Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/44484
Venue:America's Center Hotels: Eight Properties including Roberts Mayfair Wyndham, Renaissance Grand, Hyatt Regency St Louis at theArch" and others Room Nights: Not Reported Economic Impact/Spending: Not Reported Headquarters: 205 Dangerfield Road, Alexandria, VA 22314 Executive Director: Carl Mack Phone: (703) 549-2207 Membership: 20,000 Next Convention: Pittsburgh Dates:March 28 –April 1, 2012 Meeting Planner:Al Rutherford Email: meeting@nsbe.org Website: nsbe.org —————————————— 10. NAACP – ANNUAL CONVENTION The most visible of all Black organizations, is the NAACP. From its humble beginnings in a NewYork City apartment in 1909, the nation's oldest civil rights organiza- tion has long stood for social justice and fought to insure that African-American voices would be heard. The mis- sion of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. This famed organization speaks out onmyriad of issues such as discrimination in the hotel industry to the recent econom- ic meltdown as it pertains toAfrican-Americans. Attendance: 10,000 Last/Current Convention Location: LosAngeles Convention Dates: July 23-28, 2011 Venue: LosAngeles Convention Center Hotels:Wilshire Grand Hotel, and J.W.Marriott Room Nights: 9,200 Estimated Economic Impact: $8.2 million Headquarters: 4805Mt.Hope Dr.,Baltimore,MD 21215 Chairman: Julian Bond President: Benjamin Jealous Phone: (410) 580-5780 Membership: 300,000+ Next Convention: Houston Dates: July 5–13, 2012 Venue: George R.Brown Convention Center Meeting Planner: AnaAponte-Curtis Website: NAACP.org —————————————— 11. BLACK ADVENTIST YOUTH ASSOCIATION – UNITED YOUTH CONGRESS Themission is to equip and empower an emerging gen- eration of youth leaders to impact their church and com- munity. This mission is accomplished through regional training events held around North America, networking, professional development and advocacy. Attendance: 10,000 32 Last/Current Convention: Orlando Convention Dates:April 5–10, 2011 Venue: Orange County Convention Center Hotels: Rosen Centre Hotel (Headquarters) Room Nights: 7,225 Estimated Spending: $1.4 million Headquarters: 3301 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, KS 66104 Next Convention: 2016 Website: baydaonline.org —————————————— 12. OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY – CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE IMPORTANT GATHERINGS OF NOTE We've devoted a little space to events that don't nec- essarily 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 gath- erings to your attention. Essence Music Festival Sponsored by Essence magazine, this is the largest event celebrating African-American culture and achieve- ment in the United States. 2011 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 $29 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 HipHop,R&B,Gospel and Jazz by some of theworld's top talent, Essence is also about empowerment through prayer and education with numerous seminars hosted by some of the bestminds in theAfrican-American community. Indiana Black Expo 41st Annual Summer Celebration This expo is one of the largest andmost popular events in the country. Held in July, this expo traditionally attracts over 200,000 people using approximately 30,000 room nights with an estimated economic impact of over $20mil- lion. 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 Black Meetings & Tourism September/October 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com