Charlotte Draws Meetings and Conventions for Major Black organizations  

By Brenda Porter-Rockwell

Blending Southern hospitality with modern amenities and infrastructure, Charlotte’s central location, top-of-the-line convention center and lively cultural scene make the city an obvious choice for event organizers looking to host a memorable Black meeting or convention.

Black meeting mecca

In just the last decade, the city has booked 200 Black meetings and conventions, resulting in hundreds of thousands of attendees from fraternities and sororities, national and regional associations, and professional service organizations of all sizes. And those figures are expected to grow revenue for and interest in the city, said Christa George, National Sales Manager for Visit Charlotte, a division of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA).

“We’re incredibly proud of the personalized service we oPer [for] all events through our Destination Services team. We have many repeat events and conferences because the attendees and organizers have such a great experience in Charlotte,” said George. The city has hosted large events with attendance counts in the 10,000s, such as the 2022 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Grand Conclave and the 2022 T.D. Jakes International Leadership Summit. This year, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s Regional Conference each had a total attendance of between 2,000 and 5,000 attendees. Additionally, the Jack and Jill of America Mid-Atlantic Teen Conference, the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College True Blue Sister Summit and The Black Owner & Women’s Collective Capital Conference were among the smaller-scale events held.

With 2024 nearing a close, Charlotte will host the Black Enterprise BE Smart HBCU Hackathon in December. Looking ahead, the Higher Education Leadership Foundation will come to the Charlotte Convention Center in May, followed by the NAACP National Convention, which will be 2025’s marquee event in mid-July. The NAACP National Convention will bring multiple opportunities to the Queen City. The registration link for the NAACP convention is naacp.org/convention.

With 2024 nearing a close, Charlotte will host the Black Enterprise BE Smart HBCU Hackathon in December. Looking ahead, the Higher Education Leadership Foundation will come to the Charlotte Convention Center in May, followed by the NAACP National Convention, which will be 2025’s marquee event in mid-July. The NAACP National Convention will bring multiple opportunities to the Queen City. The registration link for the NAACP convention is https://naacp.org/convention .

What’s the attraction?

One of the city’s top selling points is accessibility. Planners can count on Charlotte’s robust transportation and infrastructure systems to get travelers to and from destinations. For convention and meeting attendees, the airport’s proximity — just seven miles from downtown — makes transportation quick and convenient.Additionally, the city has a robust road and rail network, making it easily reachable by car or train from neighboring regions. This level of accessibility is a significant attraction for organizers seeking to maximize attendance at their events.

The recently expanded Charlotte Convention Center is a top venue for large conferences, trade shows and exhibitions. The Charlotte Convention Center has over 550,000 square feet of flexible space, including ballrooms, breakout rooms and expansive exhibit halls. The center is also conveniently located in the heart of Uptown, within reach of hotels, dining and entertainment. For smaller meetings or more intimate oPsite events, venues such as the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture are suitable, George said. The Gantt oPers a distinctive meeting space with built-in artistic attractions and is in the heart of Charlotte’s convention district. The area was once known as the historic Brooklyn neighborhood, an epicenter of the Black community that was razed in the 1960s.

“Charlotte provides a welcoming and inclusive local community, making us a great host for meetings and conventions. Groups want to feel valued when they come to a city, and in Charlotte, they get all the attention,” George added. “Our local organization chapter representatives in the city are always eager to bring their groups to Charlotte,” said George.

“That support is beneficial when clients are considering multiple destinations. We have learned that when clients come to Charlotte and experience the city firsthand, they are more likely to select Charlotte or consider us for a future meeting,” said George.When it comes to planning, there are multiple factors to consider such as price, amenities and accessibility. Those details are extremely important, but planners are asking more of their host city
these days.

“Organizations are now looking for host cities to partner with them,” said George. “They look to us, the CRVA, to connect them with Black-owned businesses so they can support the local community and make an impact while they are here. Today, hospitality is the region’s fourth largest industry sector, employing 1 in 9 residents.”In addition, host cities must respond to the technological needs of today. George stated that planners must keep up with the latest trends in technology and how to incorporate those trends into their event to create an optimal experience. Of course, the CRVA is ready and willing to respond to those needs.

“During the pandemic, virtual meetings were necessary to keep members connected. However, it didn’t take long to discover the importance and benefits of in-person meetings,” said George. On the horizon The most significant events that come to Charlotte are years in the making. From large-scale conferences or smaller, more intimate gatherings, George said, the Queen City oPers the resources needed to ensure a successful and memorable event, “including personal touches from our team that go above and beyond.” “My approach is understanding clients’ needs and presenting them with solutions while building trust through relationships. I have seen the city evolve so much over the past 32 years,” she said. “I am blessed to be able to be a part of an industry that provides measurable impact in the Charlotte community, including employment opportunities, local business support and increased quality of life.”