International Holy Convocation Moves to St Louis in 2010
The Commercial Appeal reports that after 102 years the Holy Convocation leaves Memphis for the show me state.
COGIC moving annual convocation from Memphis to St. Louis in 2010
By Jody Callahan (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
After holding their annual convocation in Memphis since 1907, leaders of the Church of God in Christ plan to take it to St. Louis in 2010.
The group's leadership announced the decision late Tuesday after a closed meeting in Memphis.
COGIC will still hold its annual gathering, which can attract upwards of 50,000 people, in the Bluff City in November, marking 102 straight years they've made the trek to Memphis.
But next year it's on to St. Louis, which made a better offer, COGIC leaders said.
Brandon Porter of COGIC said the group didn't feel Memphis was "fair" in its dealings.
"It's the lack of fair accommodations," he said. "The delegates are still not getting the kind of concessions that other cities are offering a convention of our size, as relates to hotel costs, fees waived for convention halls and so forth."
The decision disappointed Memphis leaders.
"Anytime you got a group like that that leaves, it's a negative. We're sorry to see it happen," city Housing and Community Development Director Robert Lipscomb said.
Losing the convocation will cost the area at least $35 million in revenue annually.
"We're very disappointed to lose the convocation," said Kevin Kane, head of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau. "They're the largest convention on an annual basis in the city. It's going to be very difficult to replace a piece of business that size."
Memphis has long been a special place for COGIC, with member Calvin Burns once saying, "Memphis is our Jerusalem. This is our Holy Land."
Charles Harrison Mason founded the organization in the 1890s. In 1907, Mason reorganized the church and established its headquarters in the Bluff City, where convocations have been held every year since.
Kane said losing the convocation to a city offering a sweeter deal was a consequence of a competitive business.
"It's the world we live in. It's a very competitive environment. You've got cities with bigger and larger convention facilities," he said.
COGIC moving annual convocation from Memphis to St. Louis in 2010
By Jody Callahan (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
After holding their annual convocation in Memphis since 1907, leaders of the Church of God in Christ plan to take it to St. Louis in 2010.
The group's leadership announced the decision late Tuesday after a closed meeting in Memphis.
COGIC will still hold its annual gathering, which can attract upwards of 50,000 people, in the Bluff City in November, marking 102 straight years they've made the trek to Memphis.
But next year it's on to St. Louis, which made a better offer, COGIC leaders said.
Brandon Porter of COGIC said the group didn't feel Memphis was "fair" in its dealings.
"It's the lack of fair accommodations," he said. "The delegates are still not getting the kind of concessions that other cities are offering a convention of our size, as relates to hotel costs, fees waived for convention halls and so forth."
The decision disappointed Memphis leaders.
"Anytime you got a group like that that leaves, it's a negative. We're sorry to see it happen," city Housing and Community Development Director Robert Lipscomb said.
Losing the convocation will cost the area at least $35 million in revenue annually.
"We're very disappointed to lose the convocation," said Kevin Kane, head of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau. "They're the largest convention on an annual basis in the city. It's going to be very difficult to replace a piece of business that size."
Memphis has long been a special place for COGIC, with member Calvin Burns once saying, "Memphis is our Jerusalem. This is our Holy Land."
Charles Harrison Mason founded the organization in the 1890s. In 1907, Mason reorganized the church and established its headquarters in the Bluff City, where convocations have been held every year since.
Kane said losing the convocation to a city offering a sweeter deal was a consequence of a competitive business.
"It's the world we live in. It's a very competitive environment. You've got cities with bigger and larger convention facilities," he said.
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