The top 10 cities for black conventions.

Since the National Medical Association held its first national meeting in November 1895 to incorporate its organization, African-Americans have been convening in cities across the country and around the globe. The black travel and tourism market, which includes meetings and conventions, has been conservatively estimated at $30 billion annually. The economic impact of these conventions is now beginning to be recognized.

"Suppliers now have a healthy respect for our market," says John Crump, executive director for the National Bar Association and chairman of the National Association of Black Meeting Planners. Black meetings are no longer looked upon as "peanut" organizations, he says.

Computing the economic impact of a convention, the Washington, D.C.-based International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus estimates that the average attendee stays 3.5 days in a city and spends over $763; another $80,456 is spent by the association over five days and exhibitors at a convention spend another $2,504 in just over three days. Most black organizations report, however, that they spend from $500,000 to over $1 million on meeting costs, not including what their members spend.

Since BLACK ENTERPRISE began its national African-American convention calendar in 1975, the number of listings has grown from around 22 to over 90 annually (not including the Black Expo). The cities where these meetings take place have also grown more diverse over the years, but there are certain cities where African-American organizations are more likely to hold their national conventions. These cities share a few common characteristics:

1. There is a strong African-American culture, history or presence;

2. They are easily accessible by air and ground transportation; and

3. A good supply of first-class hotel accommodations, supported by a large volume of meeting space, is available.

For most black groups, this means holding the convention in a major city, usually one with a large black population. Looking back over the past 20 years, we came up with these top 10 cities for African-American conventions: Washington, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, New Orleans, St. Louis, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Groups like the National Association of Black Accountants have held a number of their conventions in these cities. "Because these cities have large, successful black populations, it makes it easier for us to do business there," explains Beverly Everson-Jones, NABA executive director. "We also look at cities that have a strong corporate base or where we can develop a corporate relationship."

Despite their diversity in purpose--from professional development to fraternal--all the organizations look for cities and facilities that can provide the best convention possible, while offering a stimulating environment to attendees. Here's a look at why five of the top 10 cities are so popular.

WASHINGTON

Despite its often cited crime problems, the nation's capital is perhaps the most popular city for national conventions. Meeting planners point to the city's resources as the key to its attractiveness. Many African-American organizations have their headquarters here; it is the seat of government--and quite a bit of lobbying--and the metropolitan area boasts the wealthiest concentration of African-Americans in the country.

For more information, contact the Washington, D.C. Convention and Visitors Association, 1212 New York Ave., N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20005-3992. Or call 202-789-7000.

ATLANTA

Considered the "Gateway to the South," Atlanta is rich in African-American culture and heritage, from its role in the civil rights struggle to its African-American academic institutions. Easily accessible, the city is the transportation hub of the Southeast.

"Atlanta is an amalgamated city with African-Americans from everywhere, which adds a richness to the city and its southern gentility," says NABMP's chair John Crump.

For more information, contact the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, 245 Peachtree Center Ave., Suite 700, Atlanta, GA 30303. Or call 404-330-1200.

NEW YORK

When it comes to sheer numbers, a New York City convention usually has more attendees than any other-1.8 million, including many African-Americans, came in 1993. "Not withstanding the costs, New York is the most popular. It has a presence like no other," says Crump. "There's everything, and more of everything than in any other city."

For more information, contact the Visitor Information Center of the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 100 1 9. Or call 212-397-8222.

HOUSTON

When many people think of Texas, they think Dallas. But for African-Americans, Houston is the odds-on favorite. "Houston surprises a lot of people," says Carl Hartfield, associate director of sales at the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau. "It's die fourth largest city in the country; it has the third largest port and marina; and is one of only four cities with all four major performing arts--theater, ballet, opera and symphony."

Contact the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, 801 Congress St., Houston, TX 77002. Or call 800-365-7575.

NEW ORLEANS

Known for its tasty Creole cuisine, New Orleans is a favorite place for African-American conventions. "It's really the culture that lures people here in droves," says Caletha Powell, executive director of the Greater New Orleans Black Tourism Network.

When most people think of New Orleans, its music and food come instantly to mind. Thousands flock to the city's French Quarter in search of authentic jazz and Creole cooking. Contact the Greater New Orleans Black Tourism Network, 1520 Sugar Bowl Dr., New Orleans, LA 70112. Or call 800-725-5652.

For information on the remaining five cities, contact:

* Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress at the Philadelphia CVB, 1515 Market St., Suite 2020, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Call 215-636-3300.

* St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission, 10 South Broadway, Suite 1000, St. Louis, MS 63102. Call 800-325-7962.

* Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, 2301 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60616-1490. Call 312-567-8500.

* Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visitors Information, 633 W. Fifth St., Suite 6000, Los Angeles, CA 90071. Call 213-624-7300.

* San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, 201 Third St., Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103. Call 415-974-6900.