5 Surprises for Meeting Planners in Birmingham, Alabama

There’s a reason it’s called the Magic City. Named one of the top 24 places to travel in 2026 by AFAR, Greater Birmingham is a rising hub for arts, culture and dining, claiming 13 Michelin Guide restaurants, and more than sixty James Beard honorees and nominees.

In October, Birmingham hosted Northstar's TEAMS Conference & Expo 2026, opening its arms to more than 1,300 sports-event planners. As a first-time TEAMS attendee, I was inspired by the energy and momentum of an event of this scale — and by how the Magic City rose to the occasion. From its inclusive sports venues and award-winning cuisine to its perfect fall weather and, above all, the warmth of its people, Birmingham gave attendees plenty to remember.

1. Birmingham is built to host, and does it with a smile.

Greater Birmingham lures events with its combination of spacious venues, the ability to host large meetings and its diverse offerings. The destination houses a wide collection of sports complexes, championship stadiums, training centers, outdoor venues and multipurpose event spaces that can accommodate most every need.

Anchored in the heart of the Uptown Entertainment District, the Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) features more than 420,000 square feet of meeting space and 18 distinct venues in a lively, walkable setting.

2. Southern hospitality is real, flourishing and an absolute dream for foodies.

When our group gathered before the conference, we barely got past “Hello!” and “Great to see you!” before comparing notes on how welcoming and easy to navigate Birmingham felt.

Marie Madden, vice president at HPN Global and a first-timer in Birmingham, says one of the biggest surprises to her was just how welcoming everyone in town is.

"The people in Birmingham love having visitors, and that Southern hospitality really speaks through."

Even on short cab rides, we found ourselves chatting with drivers about Birmingham and its diverse dining scene — a topic that came up time and again with locals. Around the BJCC, Circle Drive offers something for everyone, from Southern comfort food to personal pizzas and classic grill fare.

That variety is on full display in Downtown Birmingham, where grand Neoclassical and Beaux-Arts buildings stand alongside modern businesses. The Mexican-inspired El Barrio was a group favorite for a casual meal, but our most memorable evening was at Bistro 218. With its intimate setting, white tablecloths and menu blending French and New Orleans influences, it brought a little Parisian charm to Birmingham.

From where we sat, the city more than earned its reputation as the “Dinner Table of the South.”

There’s plenty to do after dinner too, whether you’re in the mood for arcade games, karaoke, a local craft beer or a cocktail at a tucked-away speakeasy.

3. Birmingham cares and accommodates.

Diversity, inclusion and quality of life are integral to Greater Birmingham’s mission and ongoing development.

Accessibility is not an afterthought here, but a movement. We were deeply impressed by our site visit to the Lakeshore Foundation, an official U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site and home to major adaptive sports events for individuals with physical disabilities and health conditions. We were invited both to watch and participate in wheelchair basketball, pickleball and boccia during our visit, and got to speak with athletes whose lives and training have been enriched by the foundation’s ongoing commitment to championing inclusivity across events.

Photos by Jared Wickerham | Wick Photography

4. The city’s rich history plays an active role in defining its story for current events and tourism.

During the conference, Anthony Williams, director of the Negro Southern League Museum, said, "Preserving history isn't just about remembering who won the games, but remembering who made the games possible" — a sentiment mirrored all across Greater Birmingham.

The city was a major hub during the Civil Rights Movement, as the site of many famous sit-ins and nonviolent demonstrations, and this legacy is embedded into Birmingham’s local arts, culture, events and event spaces. Between the Downtown Mural Trail, the artistic Vulcan statues peppered across the city, and the historical theaters, memorial parks, churches, museums and institutes in the Civil Rights District and beyond — including the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, which doubles as an event space — every bit of the city tells the story of Birmingham.

5. It’s accessible, active and attractive.

One of the greatest parts about being in Birmingham is how seamlessly the city's elements all flow together — and how improvements are underwaythe to enhance the travel and tourism offerings. Birmingham facilitated our largest TEAMS Conference & Expo ever at the BJCC, conveniently situated between the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel and The Westin Birmingham, and within walking distance of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, Protective Stadium, the free-admission Birmingham Museum of Art, and several Uptown eateries and boutiques. And all this bounty is only 10 minutes from the Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport and the historical downtown.

My biggest “wow” moment came when I took a stroll outside the Sheraton and stumbled onto the CityWalk, Birmingham’s 2-mile, state-of-the-art recreational park that stretches underneath the interstate, whose stanchions are lit with rainbow colors at night. With plentiful green space, ball courts, a roller rink, an amphitheater, event plazas and more, you forget you’re beneath a bridge and instead feel like you’re in a bottomless pocket of Magic City. Whether you’re planning an outdoor festival, a championship sports game, an expo, a tour de cuisine, a boutique event or other gathering, you’ll find your crowd in Birmingham.

Photos courtesy of City of Birmingham.

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