Birmingham Travel and Things to Do Guide

Welcome to Cvent’s Meeting and Event Planning Guide to Birmingham, an area guide for meeting professionals.

Centrally located in the Southeast, Birmingham is home to Alabama’s largest convention complex, thriving entertainment districts, and an international reputation for exceptional dining.
Take a look at why Birmingham is one of the most popular event cities in the region.

BEAUTY, CHARM, JAMES BEARD AND THE BJCC
Something heard time and again from first time visitors to Birmingham is that they never realized the beauty of the area. With the foothills of the Appalachians as a dramatic backdrop, the city is laid out on a series of lush rolling hills. Birmingham is easily accessible via the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, about 10 minutes from downtown.

MEETING FACILITIES
The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) is the state’s largest convention venue, with facilities all on one campus. The BJCC complex campus has 350,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space. The complex includes an 18,000-seat, newly renovated arena, and 4,000 seats in two theaters. Two hotels, Sheraton Birmingham Hotel and The Westin Birmingham, are also part of the campus. Newly added this year is the 47,000-seat, open-air Protective Stadium. The campus also includes Uptown, a convenient dining district serving up everything from roasted lamb to gourmet burgers and fresh-from-the-Gulf seafood.

DINING
Because of its robust dining scene and welcoming character, Birmingham is widely known as the “Dinner Table of the South.” Chef-owned dining rooms are abundant around the city, with numerous James Beard culinary award winners and nominees. Well before arriving, make reservations at Highlands Bar & Grill, winner of “Best Restaurant in America” in 2018. Enjoy other notable restaurants such as Bottega Café, Satterfield’s, and Gianmarco’s. Hip bistros and international dining join upscale restaurants to create a city of culinary importance. Check out the global cuisine at Pizitz Food Hall, a 1950s department store with stalls now serving dishes from around the world. Enjoy a cocktail there at The Louis. And no one should leave the city without a traditional Southern meal of the world’s best barbecue, topped off with a hearty slice of lemon icebox pie. Determine your own favorite BBQ at places like Full Moon, Jim ‘N Nick’s, and Dreamland.

AFTER HOURS
When the meetings are over, the fun begins. Live music is Birmingham’s signature entertainment, and visitors find all genres all around the city. Some of the best music venues are close to the convention complex. Iron City Birmingham, a 1,200-seat performance arena, has a full schedule of nationally known musicians. A more intimate listening room is nearby WorkPlay, also available for private events. Saturn, in the hip Avondale neighborhood, is home to both national and local recording acts. With temperate weather much of the year, rooftop bars are popular for mingling with associates. Stop in for drinks at Carrigan’s or at Moon Shine, atop the downtown Elyton Hotel. Or flash back to mid-century at the fun and funky Atomic Bar & Lounge. Birmingham breweries, such as Good People Brewing, have made a name for themselves with inventive and award-winning beers. Also explore the Birmingham Theater District for events at the historic Alabama and Lyric Theatres and for independent film screenings at Sidewalk Cinema.


RECREATION, ATTRACTIONS, AND OFF-SITE VENUES
Some of the best golf on earth can be found at public courses in the area, including Birmingham’s challenging courses along the state’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Or take the golfing indoors to Topgolf Birmingham, situated on the campus of the BJCC.
The Birmingham Museum of Art has one of the finest collections in the Southeast, with more than 24,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and decorative arts.
Barber Motorsports Park has been hailed around the world as the “Augusta of Racing.” The adjacent Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum houses the world’s largest collection of vintage and contemporary motorcycles. Barber museum is a spectacular setting for off-site events.
The story of Birmingham’s role in the long march to civil rights is told at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the focal point of the city’s Civil Rights District, now a national monument.
Vulcan Park and Museum is the best place to get a panoramic view of the city from the platform at the world’s largest cast iron statue. Vulcan is also a memorable event venue, as is Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, now preserved and restored for public use.


AWARD WINNING SALES AND SERVICING
When it’s time to plan your event, you’ll be in good hands with the sales and servicing teams at the Greater Birmingham CVB. A professional sales team will assist you with proposals and other requirements from your RFP. They are experts in gathering information about facilities to meet your group’s requirements. The award-winning servicing team is creative and well-connected within the community, allowing them to assist with off-site events and planning logistics.

When Birmingham serves as your host, you are assured the support and professionalism your event deserves.
Take a seat at the “Dinner Table of the South.”