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History, music, food, entertainment, sports, attractions, and more—Black history and Memphis are intertwined, making the Bluff City a highly appealing destination for a meeting or convention.

African Americans have played a major role in the development of Memphis and the South. Memphian Robert Church was the South’s first black millionaire. Activist and Publisher Ida B. Wells helped found the NAACP. In the 1920’s, former slave Tom Lee became a hero by saving 32 people from a sinking riverboat. W.C. Handy is credited with founding the blues. The list goes on.

The trials, triumphs and contributions of African Americans are showcased throughout Memphis. The National Civil Rights Museum is just one of the city’s 60+ one-of-a-kind attractions. This impressive site is located in downtown Memphis inside the Lorraine Motel, site of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Inside, you’ll find a deeply moving exploration of the sights, sounds and tensions of the Civil Rights Movement. Nearby is the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum, offering a fascinating glimpse of how slaves escaped to the North.

Not far away is the W.C. Handy House Museum, located on Historic Beale Street. Author of “Memphis Blues,” Handy played a major role in establishing Memphis as the home of the blues. His statue on Beale Street is a focal point. And while you’re on Beale Street, stop in one of the 25+ shops and clubs, or catch an impromptu jam session outdoors. Beale Street is ranked second only to Bourbon Street as the country’s most popular entertainment district. One of the most popular clubs is B. B. King’s, king of the Blues, inspired by an authentic Delta “juke joint.” Here, you can dine on Southern cuisine, hear great music nightly and see photos and memorabilia from B.B.’s illustrious career. Don’t miss Itta Bena, an exclusive dining experience above B.B.’s club.

And speaking of B. B. King, his famous “ES Lucille” guitar is on display at the nearby Gibson Guitar Factory & Beale Street Showcase, where you can take a tour and shop. If you love rock ‘n roll, you’ll love Smithsonian’s Rock ‘n Soul Museum, with its seven galleries examining the history of Memphis music. Famed Sun Studio is the place where legends such as Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, B.B. King, Rufus Thomas, Ike Turner and more were recorded and their careers launched.

Stax Museum of American Soul Music is located at the original site of the legendary Stax Records in the heart of Soulsville, USA. This 17,000 sq. ft facility with more than 2,000 cultural artifacts, music exhibits, video footage and items of memorabilia is designed to preserve and promote the legacy of American soul music, particularly that of Stax Records. And don’t forget Graceland, the 14-acre legendary home of Elvis Presley.

Also located downtown is the Center for Southern Folklore, a melting pot for everything Southern. Hear live blues, rockabilly and just about any other kind of music. Stroll through the gallery, see a film, take a tour. Or have a seat and enjoy homemade peach cobbler, greens, and hot water cornbread. Good food abounds in Memphis, from barbecue (wet or dry) to soul food (come hungry) to just about anything you’re in the mood for.

Memphis is definitely the perfect place to meet and greet, offering costs and rates that average half of nearly all first-tier and many second-tier cities. The multi-billion dollar downtown renaissance and the $92-milion convention center expansion and renovation project have resulted in outstanding facilities and space. In fact, no other convention center in the country can offer an in-house performing arts center that connects to the exhibit space.

Meeting space includes:
• 350,000 sq. ft. of exhibit and meeting space
• 31 break-out meeting rooms
• 28,000 sq. ft. ballroom which can serve banquet for up to 2,000 delegates
• 2,100 seat Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, perfect for general assembly sessions and special presentations, with near-perfect acoustics

Need a place to stay? New hotel rooms have been added, adjacent to the convention center, for ease and convenience.

Hotel space includes:
• 2,900 hotel rooms within walking distance of the Memphis Cook Convention Center in Downtown Memphis. Of these, 2,000 rooms are committable to citywide conventions
• Over 23,000 rooms citywide
The award-winning Marriott Downtown, which is attached to the convention center, completed a $14 million expansion that included the construction of a new 14-story, 200 room tower for a total of 600 rooms. Memphis’ largest hotel is only 20 minutes from the Memphis International Airport. The Marriott also handles the food service at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.

Just a trolley ride away is the historic Residence Inn by Marriott, which offers 90 beautifully appointed suites. Registered with the National Historic Registry, the property has been carefully restored to reflect its original Art Deco architecture. And on the corner of world-famous Beale Street is the 144 room Hampton Inn and Suites.

The” South’s Grand Hotel,” the Peabody, specializes in meeting the needs of business travelers and meeting planners. Conveniently located downtown near most of the city’s major attractions, The Peabody has 464 elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites and 84,000 sq. ft. of meeting space to meet your needs. The Peabody is within minutes to fine dining, shopping and entertaining. And don’t forget to catch the famous ducks in the beautiful lobby fountain.

And of course there is excellent hotel and meeting space across town as well, beginning with the Hilton Memphis. Located in the heart of the East Memphis business district, this 405-room hotel underwent an extensive $12 million renovation. Best of all, it is only 15 minutes from Memphis International Airport. This luxury hotel features more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space and can handle a meeting or reception up to 1,600 persons, which makes the Hilton Memphis a premier hotel and conference center in Memphis. Another excellent choice is The Embassy Suites Memphis, with 220 suites overlooking a lush tropical garden setting and waterfall. This outstanding hotel is easily accessible to shopping/dining and entertainment.

There’s so much more…Alex Haley House & Museum in nearby Henning, Tennessee, theme parks, 200+ festivals and special events, including Black History Month every February and Africa in April.

Excitement fills the air during the annual Southern Heritage Classic, in which historically Black college football teams meet on the gridiron. A fashion show and golf tournament round out the Heritage celebration. And don’t forget the NBA Memphis Grizzlies and the AAA Memphis Redbirds baseball team.

Black culture has strong roots in Memphis, where struggles became triumphant moments and provided the backdrop for some of the world’s most significant musical milestones. And Memphis is perfect as a meeting or convention destination, with a convenient location, prime meeting space, outstanding hotels, excellent entertainment, irresistible cuisine, diverse activities and so much more. Choose Memphis and make some history of your own.