Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/5950
International Congress Attendance: 3,000 Last/Current Convention Location: Richmond, VA Convention Dates: April 15-18, 2009 Venue: Convention Center Hotels: Marriott, Omni, Doubletree Headquarters: 2081 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd, New York, NY 10029 Phone: (212) 866-1700 Chief Apostle: Bishop William Lee Bonner Presiding Apostle: Bishop James I. Clark, Jr. Next Convention: Atlanta Convention Dates: April 7-10, 2010 Hotels: Hyatt Regency Atlanta Convention Committee Chair: Deacon Everette Lowe Website: cooljc.org —————————————— 7. NAACP – ANNUAL CONVENTION (100TH ANNIVERSARY) The most visible of all Black organizations, is the NAACP. From its humble beginnings in a New York City apartment in 1909, the nation's oldest civil rights organization has long stood for social justice and fought to insure that African- American voices would be heard. The mission 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 discrimina- tion. This famed organization speaks out on myriad of issues such as dis- crimination in the hotel industry, the lack of minorities in television and film, and protecting voter rights and the recent economic meltdown as it pertains to African-Americans. Attendance: 9,000 Last/Current Convention Location: New York City Convention Dates: July 11-16, 2009 Venue/Hotel: Hilton, Sheraton, New York Marriott Room Nights: 16,200 Direct Spending: Not Provided Headquarters: 4805 Mt. Hope Dr., Baltimore, MD 21215 Chairman: Julian Bond Phone: (410) 580-5780 Membership: 300,000+ Next Convention: Kansas City, MO Dates: July 9-15, 2010 Meeting Planner: Ana Aponte- Curtis Website: NAACP.org —————————————— 8. CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST (COGIC) COGIC is one of our many faith- based groups that hold multiple con- ferences throughout the year. Many conferences draw at least 20,000. We've listed two here. COGIC has a history dating back well over 100 years ago and today boasts a mem- bership into the millions. COGIC ministries extend to virtually every state and some 60 foreign countries. Conferences on tap for 2009 and beyond include: The General Bishops Conference in Baltimore, National Leadership Conference in Phoenix, Annual Spring Call Meeting in Memphis, the Women's International Convention in Denver. The Holy Convocation is held annually in Memphis, but starting in 2010 the new home will be St Louis. The Holy Convention traditionally does not change locations on an annual basis, but it typically attracts over 50,000. Previous estimates of the Holy Convocation's economic impact on Memphis was $35 million annually. International AIM Convention Attendance: 8,500 Last/Current Convention Location: Tampa Convention Dates: June 26-July 5, 2009 Venue: Tampa Convention Center Hotels: 8 used – Headquarters Tampa Marriott Waterside Marina Room Nights: 8,856 Direct Spending: $4.8 million COGIC Offices of the General Secretary: 930 Mason Street, Memphis, TN 38126 Phone: (901) 947-9358 Presiding Bishop: Charles E. Blake, Sr. Membership: 6 million Next AIM Convention: Charlotte, NC Meeting Planner: Bishop Roy Dixon IMPORTANT GATHERINGS OF NOTE As mentioned in the introduction to the top 25 African-American conven- tions, we devoted a little space to events that don't necessarily fit the typi- cal 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, popular- ity, 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 United States. Despite a poor economy, Louisiana Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu's office reports that over 428,000 people descended on New Orleans in early July generating over $130 million in econom- ic impact for New Orleans. In total over 75 hotels were used with over 25,000 room nights. Not bad for a town still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. 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 African-American communi- ty. INDIANA BLACK EXPO 39TH ANNUAL SUMMER CELEBRATION This expo is one of the largest and most popular events in the country. Held in July, this expo attracted over 200,000 people using 29,000 room nights with an estimated economic impact of over $22 million. The various sympo- siums with civic leaders cover every- thing from economics to political and social issues facing African- Americans. Entertainment is second to none with performances from the likes of Sugar Hill Gang, Eric Benet, Maze with Frankie Beverly and more. BRONNER BROTHERS Bronner Brothers holds several sig- Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 54