{"id":10775,"date":"2024-12-24T06:03:33","date_gmt":"2024-12-24T06:03:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/secureuser.net\/gctministries-cogic\/?p=10775"},"modified":"2024-12-24T06:08:40","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T06:08:40","slug":"cogic-annual-holy-convocation-returns-to-memphis-in-november-and-could-face-transportation-hotel-challenges-downtown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/secureuser.net\/gctministries-cogic\/cogic-annual-holy-convocation-returns-to-memphis-in-november-and-could-face-transportation-hotel-challenges-downtown\/","title":{"rendered":"COGIC annual Holy convocation returns to Memphis"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

COGIC annual holy convocation returns to Memphis in November and could face transportation, hotel challenges downtown<\/h1>\r\n
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By <\/span>Bria Bolden<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
Published: Oct. 30, 2024 at 10:54 PM CDT<\/span><\/div>\r\n
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – A week from now, 30,000 people are expected to be in downtown Memphis for the COGIC 116th International Holy Convocation.<\/p>\r\n

\u201cThe Church of God In Christ means so much to the City of Memphis and I believe Memphis knows that,\u201d said Bishop Brandon B. Porter of Greater Community Temple COGIC.<\/p>\r\n

Bishop Brandon B. Porter of Greater Community Temple COGIC says he had a hand in bringing the convention back to Memphis in 2022, after spending 11 years away. But says there\u2019s competition between Memphis and St. Louis, Missouri to host.<\/p>\r\n

\u201cWe have the longest convention held in Memphis because it\u2019s like 12 days,\u201d said Bishop Porter. \u201cThey spend money. They eat food. They get transportation. Roughly $30 to $40 million in one week, so we want to keep that revenue coming to the city of Memphis and not only that, but a great spirited people you know.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Bishop Porter says he and other leaders have been talking with area hotels to get room prices down for members and try to get some kind transportation downtown, especially for senior members.<\/p>\r\n

It\u2019ll be a different landscape for the saints in downtown Memphis this year with some 200 rooms in the Sheraton Hotel not in use due to poor conditions and no trolleys or shuttle buses available.<\/p>\r\n

On the holy convocation\u2019s largest day, General Manager of the Renasant Convention Center, Dean Dennis, expects over 12,000 people inside the convention center. He also says visitors are staying in hotels around the city.<\/p>\r\n

Memphis Area Transit Authority CAO Erik Stevenson tells Action News 5, \u201cRight now, we are operating without a full fleet of buses. Therefore, operating a shuttle for any organization would be an exceptional service that we are unable to accommodate at this time.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

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On a lighter note, Downtown Dining Week also falls on the same week as the holy convocation. It\u2019ll be a great opportunity to show some love to Memphis and its downtown restaurants.<\/p>\r\n

\u201cThere will be lots of specials for them to enjoy,\u201d said President and CEO of the Downtown Memphis Commission Chandell Ryan. \u201cThe foot traffic alone will be awesome for our downtown area. We\u2019re just so happy to have them back.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

This year\u2019s holy convocation is November 5-10, and the general assembly is November 11 and 12.<\/p>\r\n

Memphis Police tell Action News 5 they will have additional support with patrols around the convention center next week.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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