Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/113255
•pg_33-42__BMT_pg3-58 2/27/13 9:06 AM Page 33 1. CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST (COGIC) COGIC is one of our many faith-based groups that hold multiple conferences throughout the year. Many conferences draw at least 20,000. Several are listed here with detailed information on one listed below. COGIC has a history dating back well over 100 years ago and today boasts a membership into the millions. COGIC ministries extend to virtually every state and some 60 foreign countries with multiple conferences throughout the year, three of which are listed below. BY MICHAEL BENNETT Boston Convention Center What a year for African-American meetings and conventions. Attendance is up across the board and all signs point to an even better 2013. After years of steady decline followed by a bumpy recovery, 2012 was a welcome relief. Meetings and conventions are the lifeblood for many in the AfricanAmerican community. Even during tough economic times we found a way to affirm or reaffirm our faith in the "All Mighty" or enjoy the networking opportunities and career building of attending professional conferences. The growing confidence in our economy and rise in employment, while uneven certainly appears to be providing the impetus for many to hit the road once again. One can only hope our wounded economy continues to heal. Before we get into the findings, Black Meetings and Tourism would like to thank all of our convention and visitor bureau partners for their timely response to our information request. Without our CVB friends we would not be able to pass on this valuable information. Like previous years our religious faith paved the way in terms of overall attendance at meetings and conventions. Half of the top 10 gatherings were faith-based groups such as Church of God in Christ, the National Baptist Convention, USA, Church of our Lord Jesus Christ and a couple of events held by Bishop T.D. Jakes. In total over 200,000 people attended religious events from our Top 25. When you factor in the hundreds of events with less than 1,000 attendees it's no small wonder that many destinations are clamoring for this business. On the professional front the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) convention held in Pittsburgh attracted over 9,500 attendees. As a sign of an improving economy, Pittsburgh reported that Alcoa hired nearly 30 NSBE attendees. Over 8,800 members attended The National Black MBA's in Indianapolis. Overall it was a very good year for most professional associations. Fraternities and sororities, a big part of the African-American market, held numerous events that attracted thousands. For example, Alpha Kappa Alpha had events in Sacramento, Detroit and several regions across the 105th Holy Convocation Attendance: 35,000 Location: St Louis Convention Dates: November 5- 9, 2012 Venue: America's Center Hotels: Over a Dozen Properties Room Nights: Not Reported Estimated Economic Impact: $35 million (based on previous years) International AIM Convention Attendance: 15,000 (Based on Previous Year) Last/Current Convention Location: Birmingham Convention Dates: July 2-6, 2012 Venue: Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Hotels: Numerous Hotels Room Nights: Unknown Estimated Economic Impact: Unknown COGIC World Headquarters: 930 Mason Street, Memphis, TN 38126 Phone: (901) 947-9300 Presiding Bishop: Charles E. Blake, Sr. Membership: 6 million Next AIM Convention: Baltimore Next Convention Dates: July 1-5, 2013 Meeting Planner: AIM Chairman—-J Drew. Sheard Website: cogic.org Annual Women's International Convention and Crusade Attendance: 15,000 Last/Current Convention: Atlanta Convention Dates: May 28 – June 1, 2012 Venue: Georgia World Congress Center Hotels: Numerous Room Nights: Not Reported Estimated Economic Impact: Unknown Leadership Conference Attendance: 2,000 Last/Current Convention: Sacramento Convention Dates: January 16-19, 2012 Venue: Sacramento Convention Center Room Nights: 2,525 Estimated Economic Impact: $1.1 million 2. THE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION, USA B M & T ••• January/February 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 33