Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/5950
Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 52 ple to New Orleans and the CBC brought in 8,000 to Washington DC. We placed these in a sidebar simply because destinations don't have an opportunity to bid on their busi- ness. Several annual gatherings such as the Delta Sigma Theta sorority and The Links have bi-annual events so they have been removed from our top 25, but rest assured they will both reappear in our 2010 issue. The Delta's will visit New Orleans in 2010 and The Links will descend upon Detroit in the sum- mer of 2010. These sisters and their organization's are too big to ignore for any supplier. The Delta's national convention typically attracts 10,000 to 15,000 attendees and The Links will bring anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000. African-American's continue to be guided by our faith as religious gatherings once again dominate. The top 25 features professional groups, fraternities, sororities and governmental conferences. Also keep in mind most of these large organizations also have regional conferences that attract hundreds if not thou- sands. For example, the Links, Inc will have a regional con- ference in Detroit next June. Region 4 of the National Society of Black Engineers will conduct their annual confer- ence in Cincinnati during the month of November 2009. So there is opportunity for additional business that all suppliers should be aware of. And finally, many of the organizations below have local chapters who pitch their destination to the national office. For many suppliers, this would be a good place to start. 1. THE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION Founded in 1886, the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest African- American religious convention. According to the National 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 the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. (NBCUSA.) The annual Christian Educational ses- sions are held the week following the third Sunday in June in various cities throughout the United States. This training event consists of both inspira- tion and instruction. The National Baptist holds multiple gatherings annually in cities all across the country, with each conference at a separate locale. They occupy numerous spots on our list based on attendance. They host a series of national and regional events, a few of which are list- ed below. Check nationalbaptist.com website for other gatherings held throughout the year. The 104th National Baptist Congress of Christian Education Attendance: 55,000 Last/Current Convention Location: Detroit Convention Dates: June 17-25, 2009 Venues: Cobo Center Exhibit/Meeting Space: Over 700,000 sq. ft. plus numerous hotels Hotel: Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center and numerous others Airlines: Northwest and American Room Nights: 24,215 Estimated Direct Spending: $76 mil- lion Headquarters: (Congress President's office) Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 224 North Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Congress President: Dr. R.B. Holmes, Membership: 7.5 million Next Convention: Houston Convention Dates: June 21-25, 2010 Website: nationalbaptist.com 129th Annual National Baptist Convention Attendance: (est. 35,000 – 40,000) Last/Current Convention Location: Memphis Convention Dates: September 7-11, 2009 Venue: Cook Convention Center Hotels: Over a Dozen Properties Used Room Nights: 12,000 est. Airlines: American and Northwest Headquarters: 1700 Baptist World Center Drive, Nashville, TN 37207 President: Reverend Dr. William J. Shaw (president-elect Dr. Julius R. Scruggs) Membership: 7.5 million Next Convention Location: Kansas City, MO Convention Dates: September 6-10, 2010 Venue: Kansas City Convention Center Meeting Planner: Romona Riscoe Website: nationalbaptist.com Convention Dates: TBD —————————————— 2. ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ARABIC ORDER NOBLES MYSTIC SHRINE - ANNUAL CONVENTION This is a fraternal, social and charita- ble organization that embraces all the basic fundamentals and concepts of the Masonic Order. There is a strong drive within this organization for self- improvement, enjoyment within its and rank and unselfish giving of goods and services on both the local and national level. They donate to the NAACP, the Legal Defense Fund, the Urban League, United Negro College Fund and annual grants to institutions of higher learning, hospitals and medical research. Attendance: 15,000 Last/Current Convention Location: Atlanta Convention Dates: August 14-20, 2009 Venue: Georgia World Congress Center Hotels: Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Hyatt Regency, Sheraton, Westin Peachtree Room Nights: Not Provided Estimated Economic Impact: Not Provided Headquarters: 2239 Democrat Road, Memphis, TN 38132 Phone: (901) 395-0150 Leader: Oliver Washington, Jr., Imperial Potentate Next Convention: Tampa Convention Dates: August 13-23rd Hotels: 13 Meeting Planner: Frederick M. Bell Website: aeaonms.org ——————————————