The convention planning committee for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on Oct. 17 recommended the Cincinnati for the civil rights organization’s 2016 annual convention.
Cincinnati last hosted the NAACP event in 2008. Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain both spoke there as part of their presidential campaigns. The convention drew about 4,000 visitors who spent more than $3 million.
The committee has narrowed down possible host cities for the convention to Austin, Texas, St. Louis, Baltimore and Cincinnati. Officials in Baltimore, where the NAACP is headquartered, thought the city had the convention wrapped up. The organization denied making a choice at the time, however.
The NAACP is stressing it still hasn’t made its final decision.
“The location for the NAACP’s annual national convention remains undecided as the Association’s board committee continues to review potential sites,” the organization said Oct. 22 in a statement. “While many great cities are being considered, no official announcements have been made.”
Cincinnati’s selection could go forward if a site visit by NAACP officials Nov. 5-6 goes well. If the city gets the convention, it could be a big year for Ohio. Cleveland is hosting the 2016 GOP National Convention and Columbus is vying for the Democrats’ big national get together.
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4, 2014.
