Visit Buffalo Niagara to Host 2025 African American Travel Conference next week
BUFFALO, N.Y.— The African American Travel Conference, or AATC, has announced it will hold its 2025 annual meeting in Buffalo from May 21–23 at the Buffalo Convention Center and Hyatt Regency Buffalo. The event, hosted by Visit Buffalo Niagara, is expected to attract approximately 130 travel planners and representatives from destination marketing organizations nationwide.
The three-day conference will bring tourism professionals from across the United States to explore Buffalo’s attractions, dining scene, and cultural venues. Attendees will meet with local tourism officials and experience the city firsthand through curated site visits and excursions. AATC, the leading trade association serving travel planners in the African American market, connects group travel organizers and promotes greater awareness of lodging, sightseeing, and cultural experiences across the country.
“Our mission is to introduce travel planners to new destinations that they can promote to their clubs and travel groups,” said Charlie Presley, founder of AATC. “Visit Buffalo Niagara is a tourism jewel, and our delegates are going to see why they need to return with their groups to enjoy the hospitality and value the region offers.”
Conference delegates will tour key sites along the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor, including the Michigan Street Baptist Church, the Colored Musicians Club, the Nash House Museum, and the WUFO Black Radio History Collective. In partnership with the Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier, Forest Lawn Cemetery will host a trolley tour spotlighting the African American leaders, clergy, entrepreneurs, musicians, and veterans interred there.
AATC planners collectively coordinate group travel for more than 20,000 tourists annually, generating an estimated $25 million in domestic travel revenue. More generally, estimates show that every motor coach with visiting travelers contributes an average of $60,000 to the local economy during a three-day stay. The conference is expected to drive future tourism to Buffalo as planners return with their groups in the years ahead.
The timing of the event coincides with the start of Buffalo’s summer tourism season and several key developments on the Michigan Street Corridor, including the reopened historic Michigan Street Baptist Church and the upcoming debut of the renovated Colored Musicians Club’s upstairs performance space.
“This is a great time to bring these planners in to see and experience Buffalo in person,” said Renata Toney, vice president of destination experience at Visit Buffalo Niagara. “Seeing is believing. Once planners get to know Buffalo, they’ll encourage even more travelers to visit. We look forward to welcoming them back again and again. This opportunity wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our Visit Buffalo Niagara sales team, who worked relentlessly to attract and host this conference. Their passion and commitment have gone above and beyond to ensure every planner sees Buffalo at its absolute best—its thriving culture, top-notch venues, and welcoming spirit."
Visit Buffalo Niagara is the official destination marketing organization for Buffalo and Erie County, promoting the region as a premier destination for tourism, meetings, and sporting events. By showcasing the area’s culture, attractions, and hospitality, VBN drives visitor spending and supports economic growth throughout the community.