ing and snowboarding. Recreation areas include the Monongahela National
Forest and the Greenbrier River Trail.
Last year this proud state commemorated its 150th birthday with a host of
year-round festivities. As the only state born out of the turmoil of the Civil War, the
sesquicentennial took on a special significance. This year the state is just celebrat-
ing with annual events and activities for locals and visitors alike.
Taking advantage of the states' scenic beauty , the summer months brings
scores of motorcycle riders to participate in events such as the Freedom Fest
Motorcycle Touring and MountainFest Motorcycle.
Charleston features a host of musical events. One popular venue is the
Haddad Riverfront Park, an outdoor place to just kick back and enjoy. Another
venue popular for music is The Clay Center where B.B. King is slated to perform
later this year.
Its no small wonder African-Americans have rediscovered part of what makes
the South so great. After all many of our ancestors toiled away and planted the
seeds for what the South has become today, a place of energy and excitement.
While many have a tendency to look at the South through the lens of history
and Civil Rights, the South is more than this legacy. Look around at many of these
great urban centers. Black-owned businesses are thriving. There are several Black-
owned name brand hotel properties. The South is a place of economic opportu-
nity if we just dare to look.
The state of Florida alone hosted some of the African-American community's
most prestigious conventions last year from the National Association of Black
Journalist to the NAACP in Orlando; to the National Bar Association and the
National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers in
Miami.
The South is not up and coming, it has arrived and awaits your visit
with open arms.
Alabama
Tourism
Department
(800)
ALABAMA
www.tourism.alabama.gov
Arkansas
Tourism
(800)
NATURAL
www.arkansas.com)
Florida
Tourism
and
Marketing
Corp
(888)
7-FLAUSA
www.visitiflorida.com
Georgia
Department
of
Economic
Development
(800)
847-4842
(www.exploregeorgia.org
Kentucky
Department
of
Tourism
(800)
225-8747
www.kentuckytourism.com
Louisiana
Office
of
Tourism
(800)
677-4082
www.louisianatravel.com
Mississippi
Division
of
Tourism
Development
(866)
SEE
MISS
www.visitmississippi.org
North
Carolina
Division
of
Tourism
(800VISIT
NC
www.visitnc.com
South
Carolina
Department
of
Parks,
Recreation
&
Tourism
(888)
SC
SMILE
)www.discoversouthcarolina.com
Tennessee
Department
of
Tourism
Development
(800)
GO2TENN
www.tnvacation.com
Virginia
Tourism
Corp.
(800)
VISITVA
www.virginia.org
West
Virginia
Division
of
Tourism
(800)
CALL
WVA
www.wvtourism.com
State Capitol, Charleston, West Virginia
Photo
Credit:
West
Virginia
CVB
G E T T I N G I N T O U C H
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B M & T ••• May/June 2013••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com
