Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/26753
1. The National Baptist Convention Founded in 1886, theNational Baptist Convention,USA, Inc. is the nation’s oldest and largestAfrican-American reli- gious convention. According to the National Baptist Convention, the mission of the Convention is to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ through preaching, teach- ing, and healing. The Congress of Christian Education is an auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. (NBCUSA.) The annual Christian Educational sessions are held the week following the third Sunday in June in various cities throughout the United States. The National Baptist holds multiple gatherings annually in cities all across the country. Two of the larger ones are listed below. The 105th National Baptist Congress of Christian Education Attendance: 17,000 Last/Current Convention Location: Houston Convention Dates: June 21-25, 2010 Venues: Reliant Park, George R. Brown Convention Center Hotel: 2 Primary Room Nights: 12,200 Estimated Direct Spending: $11.6 million Headquarters: 1700 Baptist World Center Drive, Nashville, TN 37207 Congress President: Dr. George W. Waddles Membership: 7.5 million Next Convention: Indianapolis Convention Dates: June 20-24, 2011 Website: nationalbaptist.com 130thAnnual National Baptist Convention Attendance: 15,000 Last/Current Convention Location: Kansas City,MO Convention Dates: September 6-10, 2010 Venue: Kansas City Convention Center Hotels: 5 Room Nights: 12,000 Estimated Economic Impact: $10 million Airlines: American and Northwest Headquarters: 1700 Baptist World Center Drive, Nashville,TN 37207 President: Reverend Dr.William J. Shaw (President Dr. Julius R. Scruggs) Membership: 7.5 million Next Convention Location: Orlando Convention Dates: September 5-9, 2011 Venue: Orlando Convention Center Meeting Planner: Romona Riscoe Website: nationalbaptist.com 2. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority - 50th Biennial National Convention Twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University founded Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in 1913. The sorority currently has over 900 chapters located in theUnited States, England, Japan,Germany, theVirgin Islands,Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Republic of Korea. Their mission is to provide assistance and support through established pro- grams in local communities throughout the world. The major programs of the sorority are based on a “Five Point Thrust” of: economic development; educational develop- ment; international awareness and involvement; physical and mental health; and political awareness and involve- ment. The Deltas hold their conferences bi-annually. Attendance: 15,391 Last/Current Convention Location: New Orleans Convention Dates: July 29 - Aug 4, 2010 Venue: New Orleans Morial Convention Center Hotels: Over a dozen Room Nights: 25,008 Estimated Economic Impact: $18.1 million Next Convention Location: TBD Headquarters: 1707 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington DC 20009 Phone: (202) 296-2400 National President: Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre Membership: 200,000 (over 900 chapters) Meeting Planner: Vida Smith Special Note: Pitches are handled through local chapters to national office Website: deltasigmatheta.org 3. Blacks in Government (BIG) BIGis an advocate of equal opportunity and profession- al development for Black government employees at the local, state and federal levels. BIG, established in 1976 is mandated to promote equity, excellence and opportunity through employee advocacy, professional development and empowerment ofAfrican-Americans and others dedicated to justice and equity at all levels of government. BIG’s National Training Conferences are attended by many who reside in foreign countries such as Japan, England, Germany,Korea and Italy as well as the United States and its territories. Attendance: 15,000 Last/Current Convention Location: Kansas City,MO Convention Dates: Aug 15-20, 2010 Venue: Kansas City Convention Center Hotels: 5 Room Nights: 12,000 Economic Impact: $10 million Headquarters: 3005 GeorgiaAve.,NW,Washington DC 20001 National President: J.David Reeves Phone: (202) 667-3280 Membership: 8,000+ Next Convention Destination: Boston Next Convention Dates: August 22-26, 2011 Meeting Planner: JamesWilson,Office Staff Director Website: bignet.org 4. Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine – Annual Convention Black Meetings & Tourism January/February 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 21