama offers a variety of great gathering spots for meeting delegates and other groups. In Mobile, the largest city on the Alabama Gulf Coast, a must-see attraction is the National African American Archives & Museum, which houses an exhibit on the history of Black Carnival traditions. In Gulf Shore, you can bring an off-site event right to the beach at the Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab. An itinerary for Tuscaloosa might include a visit to the Murphy African-American Museum and the storied campus of the University of Alabama. If it's football season, you might catch the famous Crimson Tide in action at Bryant- Denny Stadium. For those who'd like to spend some leisure time hitting the links, the state's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail includes eight cities with a total of 21 courses. BY SONYA STINSON AFRICAN AMERICAN GUIDE TO MEETING, INCENTIVES AND TRAVELING IN THE SOUTH Statue of Martin Luther King Photo Credit: Jeffrey Greenberg