By Mandi Rice, St. Louis Public Radio Intern
ST. LOUIS – The Church of God in Christ opened its annual convocation Tuesday in St. Louis. The city used a series of incentives to attract the convention, including free hotel parking and discounts at nearly 100 restaurants.
Charles Blake is the denomination's presiding bishop. He says the convention had grown too large for its previous space in Memphis.
"St. Louis was foremost among the cities who made proposals to us," Blake said, "And because of the package that St. Louis presented and the ability that St. Louis had to accommodate a convention our size, the decision was made."
The convention's attendees will use space throughout the America's Center and the Edward Jones Dome.
Kitty Ratcliffe is president of the Convention and Visitors Commission. She said that the convention helps boost an otherwise slow season for tourism.
"The estimates right now are about 40,000 people," Ratcliffe said. "They're going to use 25,000 hotel room nights over this week while they're here. And it's at least in the tens-of-millions of dollars. Right now the estimate is $35 million in direct expenditures."
The convention will also be in St. Louis for 2011 and 2012.