Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/113255
•pg_33-42__BMT_pg3-58 2/27/13 9:06 AM Page 41 United States. 2012 proved to be another great year for the festival with over 250,000 attendees. Essence extended their relationship with the city through 2014. Based on previous years estimates the festival generates over $170 million in economic impact for New Orleans. In total over 75 hotels were used with nearly 30,000 room nights. This event is the single largest gathering of African-Americans in the country. Not only do you hear the best in Hip Hop, R & B, Gospel and Jazz by some of the world's top talent Essence is also about empowerment through prayer and education with numerous seminars hosted by some of the best minds in the AfricanAmerican community. INDIANA BLACK EXPO ANNUAL SUMMER CELEBRATION This expo is one of the largest and most popular events in the country. Held in July, the 2012 expo attracted over 88,000 people with an estimated economic impact of over $44 million. The various symposiums with civic leaders cover everything from economics to political and social issues facing African-Americans. Entertainment is second to none with performances from some of the music worlds' biggest stars in hip-hop, Gospel, R & B and old school. BRONNER BROTHERS Bronner Brothers holds several significant events mainly on the east coast. Atlanta and Baltimore hosted events that drew thousands. The Mid Winter Hair Show held at the Georgia World Congress Center attracted 25,000 attendees. Based on previous years estimates this one show had over $17 million in economic impact on Atlanta. The Mid-Summer Show brought in even more with 55,000 people in attendance. Based on previous years, that is approximately $29 million dropped on the city of Atlanta. The Bronner Brothers is a privately held company whose mission is to pursue excellence by manufacturing and distributing hair care and skin products for African-Americans. Their website is bronnerbrothers.com. CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc was established in 1976 as a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy, research and educational institute. The Annual Legislative Conference is considered to be the premier African-American conference on policy issues. The ALC is a platform for AfricanAmerican members of Congress to share the progress of their work on legislative items and also allows for the exchange of ideas and how they relate to policy issues that are of critical concern to their constituents. CBC is held every September in Washington DC and draws 8,000 to 10,000 attendees. The 2012 event featured over 4,220 room nights using the host Grand Hyatt Washington and numerous properties in and around Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. TOM JOYNER FAMILY REUNION Put on and hosted by radio personality Tom Joyner, this family reunion attracts thousands each year. Now in its 11th year this reunion celebration was held in Orlando, FL August 30 through September 2, attracting over 5,000 people with 5,850 room nights according to the Orlando CVB. The projected economic impact was over $6.6 million. The host hotel for 2012 was the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. Other venues used include: SeaWorld and Universal Orlando. Past year's attendees include Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Levert and Brian McKnight. Past performers include Al Green, Earth Wind & Fire, and D. L. Hughley. This celebration features a family BBQ, a Family Fun Center, seminars and Sunday's Gospel Explosion. Also included are tickets to several Orlando area theme parks. AFRICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL The African Black Film Festival (ABFF) is held annually at the Ritz-Carlton on Miami's South Beach. According to organizers this year's event held in early July attracted over 5,000 guests. This is world's largest film festival dedicated to AfricanAmerican filmmakers. The ABFF attracts some of the industries top directorial, acting and producing talent. THE NATIONAL COALITION OF BLACK MEETING PLANNERS This is the preeminent organization for African-American meeting planners. They hold several conferences throughout they year. The 2012 Fall Educational Conference was held in Atlanta, November 28 – December 1, 2012. Over 500 people are expected to attend the premiere event for CVB's, hoteliers and others looking to network with African-American meeting planners. BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL Black College Football is a major draw for our Historically Black Colleges. These games are more than just a gridiron heavy weight bout, they are events in and of themselves that over several days that includes great food, dance, battles of the bands and so much more. One of the larger events is the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic run by 100 Black Men of America's Atlanta Chapter featuring two HBCUs. Sixty-five thousand people head to the Georgia Dome for the game. Economic impact for the city of Atlanta is between $25 and $30 million annually with approximately 2,500 total room nights. CIAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association was founded in 1912 as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association and is the oldest African-American athletic conference in the country. The hold numerous sporting events throughout the year including this tournament held in 2012 in Charlotte, February 27- March 3. This tournament generated 46,858 room nights with direct spending of over $32 million resulting in total economic output of over $50 million. OTHER PROMINENT AFRICAN-AMERICAN GATHERINGS WITH 1,000 ATTENDEES OR MORE National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives 100 Black Men of America Delta Sigma Theta (Biannual) Coalition of Black Trade Unionist B M & T ••• January/February 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 41