Gulf Shores, Ala. — (GSN) — This fall, thousands of Jimmy Buffett fans will gather in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, for the annual Meeting of the Minds convention. Running from Wednesday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, this year's event features the theme "The Tiki Bar is Open".

Organized by the Parrot Heads in Paradise (PHiP) for members of its sanctioned clubs, registration for the convention is currently open and will close on Sept. 15. Tourism officials expect around 3,000 attendees to fill local venues across Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan.

While the convention was historically held in Key West and New Orleans, it moved to Gulf Shores in 2023 to connect with Jimmy Buffett's deep Alabama roots. The Hangout serves as the central headquarters for the celebration, with major events also taking place at LuLu's and the Flora-Bama.

Musical Lineup

The extensive roster of live performers includes:

• Peter Mayer, Nadirah Shakoor, and Will Kimbrough
• Jimmy & The Parrots and The Boat Drunks
• Django Walker, Eric Erdman, Sunny Jim, and Rosie & the Revival
• Johnny Russler and the Beach Bum Band
• Sister Hazel, Niko Moon, and Gramps Morgan
• Mac McAnally, the Peter Mayer Group, and Club Trini & The Coral Reefer Band
• Jerry Diaz & Hanna's Reef, Donny Brewer, Jesse Rice, and Gary Roland & the Landsharks Band

Schedule Highlights

• Tuesday, Oct. 20 (Early Arrivals): The "Tuesday On The Island" party, hosted by Donny Brewer, takes place at LuLu's from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m..
• Thursday, Oct. 22:
• Breakout sessions run from 8:00 a.m. to noon in the Coastal Ballroom at the Embassy Suites (credentials required).
• The Celebrity TropOlympics will be held at The Hangout beach area from 10:00 a.m. to noon, where attendees and musicians compete in lighthearted games to raise money for charity.
• PHiP's long-running "Party with a Purpose" tradition continues with organized volunteer opportunities and a community blood drive.
• Saturday, Oct. 24:
• The "Skippin' & Sippin'" event kicks off at 8:00 a.m..
• The PHiP General Membership Meeting takes place from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the Hangout Main Stage.

For more details on lodging, registration, and schedules, visit MOTM.rocks.

Jimmy Buffett’s Deep Connections to Gulf Shores

Jimmy Buffett's relationship with the Alabama Gulf Coast, particularly Gulf Shores, was highly personal and went back to his youth. Born in Mississippi and raised in Mobile and Fairhope, Alabama, Buffett spent his formative years walking these beaches, frequently calling Gulf Shores the beach of his "misspent youth". The local coastal waters, lifestyle, and characters heavily inspired his signature "island escapism" musical style.

Key connections to Gulf Shores include:

• The Original Margaritaville: While Key West is widely considered the home of Margaritaville, the very first Margaritaville restaurant actually opened in Gulf Shores in June 1984. Known as J.B.'s Margaritaville, the 180-seat bar and restaurant sat at the corner of Hwy. 59 and Fort Morgan Road. Built with his friend Dan Sweet, Jimmy Buffett was directly involved in setting the atmosphere and performed at the grand opening alongside Greg "Fingers" Taylor. Though that venue eventually closed, Buffett credited it from the stage in 2010 as the crucial learning experience that paved the way for his successful global franchise.
• LuLu's Restaurant: Jimmy's younger sister, Lucy Buffett ("LuLu"), is the owner of LuLu's, a massive, highly successful waterfront restaurant on the Intracoastal Waterway in Gulf Shores. Jimmy supported his sister's business and played several special, unannounced shows there over the years. This included playing as "Freddie and the Fishsticks" in June 2010.
• The 2010 BP Oil Spill Benefit Concert: Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Buffett wanted to lift the spirits of his home region. He performed a massive, free benefit concert on Gulf Shores Public Beach on July 11, 2010. Backed by the Coral Reefer Band and joined by guests Allen Toussaint and Jesse Winchester, the show drew over 30,000 people to the beach and was broadcast live on CMT.
• The Flora-Bama: Located right on the Alabama-Florida line, the iconic Flora-Bama lounge was one of Buffett's favorite local hangouts. He frequently stopped by when visiting home and occasionally got on stage to sing.
• The "Son of a Son of a Sailor" Exhibition: Highlighting his local legacy, the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf in nearby Mobile is launching a permanent, 6,000-square-foot immersive exhibition titled Jimmy Buffett: Son of a Son of a Sailor Experience on September 12, 2026. The museum sits directly across the river from where Buffett's parents worked at the local dry dock.