CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Nearly 100 people are gathering at the College of Charleston this weekend to discuss how South Carolina’s Black communities can use culture and history to create tourism opportunities and build wealth.

The South Carolina African-American Tourism Conference, centered on culture, commerce and community, brings together community leaders and others interested in developing tourism experiences and connecting communities with resources.

Black tourism has a $2.4 billion economic impact in South Carolina and supports more than 26,000 jobs, according to conference organizers.

Kwadjo Campbell, chair of the South Carolina African-American Tourism Council, said the conference is designed to give communities practical tools to turn their ideas into tourism opportunities.

“People have dreams, and they don’t know how to implement those dreams,” Campbell said. “So this conference tries to help provide a road map for people to access their dreams.”

The conference includes workshops on finding funding, accessing grants available to nonprofits and designing authentic tourism experiences.

“We’ll have workshops on finding the money. We’ll have workshops on how to access grant money that’s out there for nonprofits that are in this space,” Campbell said. “We’ll have a workshop on designing authentic experiences so people can get ideas of what type of products can be.”

Campbell pointed to Charleston’s Liberty Hill community as one example of a neighborhood working to develop its tourism potential.

“Liberty Hill, they’re about to be on the historic register. And they’re developing a tourism marketing and management plan. They’ve started tourism in their community,” Campbell said.

He said developing marketing materials and digital resources can help communities make sure visitors know what they have to offer.

“So when people, visitors come here, being able to have marketing material out there, being happy to have digital materials out there,” Campbell said. “So, people can know who you are, know where you are, and know what you’re about and visit you, and hopefully spend some money with you.”

Campbell said the conference also aims to encourage communities to think creatively about what they can offer visitors.

“We want to open people’s imagination up as to what they can offer visitors when they come here,” he said.

The conference also focuses on marketing strategies and partnerships that can help communities connect with resources and participate in South Carolina’s tourism economy.

Friday’s sessions included information on becoming a tour guide in the City of Charleston and surrounding communities. Saturday’s programming will focus on helping communities capitalize on their culture and develop experiences for visitors.

One of Saturday’s highlights will also be an awards ceremony honoring state Rep. Wendell Gilliard and Cecil Williams of Orangeburg.

Events on Saturday will take place at the Wells Fargo Auditorium and other areas inside the Tate Center on the College of Charleston campus. Registration remains available online and in person at the opening event.