Influential African American meeting planners event to bring leaders in
diversity, business, and entertainment to region  

Cincinnati USA will host more than 150 influential meeting and event planners and industry professionals this week for the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners' 2014 Annual Conference. 

The National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (NCBMP), is a non-profit organization dedicated primarily to the training needs of African-American meeting planners. The 2014 Annual Conference marks the first time the NCBMP has ever met in Cincinnati. The more than 150 attendees represent numerous business, civil rights, church and fraternal organizations across the country and have the potential to bring future meetings totaling more than 110,000 room nights and approximately $31.8 million in economic impact to the region.

"Our organization strives to make every one of our meetings both educational and enjoyable for our attendees, and the host location plays a big role in the event's success" said Kevin Johnson, president of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners. "Cincinnati's compact downtown area and diversity of unique venue options made it an easy choice. I'm looking forward to a very productive and enjoyable conference." 

The NCBMP 2014 Annual Conference attendees will stay primarily at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati, with attendees expected to generate more than $350,000 in direct visitor spending while visiting. 

Conference programming will include both educational and networking sessions, with high-profile educational speakers to include: Pamela Means, national president of the National Bar Association and Ohio State Representative Alicia Reece, among others.

"Cincinnati USA has now hosted or booked 15 of the top 25 multicultural conventions in the country, and the Coalition choosing to hold their meeting here is further evidence of the strength of our destination for these events," said Dan Lincoln, president & CEO of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB). "On behalf of the entire regional hospitality community, I am thrilled to welcome the Coalition's attendees and leaders to Cincinnati to experience the energy and excitement of our region." 

While visiting, the NCBMP will hold special events at some of the region's top attractions and venues, with special performances by well-known entertainers like hip-hop artist Biz Markie and Kid Capri from HBO's Def Comedy Jam.  

Highlights of the NCBMP Annual Conference include:

Thursday, November 13:

Friday, November 14:

Saturday, November 15:

About the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners

The National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (NCBMP), founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization dedicated primarily to the training needs of African American meeting planners. The organization is committed to the improvement of the meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and convocations they manage. Members of NCBMP include meeting planners from numerous businesses, civil rights, church and fraternal organizations. Associate membership is available to individuals who represent hotels, convention bureaus, city government offices, airlines and other suppliers who offer services to the meeting and convention community. Since its founding, NCBMP has made a significant impact in the hospitality community by identifying the sizable purchasing power and impact of the African American convention.

About the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau is an aggressive sales, marketing and service organization whose primary responsibility is to positively impact Hamilton County's and the City of Cincinnati's economy through convention, trade show and visitor expenditures. The travel and tourism industry traditionally has been a $4.1 billion industry in Cincinnati USA, employing 94,000 people in a variety of fields and bringing 22.7 million visitors to the region in 2011. For more information, http://cincyusa.informz.net