RSS
Home
COGIC moves convocation to St. Louis
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
For as long as anyone can remember the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) has held its annual convocation here in Memphis. This has come to be expected each year as the COGIC is headquartered here. This year, however, the annual event has been moved to St. Louis.
This turn of events has some wringing their hands and others jumping for joy. Merchants in the area benefit immensely from the almost 70,000 people that come here each year for the event. Restaurants, diners and other purveyors of fine foods are usually almost overwhelmed by the influx of hungry attendees.
Conversely, there are those of the opinion that the event is just a headache because of the additional traffic congestion, lack of parking, and inability to grab a quick lunch during that entire week.
Also, even though the hospitality and food service industries thrive during the annual event, there have been complaints regarding the people attending the convocation from those who do not own any of these businesses but do the leg work.
Wait staff have been heard complaining that large groups of spirit filled and somewhat rowdy attendees come in to their establishments, eat large meals and create rather sizable messes to be attended to, and then leave small tips, if any at all.
Similar complaints have been heard from other service industry personnel such as maids, valets, bell hops, sky caps, and so forth. There have been comments made by these workers that they plan their vacations, if possible, at that time to avoid having to work the week the convocation is in town.
It is indeed a shame that COGIC has felt the need to make this move. It has to be a slap, of sorts, in the face of Memphis, especially as the headquarters for COGIC is here. Perhaps Memphis can woo them back next year by doing a few things such as getting crime under control and ensuring none of the city council goes to jail for corruption, or cleaning up the downtown area by getting the drug dealers and hookers off the streets.
By losing this event to another city the economy of Memphis will undoubtedly suffer. What may even be more painful to some is the idea that we will no longer be able to see those hats some of the ladies wear.
Related Articles:
Comments
.png)
