African American Tourism Summit
Greenville, SC
Saturday, February 22, 2024
Crescent One Building
25 Goldsmith Street, Greenville, SC 29601
The Upstate Summit on African- American Tourism serves as a think tank where stakeholders & industry leaders from the Upstate region gather with key government representatives to continue aligning efforts to support the African- American Tourism sector’s recovery and move beyond to a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.
Learn about opportunities to tap into the $20 Million Dollar Tourism Industry. Meet the who’s who in the tourism industry and network about ideas, resources, and partnerships. Additional details will be announced soon including the awards show date, hosts, performers, presenters, and more. Follow us or sign up for email updates to be the first to know!
The African- American Tourism Economic Impact in South Carolina
African-American tourists are responsible for $2.4 billion in economic impact for South Carolina
- Impacts around 26,302 jobs
- Creates $789.5 million in labor income
This boost is without aggressive targeting of African American tourists
- Increasing African American tourism by 5% could create an additional 1,315 jobs
- Increasing African American tourism could create $118 million dollars in annual output, and creating $39.5 million in labor income
2025 Upstate Summit on AA Tourism
Date, Time, Location | Program |
Saturday, February 17,2024 | |
9 amSpringfield Baptist Conference Center | Opening Session Music Festivals (Oconee & Greenville), Spartanburg Wall, & Historical Sites This session highlights the various African- American & Cultural Tourism Projects in the Upstate region & introduces the strategy plan to grow its economic impact.
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Block 1:10:40 am-11:40amSpringfield Baptist Conference Center | A-tax Grants: Funding For Your Tourism & Cultural Arts Programming Theme & Brief Description: This session will feature local governments around the region as they discuss the qualifying criteria and other aspects of the program. Featuring: City/County of Greenville, City/County Spartanburg/City/County Greenwood/Oconee County Business Development & Loan Programs: Start or Expand Your Business Theme & Brief Description: This session will feature small business loan and development programs from around the upstate region for businesses seeking financing for their business venture. Featuring: Climb Fund, Community Works SC, SC Community Loan Fund, GCRA, SC Minority Affairs |
Block 2:11:50 am- 12:50pmSpringfield Baptist Conference Center | Concurrent Sessions II – SC Parks Recreation & Tourism Grants (Rm TBD)Theme & Description: Staff from SCPRT as they discuss their grants and tourism promotion programs. Featuring: Becky Moore CVBs & How they Help Your Black Tourism Business Venture (Rm TBD) Theme & Description: Upstate Regional CVBs discuss the benefits of becoming members such as direct marketing services, brochure display services, and Opportunities to advertise in CVB publications and websites. Featuring: Yeah That Greenville, Spartanburg CVB, Oconee CVB, Anderson CVB, Greenwood CVB |
1pmSpringfield Baptist Conference Center | Luncheon- SC African- American Tourism: A Golden Opportunity Theme & Brief Description: SCPRT has long recognized the value in investing in cultural tourism particularly the African- American niche. Hear about recent efforts including State sponsored Trails, the effort to get African- Americans to venture into State Parks & Campgrounds. Keynote Speaker: We Goja, Dawn Dawson House, Executive Director- |
Date, Time, Location | Program |
Friday, February 22, 2025 | |
9 am | Opening Session African- American Tourism Opportunities in the Upstate
This session highlights the various African- American & Cultural Tourism Projects in the Upstate region & introduces the strategy plan to grow its economic impact. |
Block 1: 10:40 am-11:40am JCA HQ | A-tax Grants: Funding For Your Tourism & Cultural Arts ProgrammingTheme & Brief Description: This session will feature local governments around the region as they discuss the qualifying criteria and other aspects of the program. Featuring: Courtney Young, Foresight Communications City/County of Greenville, City/County Spartanburg Business Development & Loan Programs: Start or Expand Your Business Theme & Brief Description: This session will feature small business loan and development programs from around the upstate region for businesses seeking financing for their business venture. Featuring |
Block 2: 11:50 am- 12:50pm JCA HQ | CVBs & How they Help Your Black Tourism Business Venture (Rm TBD) Theme & Description: Upstate Regional CVBs discuss the benefits of becoming members such as direct marketing services, brochure display services, and Opportunities to advertise in CVB publications and websites. Featuring: VisitGreenville (Adam Jennings), Spartanburg ONE (Patricia Byrd) |
1pm JCA HQ | Luncheon-SC African- American Tourism: A Golden Opportunity Theme & Brief Description:Keynote Speaker: TBD |
2025 Speakers
Amanda Lee
Amanda Lee
Amanda Lee
Adam Cheise
Amanda Lee
Amanda Lee
Amanda Lee
Adam Cheise
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Elevate Your Brand at the Upstate African-American Tourism Summit: Invest in the Power of Connection
Are you ready to reach a vibrant, influential, and growing market? Look no further than the Upstate African-American Tourism Summit, the premier event connecting Black travelers with top destinations, travel professionals, and industry leaders.
Why partner with us?
- Exclusive access to a high-value audience: Tap into a dynamic market of savvy travelers with significant spending power. Black travelers in the Upstate alone spend [insert statistic]!
- Targeted brand exposure: Showcase your brand to a captive audience through a variety of sponsorship opportunities, including logo placement, speaking engagements, and more.
- Build meaningful relationships: Network with key decision-makers in the travel industry, forging connections that can fuel future growth.
- Positive brand association: Align your brand with a progressive and impactful event that celebrates Black travel and culture.
- Amplify your message: Gain valuable media exposure through event promotion and coverage, extending your reach beyond the summit walls.
Beyond traditional sponsorships, we offer curated opportunities to make a lasting impact:
- Support scholarships: Empower the next generation of Black travel professionals with your contribution.
- Fund cultural experiences: Sponsor immersive activities that showcase the Upstate’s rich African-American heritage.
- Champion diversity and inclusion: Align your brand with a movement that promotes equitable representation in the travel industry.
Investing in the Upstate African-American Tourism Summit is more than just a marketing opportunity; it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. Join us in creating a platform for connection, celebration, and economic empowerment.
Download our Sponsorship Packet today and discover how your brand can connect with a powerful and passionate audience.
Remember, the journey starts here.
Let’s build a thriving travel landscape together.
#UpstateAATourismSummit #BlackTravelMatters #InvestInTheFuture
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$10,000 Title Sponsor
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$7500 Platinum
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$5000 Gold
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$2500 Silver
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$1000 Vendor
