COLUMBUS, Ohio—In a joint press conference today, Experience Columbus and city leaders announced Columbus will host the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church’s 52nd Quadrennial Session of the General Conference next summer, marking a historic milestone. The upcoming event is expected to become the largest convention held in Columbus to date, setting unprecedented records in both direct visitor spend and reserved room nights. 
 
Happening Aug. 21-28, 2024, the AME's General Conference plans to welcome 13,000 attendees and generate an estimated $21 million in direct visitor spend. This influx will result in 24,000 total room nights, a portion of which will mark the largest booking the Hilton Columbus Downtown has ever had. The event will take place in the hotel as well as the Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC). 
 

“The significance of this conference cannot be overstated,” said Experience Columbus President and CEO Brian Ross. “Hosting the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s General Conference for the first time in Columbus in more than 100 years is an honor and a privilege. As we strive to attract larger conventions that affirm Columbus as a premier destination for business travel and bolster the local economy, this event will be truly pivotal.” 

 
The African Methodist Episcopal Church, established in 1816, is recognized as the largest Black Methodist denomination in the United States. Its General Conference, held every four years and featuring elected delegates and notable speakers like Senator Barack Obama (2008) and First Lady Michelle Obama (2012) serves as the supreme governing body. 
 

“Our goal in Columbus is to be re-empowered, reinvigorated and retooled to strategically support and advocate for causes that will move our churches and communities forward in further pursuit of self-help, self-reliance, self-movement, and self-direction,” said Bishop James L. Davis, General Conference Commission Chair. “All of which are hallmarks of our founder, Richard Allen, and others who labored with him in founding The African Methodist Episcopal Church.”   


For more information about the AME’s General Conference and to stay updated on event details, please visit www.experiencecolumbus.com/ame2024. 

About Columbus, Ohio 
Columbus is a city unlike any other. Vibrant and alive, Ohio’s capital is known for its open attitude, smart style and entrepreneurial spirit. Columbus' blend of neighborhoods, dynamic nightlife, noteworthy music scene, arts and culinary experiences, events, attractions and accommodations are all made unforgettable by the diversity of its outgoing locals who eagerly await and warmly welcome visitors. Columbus is proud to be selected as the host city for the 2023 U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting coming in June and to have hosted PCMA Convening Leaders 2023, which brought together the world's business events professionals in January. Free travel guides, maps, online booking and detailed information are available at www.ExperienceColumbus.com. Visitor information is also available on Facebook: Facebook.com/ExperienceColumbus, Twitter: @ExpCols and Instagram: @ExperienceColumbus. 


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Media Contacts
Leah Berger, APR: lberger@experiencecolumbus.com | 614-222-6145  
Cameron Tirado, ECI: ctirado@experiencecolumbus.com | 610-389-6833