Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/44484
Before sharing our findings, I want to thank all the Convention and Visitors Bureaus for their unprecedented level of cooperation. While we still had a few stubborn holdouts this was the best year yet for gathering this information. As I mentioned in previous years our intent is not to pry or steal your propri- etary information but rather show you the possibilities and size of the African- American market in the hopes your organization can take advantage of the information provided. Faith-based organizations continue to lead the way with fully half of all attendees below gathering for a reli- gious event. All the major African- American religious groups are repre- sented there from the National Baptist, to the Progressive National Baptist, Church of God in Christ to the African Methodist Episcopal Church and more. Professional organizations are well represented with Blacks in Government, the National Black MBA Association and the National Society of Black Engineers. On the advocacy front the NAACP had an outstanding turnout at their annual convention in Los Angeles as did the National Urban League in Boston. All of the top fraternities and sororities are represented as well. In terms of destinations Orlando, Atlanta, Houston and Washington DC were the most popular, but St Louis had the single largest gathering hosting Church of God in Christ's Holy Convocation. A trend that we've reported in recent years and continues in 2011 is the prefer- ence for second-tier or smaller cities with solid infrastructure. Cincinnati, Atlantic City, Indianapolis, Birmingham, Jackson- ville and Tampa attracted some rather impressive groups. And 2012 promises to be no different, 1. CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST (COGIC) COGIC is one of our many faith-based groups that hold multiple conferences throughout the year. Many conferences draw at least 20,000. Several are listed here with detailed information on one listed below. COGIC has a history dating back well over 100 years ago and today boasts a membership into the millions. COGIC ministries extend to virtually every state and some 60 for- eign countries with multiple conferences throughout the year, three of which are listed below. 104th Holy Convocation Attendance: 35,000 Location: St Louis (Held annually in St Louis.) Convention Dates: October 31–November 9, 2011 Venue: America's Center Hotels: Over a Dozen Properties Room Nights: Not Reported Estimated Economic Impact: $35 million (based on previous years) International AIM Convention Attendance: 15,000 Last/Current Convention Location: Houston Convention Dates: July 4 -9, 2011 Venue: George R.Brown Convention Center Hotels: HiltonAmericas and numerous others Room Nights: 13,680 Estimated Economic Impact: $14.6 million (COGIC World Headquarters: 930 Mason Street, as New Orleans; Nashville; Greensboro and Charlotte, NC; Pittsburgh; and Denver have already attracted some members of this year's top 25. If you add groups with 1,000 attendees or more to the list of second-tier cities you can add, Columbia, SC; Baltimore and Miami to the list. Traditional conventions cities with multiple conferences of 1,000 or more attendees include Philadelphia, Atlanta, Orlando and New Orleans. And finally, here is the disclaimer. For the purposes of our reporting, we depended on the CVBs to provide most of the information in regards to the number of attendees and the esti- mated economic impact. Please keep in mind that the economic impact of a particular convention is germane to the areas in which the conference or con- vention is held. We encourage you to do your own homework using our research as a guide. Memphis,TN 38126 Phone: (901) 947-9300 Presiding Bishop: Charles E.Blake, Sr. Membership: 6 million Next AIM Convention: Birmingham,AL Next Convention Dates: July 1–6, 2012 Meeting Planner:AIMChairman—-J Drew. Sheard Website: cogic.org Leadership Conference Attendance: 2,500 Last/Current Convention: Birmingham,AL Convention Dates: January 17-20, 2011 Venue/Hotel: Sheraton Birmingham Room Nights: 820 Estimated Economic: Impact: $3.6 million —————————————— 2. THE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION, USA Founded in 1886, the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest African- American religious convention. According to theNational Baptist Convention, the mission of the Convention is to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ through preaching, teaching, and healing. The Congress of Christian Education is an auxiliary of theNational 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. Black Meetings & Tourism September/October 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 29