Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/113255
•pg_33-42__BMT_pg3-58 2/27/13 9:06 AM Page 39 in 1796. Along with its emphasis and ministry here in the United States, the denomination has member churches on every continent except Australia. The church has a particular footprint in the West African countries of Ghana and Nigeria where they have set up clinics and schools. While the general conference is held every four years several states have annual conference attended by thousands from California to North Carolina. Attendance: 3,700 Last/Current Convention: Charlotte Convention Dates: July 18-24, 2012 Venue: Charlotte Convention Center Host Hotel: The Westin Charlotte Room Nights: 6,820 Estimated Economic Impact: $6.1 million National Headquarters: 3225 Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28269 Next Convention: TBD Website: amez.org ally. The mission of the PoCC is to provide a safe place for networking and development opportunities for people of color in independent schools. Attendance: 3,275 Last/Current Convention: Houston Convention Dates: December 6-8, 2012 Venue: George R. Brown Convention Center Room Nights: 4,677 Direct Visitor Impact: $3.2 million Headquarters: 1620 L Street NW, Suite 1100, Washington DC 20036 Phone: (202) 973-9700 Next Event Location: Washington DC Venue: Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center National Harbor Dates: December 5-7, 2013 Website: nais.org Email: pocc@nais.org 21. NATIONAL BLACK CATHOLIC CONGRESS 19. THE LINKS INCORPORATED – NATIONAL ASSEMBLY The Links, Incorporated, founded in 1946, is one of the oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African-Americans and persons of African ancestry. The Links, Inc. has a membership of more than 12,000 professional women of color serving in 274 chapters in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Bahamas. Through its philanthropic arm, The Links Foundation, Incorporated, the organization has contributed more than $25 million to charitable causes since its' founding. During this biennium, Links contributed 1.2 million documented service hours assisting communities throughout the United States, Africa and other developing countries. Attendance: 3,300 Last/Current Convention: Orlando Convention Dates: June 18 – July 4, 2012 Venue: Rosen Shingle Creek Room Nights: 5,868 Estimated Spending: $2.8 million Headquarters: 1200 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington DC, 20005 Phone: (202) 842-8686 National President: Margot James Copeland Membership: 12,000 Next Convention: TBD Website: linksinc.org 20. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS – PEOPLE OF COLOR CONFERENCE The People of Color Conference (PoCC) is part of the larger National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). NAIS is a non-profit organization that represents 1,400 independent schools and associations in the United States and internation- This organization is comprised of member organizations representing African-American Roman Catholics working in collaboration with the National Roman Catholic organizations. The group establishes an agenda for the evangelizations of African-Americans and to improve the mental, spiritual and physical conditions of African-Americans. Attendance: 3,000 Last/Current Convention: Indianapolis Convention Dates: July 19-22, 2012 Venue/Hotel: JW Marriott Room Nights: 2,760 Estimated Economic Impact: $2.6 million Headquarters: 320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 Website: nbccongress.org 22. NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF BLACK SCHOOL EDUCATORS (NABSE) – ANNUAL CONFERENCE The NABSE is the nation's premier non-profit organization devoted to furthering the academic success primarily of children of African descent. This organization boasts an outreach to more than 10,000 preeminent educators including teachers, administrators, superintendents as well as corporate and institutional members. The primary goals and objectives of the organization are; to promote and facilitate the education of all students with a special focus on African-Americans, establish a coalition of African-American educators and others directly involved in the education process, create a forum for the exchange of ideas and strategies to improve opportunities for African-American educators and students, and identify and develop African-American professionals who will assume leadership positions in education and influence public policy. Attendance: 3,000 Last/Current Convention Location: Nashville B M & T ••• January/February 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 39