Despite decades of economic diversification that in recent years resulted in Birmingham boasting one of the nation’s fastest-growing income rates, the city’s past as the industrial powerhouse of the South lingers on in many people’s minds. The Birmingham of today is a city of surprises, from its burgeoning arts and cultural scene to a significant new urban greening project and a cutting-edge medical conference facility.
“When planners first think of Birmingham, they think of its past in being a steel town,” says Barry Hoehn, director of sales at the Greater Birmingham CVB. “Once they come for a site visit and we show them our city and all it has to offer the attendees, they advise us that they never would have thought that Birmingham had that much going for it and that it is a well-kept secret gem.”
Birmingham continues to move away from its 20th century reputation as a city of smokestacks toward a new identity as a hip, diverse and business-friendly urban mecca. Projects such as Railroad Park, a 20-acre downtown park near the campus of the University of Alabama (UAB) that will have a lake, a restaurant and an amphitheater capable of seating 3,000, promise to make living, working and meeting in the city center more pleasant than ever and inspire additional developments.
Among the exciting ideas on the table are a streetcar system and other transit enhancements designed to link the convention district with the new park; an entertainment development in the convention district; and the possibility of a domed arena.
The city’s ongoing development, accessibility and value are boosting its popularity among groups.
“Our airport is located seven minutes from downtown, and we are accessible by four major interstates,” Hoehn says. “Fifteen states are located within Birmingham’s 500-mile radius, which has proven to be a deal-maker in today’s economic environment.
“On top of that,” he adds, “our history, numerous independent restaurants that we are famous for, the quantity and quality of our shopping and the fact that we are a Southern city with our own cosmopolitan personality all make us stand out.”
Meet with Variety
The CVB prides itself on the city’s diversity of venues. At the top of the list is the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC), located in the northern part of the city center. It offers 220,000 square feet of exhibition space, 74 meeting rooms, a 19,000-seat arena, a concert hall seating 3,000 and a theater with space for 1,000. The BJCC adjoins the recently renovated, 757-room Sheraton Birmingham.
Another feature of the BJCC proving very attractive to health industry gatherings is the Medical Forum. This dedicated facility houses a demonstration lab for surgical procedures and conference space for as many as 400 participants, plus state-of-the-art satellite teleconferencing capability.
Prominent meetings hotels include the 329-room Wynfrey Hotel, with 32,000 square feet of meeting space and a connection to the Riverchase Galleria mall; Doubletree Hotel Birmingham, with 298 guest rooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space; and the 220-room Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport, featuring five meeting rooms.
Historic hotels lend a special, unique feel to events. The Tutwiler, a National Historic Landmark built in 1914, offers six meeting rooms totaling 3,800 square feet. Redmont Hotel, built in 1925 and famous as the place where Hank Williams Sr. spent his final night, offers a boardroom and several meeting rooms.
Meanwhile, a $60 million Renaissance hotel will be unveiled downtown next year, a Residence Inn will open in July, and Hyatt Place Birmingham Downtown opened in May.
The area’s only resort hotel, Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa, offers top-notch golf, 21,000 square feet of meeting space and a 12,000-square-foot spa in the nearby suburb of Hoover.
Just south of the city, collaboration between hotels is creating Cahaba Valley Convention District (CVCD). This collection of nine chain hotels along the Highway 280 entertainment corridor will offer 1,300 guest rooms within two miles of each other and the Cahaba Grand Conference Center, which boasts 25,000 square feet of meeting space. The CVCD is located 15 minutes from Birmingham International Airport and within two miles of The Summit shopping center. Shuttles will be provided between the conference center, hotels and mall.
Meetings hotels nearby include the recently renovated Hilton Birmingham Perimeter Park, with 205 guest rooms and 10,000 square feet of meeting space; the 295-room Birmingham Marriott, with 13,000 square feet of meeting space; and the new aloft Birmingham Soho Square, with 650 square feet of meeting space.
In the same region, the gracious Carraway-Davie House & Conference Center overlooks the Cahaba River.
Off-Sites to Behold
As the cultural heart of Alabama, Birmingham is home to the state’s largest art museum, premier performing arts companies and a number of annual festivals. Many cultural venues make fabulous off-site venues, including the historic, 508-seat Carver Theatre, home of the Jazz Hall of Fame; the 2,200-seat Alabama Theatre, with its lavish ceilings and Wurlitzer organ; or the 2,470-square-foot ballroom of Hills Arts Center.
WorkPlay, an entertainment complex located in the Southside neighborhood, provides a dynamic atmosphere designed to get creative juices flowing. The facility offers a 250-seat theater that can host receptions as large as 400 and a soundstage capable of welcoming as many as 500.
Groups can go wild with an event at Birmingham Zoo, home to 750 creatures, including several endangered species from six continents. The special events area in the center of the zoo accommodates groups of 500; the children’s zoo can welcome 1,000; and the zoo lodge is perfect for banquets of 50. There is also a 200-seat auditorium. For an additional fee, keepers can bring a selection of animals into the event.
Barber Motorsports Park is another off-the-wall option for gatherings. Groups could take in a race or consider a group Porsche or motorcycle driving school adventure.
The hard work and investments the city has put into diversification and improvement is already paying off.
“Birmingham will host the Green Building Focus Conference and Expo in July,” Hoehn says. “We see Birmingham continually growing as a meetings destination.”
For More Info
Greater Birmingham CVB 205.458.8000 www.birminghamal.org
