USCRT Connectivity Conference
In Partnership with Atlanta CVB
Join Us for the 2nd Annual USCRT Connectivity Conference, October 28-30, 2025, Atlanta, GA
The inaugural USCRT Connectivity Conference in October 2024 brought together 100+ tourism professionals from eight states to experience the powerful civil rights heritage of Montgomery and Selma, Alabama. Through immersive storytelling, living history, historic churches, and expert-led tours, participants engaged with best-in-class experiences that inspired new ideas for enhancing Civil Rights tourism across the United States.
On October 28-30, 2025, we invite tourism development professionals, legislators, and civil rights site administrators to continue the journey in Atlanta, Georgia. This year’s conference will focus on strengthening connections, expanding the impact of the Civil Rights Trail, and shaping the future of our shared mission. Together, we will explore ways to:
- Foster increased collaboration among civil rights sites, states, and destination marketing organizations (DMOs).
- Highlight and promote the economic impact of Civil Rights Trail visitation.
- Drive greater awareness and engagement with civil rights destinations.
- Develop strategies to measure and increase visitation.
- Share resources and tools to support cross-promotion among sites.
- Expand organizational capacity and strengthen partnerships.
- Connect sites with resources such as toolkits, guides, and storytellers.
We look forward to your participation as we work to elevate civil rights tourism and ensure its enduring impact.
COSTS:
$695 per person plus travel expenses
BENEFITS:
Educational meeting, networking, and workshops
Discounted hotel rate at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta – “Hotel of Hope” -$159 plus tax
1 breakfast/1 lunch/2 dinners + coffee breaks
Connectivity Tours & Keynote Speakers
Transportation from the host hotel to the venues
DEADLINE: Registration closes September 15th or until sold out – please don’t delay. Space is limited to 100 delegates partners on a first-come, first-served basis.
REGISTRATION: If you have not received your registration link, please email Angelica De Stefano, [email protected].
HOTEL:
Hyatt Regency – “Hotel of Hope”
Click here to make your reservation
265 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
$159, plus tax
The deadline to make hotel reservations at the Hyatt Regency Hotel is 5 p.m. EST on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
In Partnership with
Sponsored by:
Connectivity Conference Schedule
October 28, 2025
Early Arrivals
Atlanta, GA
1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Registration
Pre Function Courtland Room – Hyatt Regency Hotel
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Board of Directors Meeting
Courtland Room – Hyatt Regency
6:00 PM
Buses depart to Historic Paschal’s
Hyatt Regency
6:15 PM – 9:00 PM
Opening Dinner at Historical Paschal’s
Paschal’s
All Delegates Welcome
October 29, 2025
8:00 AM
Buses depart to the National Center for Human & Civil Rights
Hyatt Regency
Breakfast will be served at the National Center for Human & Civil Rights
9:00 AM – 12:20 PM
Continuing the Journey Connectivity Workshop
National Center for Human & Civil Rights
• Welcome
Mark Ezell, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development; Chair, U.S. Civil Rights Trail Marketing Alliance
• The Economic Impact of the Civil Rights Trail Visitors
Esra Calvert, Founder and CIO, Esra Calvert Consulting
Aran Ryan, Director, Industry Studies, Tourism Economics (an Oxford Economics company)
• Best Practices for Community Connectivity
Moderator: Sheretha Bell, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Brand Strategy, Atlanta CVB
Rosemary Judkins, (The) Foundation of Freedom, Alabama Civil Rights
Dawn Dawson-House, Executive Director, WeGOJA Foundation
Frank D. Stevenson, Special Projects Administrator Tennessee Department of Tourism
• Multi-media Outreach: U.S. Civil Rights Trail Podcast Series
Tanner Latham, Co-Founder & Executive Producer, Ingredient
• Calling all Cultural Travelers on Group Travels
Brian Jewel, Vice President & Executive Editor, The Group Travel Leader, Inc.
• U.S. Civil Rights Trail Marketing Alliance – A Look Back at the Journey
Kelsey Anderson, Account Director, Luckie
• Building a Sustainable Alliance for the Future
Mark Ezell, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development; Chair, U.S. Civil Rights Trail Marketing Alliance
12:20 PM – 1:00 PM
Tour of the National Center for Human & Civil Rights
National Center for Human & Civil Rights
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Networking Lunch
National Center for Human & Civil Rights
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Keynote – Jill Savitt
National Center for Human & Civil Rights
Jill Savitt – President & CEO National Center for Human & Civil Rights
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
City of Progress Tour
Guided Tour Includes:
• Centennial Park drive highlighting Xernona Clayton Statue & Andrew Young Statue
• The Herndon Home
• ATL University Campuses for HBCU’s
• Booker T. Washington High School
• APEX Museum
• Original Paschal’s
• Big Bethel AME Church, WERD Radio & Madam C.J. Walker Museum
• MLK National Historic Park
• Auburn Ave
• Ebenezer Baptist Church
• Atlanta Beltline into historic Inman Park
• John Lewis Freedom Parkway
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Reception, Tour, Dinner & Speaker
The Carter Center & Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum
October 30, 2025
8:30 AM – 12:00PM