COGIC Moves Holy Convocation to St. Louis, Costing Memphis $35 Million in Economic Impact

The Church of God in Christ has moved its annual Holy Convocation from Memphis to St. Louis for a three-year commitment, citing a shortage of centralized hotel accommodations in Memphis.

More than 35,000 people gathered in St. Louis for the convocation this year, the second time in the organization's 118-year history that the event has left Memphis.

"Unlike St. Louis, Memphis does not have the hotel accommodations downtown in a central place," said COGIC General Board Member Bishop Brandon Porter. "St. Louis has several hotels over 700 occupancy in them. Memphis doesn't have one with 700 occupancy, and that's how they're outbidding us."

The convocation typically books more than 20,000 hotel rooms across the Memphis area during what is normally a slow tourism season. Memphis officials estimate the city is losing between $30 million and $35 million in economic impact.

COGIC leaders say they wanted members to be in a more centralized area. St. Louis and several other cities offer thousands more hotel rooms than Memphis within walking distance of the convention center.

"I hope and pray that we come back home," said COGIC elder Michael Scruggs. "I know our current leadership has been in talks with the presiding bishop. They want Memphis here. They just have to build a big enough convention center."

COGIC will continue to hold its April Call business meeting in Memphis at the denomination's headquarters in South Memphis.

General board members say they hope progress on Memphis hotel and convention infrastructure will be made during the three-year St. Louis commitment, opening the door for the convocation to return.