Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/5950
Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 53 3. NATIONAL BLACK MBA ASSOCIATION (NBMBAA) – 31ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE The NBMBAA vision is to be an organization that leads in the cre- ation of economic and intellectual wealth for Blacks. Their mission as a professional membership organiza- tion of Black graduates with MBAs, advanced degrees, and entrepre- neurs, is to increase the number as well as the diversity of successful Blacks in the business community. Established in 1970, the NBMBAA is dedicated to the development of partnerships that result in the cre- ation of intellectual and economic wealth in the Black community. Attendance: 15,000 Last/Current Convention Location: New Orleans Convention Dates: Sept 22-26, 2009 Venue: Ernest Morial Convention Center Hotels: Over a Dozen New Orleans Properties Room Nights: 16,480 Economic Impact: $17.6 million Headquarters: 180 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60601 Phone: (312) 236-2622 President and CEO: Barbara L. Thomas Membership: 8,000 (representing 95,000 MBA's) Next Convention: Los Angeles Convention Dates: September 2010 Meeting Planner: Bridgitti Knox, CMP Website: nbmbaa.org —————————————— 4. GOSPEL MUSIC WORK- SHOP OF AMERICA (GMWA) – ANNUAL WORKSHOP Founded by the late Rev. James Cleveland in 1967, The GMWA is the largest International music conven- tion of its kind. Each year thousands assemble in a teaching, learning and performance-oriented environment from over 185 chapters across the United States, United Kingdom, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. According to GMWA, 75 percent of the recordings on Billboard Magazine's gospel charts are written, arranged, produced and/or per- formed by GMWA members. One highlight of the annual convention – the National Mass Choir made up of 2,000 to 3,000 vocalists from chapters all over the world produce a new recording after just 16 hours of rehearsal. This convention has been the training grounds for such con- temporary gospel artists Kirk Franklin and John P. Kee. Attendance: 15,000-20,000 Last/Current Convention Location: Cincinnati Convention Dates: July 25-August 1, 2009 Venue/Hotel: Duke Energy Center Room Nights: est. 12,000 Economic Impact: est. $3.5 million Headquarters: 3908 West Warren, Detroit MI, 48208 Chairman: Bishop Albert L. Jamison, Sr. Phone: (313) 898-7833 Membership: 75,000 Next Convention: Cincinnati Convention Dates: July 24-30, 2010 Convention Manager: Mark Smith Website: gmwanational.org —————————————— 5. FULL GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Over 25,000 people attended the first Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship at the Louisiana Superdome in 1994. From the vision the Holy Spirit first impressed upon Founder and International Presiding Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. back in 1992 this Fellowship continues to grow in prestige and influence. Among the Fellowship's major initiatives since 1994 include church planting in Africa and India, the dispensation of multiple $5,000 grants to strug- gling churches and the development of the Full Gospel Baptist Sunday School Curriculum. Attendance: 10,000 Last/Current Convention: Atlanta Convention Dates: June 2009 Venue: Georgia World Congress Center Host Hotel: Omni at CNN Center Room Nights: Not Provided Economic Impact: Not Provided Headquarters: 2240 Simon Bolivar St., New Orleans, LA 70113 International Presiding President: Bishop Paul S. Morton Phone: (404) 288-0994 Next Convention: Atlanta Dates: July 7-9, 2010 Venue: TBD Meeting Planner: Elder Mary Ann Williams Website: fullgospelbaptist.org —————————————— 6. CHURCH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST OF THE APOSTOLIC FAITH – ANNUAL CONVOCATION The church started in 1919, under the guidance of Bishop Robert C. Lawson, in New York City. The church quickly outgrew the space for worship as the congregation jumped to 200. Ministers and preachers were sent across the globe carrying the apostolic mes- sage. The church on 124th Street and 7th Avenue in New York is known as the "Mother Church" of the Churches of our Lord Jesus Christ. This group has numerous gatherings of varying sizes all across the nation. 90th International Holy Convocation Attendance: 10,000 Last/Current Convention: Columbia, SC Convention Dates: July 21-25, 2009 Venue: Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Colonial Life Arena Hotels: Clarion Hotel Downtown, Courtyard by Marriott Columbia Downtown at USC, Embassy Suites Columbia – Greystone, and numer- ous others Room Nights: 2,500 Direct Spending/Economic Impact: $1.1 million Next Convention: Orlando Dates: July 21-25, 2010 Venue/Hotel: Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center Meeting Planner: William Wilkens