Mayor Rawlings-Blake Announces NAACP Annual Convention's Return to Baltimore

108th Annual Convention will be held in "Charm City" in July 2017 

BALTIMORE, Md. (October 29, 2014)—Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake joined representatives of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Visit Baltimore to announce the organization's 108th Annual Convention will be held in Baltimore City in July, 2017.

"We are honored that the NAACP has named Baltimore City as host for its 2017 Annual Convention," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "Baltimore's rich African American heritage and culture are closely intertwined with the NAACP's proud legacy, and we are delighted to bring the NAACP Annual Convention back home. Events like this showcase Baltimore's strength as a truly world-class destination."

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are premier advocates for civil rights in their communities.

The NAACP Baltimore City Branch and Visit Baltimore will present the NAACP's 108th Annual Convention, July 22 – July 26, 2017. This is the third time Baltimore City has hosted the NAACP's most important national meeting. The gathering was last held in Baltimore City in 2000.

"We are honored by the selection and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to welcome the NAACP and its stakeholders home to Baltimore in 2017," said Tom Noonan, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore. "We consider this booking to be among the most important, prestigious, and relevant meetings—not only within the multicultural market, but the entire national meetings market."

The NAACP's 108th Annual Convention will offer many opportunities to highlight the organization's advocacy that is demonstrated on a daily basis throughout the United States. The annual convention is expected to attract thousands of participants, who will meet to discuss the future of the NAACP and its work.

"The Convention Planning Committee is pleased to award the 2017 Annual NAACP Convention to the City of Baltimore," said Leon W. Russell, vice chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors and chairman of the NAACP Convention Planning Committee. "The convention is a perfect fit for Baltimore, and we look forward to 'coming home.' We will work hard to make the 108th Annual Convention an outstanding event for all our members, as well as a stellar event for the city."

For more than a century, the NAACP has worked to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons.