Shriners of North America annual conference to be held in Baltimore

Daily Record, The (Baltimore), Jun 15, 2005 by Kara Kridler

The fez invasion is coming.

Baltimore is expecting as many 25,000 members of the Shrine of North America, plus their families, for the group's annual conference.

The conference, which runs from July 3 to July 7, will drive as much as $25 million into the city's economy, Baltimore officials said.

We're looking forward to having [the convention] here in Baltimore, said Gary W. Dunwoody, chairman of public relations for the group. Dunwoody, a Little Rock, Ark., resident, came to Baltimore yesterday to complete some last-minute preparations.

The Shriners, an international fraternity, is well known for providing free medical care for children needing orthopedic or burn treatments. They support 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children throughout North America.

The group, long recognized for wearing red fezzes with black tassels, last met in Baltimore in 1939, Dunwoody said. It was the only other time the city hosted the conference, also called the Imperial Council Session, in the group's 133-year history, he said.

The Shriners' president and chief executive, Raoul L. Frevel Sr., chose Baltimore because it is his hometown. Each year the group's highest ranking officer chooses the host city.

While in Baltimore, the group will vote on annual legislative issues, including electing next year's president, and hold two parades and numerous competitions.

The convention will be one of Baltimore's largest, said Ronnie L. Burt, vice president of convention sales and services for the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association.

An estimated 5,000 hotel rooms are expected to be occupied in the Baltimore metro area, according to the Shriners.

They'll be using over 10 hotels in the downtown area, Burt said.

Two Baltimore hotels are already near selling out. The Renaissance Harborplace Hotel and the Marriott Inner Harbor Hotel both have limited availability during the conference dates.

Convention business for this year is very strong, Burt said. In July we are having a big convention every week - with the Shriners starting off the month.

The three other conventions are: the National Association of College and University Business Officers, expected to draw more than 3,000 people; the School Nutrition Association, anticipated to bring more than 6,000 attendees; and Firehouse Expo, expected to generate more than 14,000 people.