Louisville Welcomes African American Travel Conference

Louisville, KY (March 29, 2021) – Louisville is celebrating the initial signs of the convention industry rebound by welcoming its first ever national conference to inspire African American travel to the city March 30-April 1.

Louisville was awarded the hosting of the 2021 African American Travel Conference (AATC) in 2019 after first sending delegates to this important tradeshow for Black tourism beginning in 2016.

It is anticipated that 200 delegates will be in Louisville for the event, which will convene at the Galt House Hotel and other venues throughout the city, resulting in an estimated economic income of nearly $92,000.

“We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of AATC as it marks the inaugural industry conference of the year and the first major convention show to meet as Louisville continues to rebound and rebuild its vital tourism industry,” said Cleo Battle, COO of Louisville Tourism. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the city of Louisville to such an important audience and plan to take every opportunity to show the best our city has to offer, including the explosion of tourism infrastructure over the last decade, giving these planners many reasons to return and book groups in the near future,” he said. “The full economic impact of an event like this does not happen while they are in town, but in the potential of the future business they can generate based on their experience now.”

Louisville Tourism is bringing out the heavyweights, putting the city in the spotlight as it showcases several iconic attractions, including the renowned Muhammad Ali Center, a stop on the US Civil Rights Trail, for the opening event.

According to AATC, the association encompasses 2,500 travel planners serving the African American community. Travel Industry of America (TIA) reports that the African American community travels twice as often on a group package tour as the population as a whole.

The arrival of the AATC closely follows the debut of Louisville’s Black Heritage offerings, which center around celebrating the impact of African American contributions to Louisville’s history, heritage and culture through the Unfiltered Truth Collection. This collection of seven local attractions will share perspectives and histories that most have never heard before and allow visitors to explore the stories of some extraordinary people that built the Louisville experience as we know it today.

For more information about Louisville’s Black Heritage and the Unfiltered Truth Collection: https://www.gotolouisville.com/black-heritage.

Press Note: There are two opportunities for visuals and b-roll.

Tues. Mar. 30-7-9 pm- Opening reception at the Muhammad Ali Center (will feature several Black-owned businesses)

Wed. Marc. 31- 2-5 pm- City Tours of two of the Unfiltered Truth Collection programs

-Kentucky Derby Museum & Frazier History Museum

Please contact Rosanne Mastin at rmastin@gotolouisville.com to schedule a time.