Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/113255
•pg_33-42__BMT_pg3-58 2/27/13 9:06 AM Page 40 Convention Dates: November 14-18, 2012 Venue/Hotel: Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Room Nights: 8,000 Direct Spending: Not Calculated Phone: (202) 608-6315 Headquarters: 310 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington DC 20003 President: Carrol A. Thomas, Jr. Membership: 10,000 Next Convention: Detroit Meeting Planner: Quentin Lawson, Executive Director Website: nabse.org 23. NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE – ANNUAL CONVENTION The National Urban League was established in 1910 and is the nation's oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African-Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. Today, the National Urban League spearheads the non-partisan efforts of its local affiliates. There are over 100 local affiliates in 35 states and the District of Columbia providing direct services to more than 2 million people nationwide through programs, advocacy and research. The mission of the Urban League movement is to enable African-Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights. Attendance: 2,500 Last/Current Convention Location: New Orleans Convention Dates: July 25 – 28, 2012 Venue: Morial Convention Center Hotels: Hyatt Regency Room Nights: 6060 Estimated Economic Impact: $2.9 million Headquarters: 120 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005 President and CEO: Marc Morial Phone: (212) 558-5300 Membership: 2.5 million Next Convention: Philadelphia Convention Dates: July 24-27, 2013 Venue: Pennsylvania Convention Center Vice President Event Marketing: Michael Thompson Website: nul.org Attendance: 2,500 Last/Current Convention: Minneapolis Convention Dates: July 5 – 12, 2012 Venue: Minneapolis Convention Center Hotels: Hilton Room Nights: 5,000 Estimated Economic Impact: $2.8 million Headquarters: 3951 Snapfinger Parkway, Decatur, Georgia 30035 Phone: (404) 284-5533 Next Conclave: TBD Planner: Dr. John Epps, Director Website: omegapsiphifraternity.org 25. GOSPEL MUSIC WORKSHOP OF AMERICA (GMWA) – ANNUAL WORKSHOP Founded by the late Rev. James Cleveland in 1967, The GMWA is the largest International music convention of its kind. Each year thousands assemble in a teaching, learning and performance-oriented environment from over 185 chapters across the United States, United Kingdom, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. According to GMWA, 75 percent of the recordings on Billboard Magazine's gospel charts are written, arranged, produced and/or performed by GMWA members. One highlight of the annual convention – the National Mass Choir made up of 2,000 to 3,000 vocalists from chapters all over the world produce a new recording after just 16 hours of rehearsal. Attendance: 1,300 Last/Current Convention Location: Nashville Convention Dates: July 7-13, 2012 Venue/Hotel: Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center Room Nights: 5,000 (Projected) Economic Impact: Not Calculated Headquarters: 3908 West Warren, Detroit MI, 48208 Chairman: Bishop Albert L. Jamison, Sr. Phone: (313) 898-7833 Membership: 75,000 Next Convention: Cincinnati Convention Dates: July 20-26, 2013 Venue: Duke Energy Convention Center Website: gmwanational.net 24. OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY – GRAND CONCLAVE This is the first international fraternal organization to be founded on the campus of a historically black college – Howard University in 1911. This fraternity has participated in numerous key events through American history including the fight for civil rights and social justice. Today, Omega Psi Phi has over 700 chapters throughout the United States, Bermuda, Virgin Islands, Korea, Japan, Liberia, Germany and Kuwait. Famous Omegas include Bill Cosby, Langston Hughes, Michael Jordan, Tom Joyner, Steve Harvey, Jesse Jackson and Shaquille O'Neal. 40 IMPORTANT GATHERINGS OF NOTE We devoted a little space to events that don't necessarily fit the typical definition of a convention. Many of the events below are held in the same location annually, which is the main reason some did not appear in our top 25. The shear impact, popularity, importance, social and economic significance requires that we bring these gatherings to your attention. ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL Sponsored by Essence magazine, this is the largest event celebrating African-American culture and achievement in the B M & T ••• January/February 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com