Prince Hall Shriners choose Cincinnati for 2015 convention

CINCINNATI - A major African-American organization is returning to Cincinnati to hold its convention here.

The Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine – more commonly known as the Prince Hall Shriners – will hold its annual convention here in 2015.

The convention will be held at the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati.

Total attendance is estimated at 25,000, which includes conference attendees as well as visitors to the Shriners Annual Street Parade and other public special events associated with the convention.

Delegates are contracted to use more than 15,000 hotel room nights and spend nearly $6 million at local hotels, restaurants and attractions.

The Prince Hall Shriners also held its convention here in 2011. Delegates voted to come back to the Queen City based on their previous experience.

“Cincinnati was an extraordinary host for us in 2011 and that experience left such a positive impression in the minds of our members,” said Homer Buchanan, a Shriners leader, in a prepared statement.

“The community was warm and welcoming. The hospitality staff and local ambassadors made us feel right at home,” Buchanan added.

Founded in 1893, the Prince Hall Shriners is the oldest African-American fraternal organization in the world.

It has nearly 35,000 members in 227 Shrine temples throughout North America, Europe and Asia. The group is dedicated to fostering civic, economic and educational development programs throughout the world.

The organization’s first-ever annual session was held in New Jersey in 1901 and was hosted in Cincinnati for the first time in 1961.

“When high-profile organizations like the Prince Hall Shriners decide to return after a positive experience, it really validates our approach to developing Cincinnati into a world-class destination,” said Dan Lincoln, president and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau.