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B M & T ••• May/June 2018 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 18 ALABAMA Beauty, history and adventure all come together in Alabama, a state rich in experiences for visitors to savor. It's a place where you can take in all the sights, sounds, smells, fla- vors and sensations that you'll always remember. In Alabama, each city and town has its own flavor. Cities like Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery and Tuskegee each offer a little something different that will satisfy everyone's leisure and/or business needs. Meeting and lodging space is abundant and the people show Southern Hospitality that is so popular in this region of the country. Conference attendees can explore the world-class restau- rants and exciting night-life, or just find their own stretch of pristine beach to unwind with a good book. Alabama is home to some very popular attractions travelers can visit as well. Some of Alabama's must-see attractions include the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the Birmingham Zoo, the Huntsville Botanical Garden, the McWane Science Center, the USS Alabama Battleship and Memorial Park just to name a few. BIRMINGHAM To be in Birmingham is to be in the arms of the South. Where the energy is palpable and a spirited nature is tempered by cosmopolitan charm. It's to be in a place that's as modern and contemporary as it is classically Southern. And to experi- ence something you won't soon forget. Birmingham is a popular convention city in the Southeast. With world-class attractions, lodging and dining fueling its rep- utation, Birmingham is an attractive, affordable meeting host. The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) is Alabama's largest convention address, with meeting facilities all on one campus. The BJCC complex campus has 350,000 sq. ft. of convention and exhibition space. The complex includes an 18,000-seat arena and 4,000 seats in two theaters. Two hotels, The Sheraton Birmingham Hotel and Westin Birmingham, are also part of the complex. The complex also includes Uptown entertainment district and Topgolf. Richly detailed exhibits in the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute reveal slices of Black and White life in Alabama from the late 1800s to the present. A series of galleries tells the sto- ries of daily life for African-Americans in the state and the nation and how dramatically different it was from the lives White people of that era took for granted. There's an unmistakable energy that pulses through the city once the sun goes down, where Southern hospitality mixes with a healthy dose of cosmopolitan charm. Whether you're looking for some live tunes or maybe even a livelier bar scene, what you'll find here is a surprising blend of music and entertain- ment that will start you moving, get you grooving and keep you coming back for more. A visually exciting gateway to the city, Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport gives visitors easy access to the metropolitan area. Direct service is provided to 50 cities with 70 daily departures, and the city is only one stop away from anywhere. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Dome ARKANSAS Business travelers and leisure travelers alike can let loose in Arkansas with an abundance of attractions and activities all over the state. With so many picturesque backdrops of the beautiful outdoors it's no wonder why travelers want to hold their family reunions, weddings and other private gatherings here. Hot Springs and Hot Springs National Park owe their exis- tence to an array of springs that still supply naturally heated water for thermal baths. The historic Fordyce Bathhouse, located on famous Bathhouse Row, serves as the park's visi- tor center. At the center of the state, Little Rock is Arkansas's capital city. Fittingly, the state's diverse cultures converge at Little Rock, which is home to a thriving and downtown entertain- ment district, a wide array of restaurants, exciting nightlife, riverside parks and an abundance of golf courses. Pine Bluff is located along several historic trails, including four approaches involved in the October 1863 Attack on Pine Bluff and the water route of the Trail of Tears. These passages, along with other historically significant routes, are now part of the Arkansas Heritage Trails System. Photo Credit: Birmingham CVB Little Rock city skyline from the Junction Bridge Photo Credit: Paul Brady