Birmingham Alabama is Magical

Merrill Stewart of Stewart Perry was kind enough to show me around Birmingham, Alabama recently, and to sponsor my speaking at the Green Building Focus event in town. It was an AMAZING trip. I left with a whole new view of the Magic City, a city with over 100 years of history, that started almost out of nowhere when iron ore was discovered in their mountains.

From my vista atop Vulcan, I saw a city with the University of Alabama, Birmingham right at its heart (they have a world-class children’s hospital there), and I saw the beautiful new Railroad Park that opens in a few weeks. I visited the great new test kitchens run by Alagasco, and we drove by the historic 16th Street Baptist Church, a reminder of one darker moment in the history of our country.

I met so many wonderful people there, like Stacey Hood and the Eat B’Ham mystery person, and Andre Natta and Ike Pigott, and Sarah Robinson(and many more). I met amazing people like Cathy Crenshaw and Marsha Folsom and the people of the Birmingham Business Alliance. I met the team from Holland and Holland, who made me an amazing book of what I saw in the city and what I didn’t yet know about.

I could go on like this for a while, but I won’t. Instead, just know this: Birmingham, Alabama, is very much an interesting place of growth and magic and it has a future that I think is worth seeing. I’ve had a chance to visit a few places in the south lately (hello, Memphis!), and I think there’s a lot of really interesting and innovative new growth happening there. In Alabama, for instance, I heard about the Mercedes-Benz plant, the Honda Plant, and all the other manufacturing going on down there. Detroit is the car capital of the US? I’m wondering. (love to the 313 – just teasing you)

What comes next? I don’t know, but I’m getting involved with Birmingham and a few other places that I think have their finger on growth, adaptive reuse, development, and more. I will be back in October for another event, so we’ll see.

Here’s a video I shot of my trip that will be featured on Man on the Go soon:

Very special thanks to Merrill Stewart for bringing me to Birmingham.

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http://jessicarandazza.com Jessica Randazza

Thank you so much for this post, Chris. As a girl who grew up in Birmingham, it’s a daily struggle to get people to understand what a truly fantastic place the Magic City is and why I have such pride in having the distinct pleasure to grow up there.

While it’s a small city, it’s rich in charm and constantly opens itself up to one great find after the next. I believe so much in that city, and the brilliant people that live there.

So, again, thank you. Your post means so much to me.
http://blog.webconsuls.com/ Judy Helfand

HI Chris,
This is a real “Saturday Morning Post.” So much you have shared with us. What I like most is that they made an old fashioned scrapbook for you. Just think, when ever you want to recall this “magical” trip you can open the book, touch the railroad spike, glance at the photos and the magic will return…just like the old days.
I hope someday to visit Birmingham. Last May you introduced me to Jorja White of Living Beyond the Pale. She lives in Birmingham. Everyday I am thankful for meeting Jorja and YOU.

Have a great weekend.
Judy
Chris Brogan (testing)

Testing 1 2 3
http://twitter.com/CatherinVentura Catherine Ventura

Great post, Chris. Birmingham was a revelation for me too when I visited. Another thing I loved: the cool retro architecture.
http://blog.webconsuls.com/ Judy Helfand

Chris,
This is your QA person testing.
Judy
http://suwanneerefugee.blogspot.com Suwannee Refugee

The South is where its at. There’s a reason places like Pitt and Detroit are losing population while most of the South is seeing massive growth. Nice folks. Good weather, for the most part. Great places to raise a family. Lower cost of living.
http://blog.webconsuls.com/ Judy Helfand

Chris,
This is a test. 08/28/2010 8:18PDT Tucson
Judy
Phyllis Neill

It was so great to meet you while you were here Chris, and I don’t think we can thank you enough for telling your audience about the hidden jewel that is Birmingham. We look forward to your return visit!

Phyllis Neill, WeMentor Social Media Management
http://www.wementorsmm.com
http://blog.webconsuls.com/ Judy Helfand

This is a test from CHROME.
http://blog.webconsuls.com/ Judy Helfand

Chris,
Had another thought. I put a link in my original post because I was mentioning how you introduced me to Jorja White. I am going to try putting in a link and see if I receive the CAPTCHA again. Jorja is from Birmingham Living Beyond the Pale.
Judy
http://twitter.com/ree_tweets Sheree Martin

We loved having you in Birmingham, Chris. And look forward to a return visit.

Stay tall.

@ree_tweets
Pingback: Chris Brogan’s Thoughts on Birmingham | Thinking Out Loud
Virginia

I just received this link from a friend in Cincinnati. Sorry I didn’t get to meet you while you were in B’ham but thank you for your kind words about our city. I plan to link post a link here from my Birmingham Alabama Daily Photoblog tomorrow. You are so right, Birmingham is a beautiful and friendly place.

Come back to see us!
Virginia

http://socialmediabirmingham.com Social Media Birmingham

*wave* Good to see you online Ms. Virginia!

http://www.thyroiddallas.com/ luis23

I have bee trying to visit Birmingham for a while but after seeing this video it makes me go right now. I am going to try the Hotel you mention on the video…What is the best time to visit Birmingham?

http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

NOT SUMMER. : )
http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

NOT SUMMER. : )
http://socialmediabirmingham.com Social Media Birmingham

Chris is right. September thru November and March thru May are the best times….

http://www.bestrelationshipsever.com Lauren Sierra

This woman on the go is please to hear about another southern locale to check out. I’ve been loving the south and this place was not on my radar – muchas gracias.

Keep on truckin’ man on the go!
Pingback: Birmingham Alabama is Magical | Neighbor Helps
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The HAM rocks! Glad you had an amazing time in our great city!
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Birmingham, Alabama, is very much an interesting place of growth and magic and it has a future that I think is worth seeing.
http://findahandbags.com/ FreeRunning

What comes next? I don’t know, but I’m getting involved with Birmingham and a few other places that I think have their finger on growth, adaptive reuse, development, and more.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SCGGB4TRJPJORCXZNZD46XO5D4 Chuck Jones

Genesis allows you to quickly and easily create amazing websites with WordPress. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced developer, Genesis offers a safe and foundation of search engine optimized.

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http://www.blackfridayplanet.com/ William Hushburn

I haven’t been there but I guess from the views and pictures that I saw, I think it is a nice place to visit.
http://www.blackfridayplanet.com/ William Hushburn

Thanks for this information.
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Birmingham Alabama is Magical

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