Registration is now open for the 2026 Auxiliaries in Ministry (AIM) Convention, the annual gathering of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), one of the nation’s largest African American denominations. The convention will be held July 6–10, 2026 at the Baltimore Convention Center and is expected to bring thousands of visitors to downtown Baltimore.
AIM is known for its combination of worship services, music, training seminars, youth programming, community service projects, and citywide gatherings. While the church has not released an official economic impact report from last year’s Phoenix AIM Convention, cities that host COGIC events routinely see millions of dollars in spending from visitors. Attendees stay in local hotels, eat in local restaurants, use transportation services, and shop at neighborhood businesses. Large faith-based conventions often spark short-term job creation and provide a welcome boost to local vendors and suppliers.
For Baltimore, the potential impact is significant. The AIM audience includes families, young adults, ministry groups, and congregations from across the country who are known for exploring and supporting the local communities they visit. Their presence brings steady activity to the food, hospitality, retail, and service sectors. With registration opening early, Baltimore businesses have a long runway to prepare, make connections, and develop special offerings for the week.
It is also important for the public to know that AIM is not limited to church members. Anyone can register or attend. Many of the sessions, concerts, seminars, and community events are open to the general public and are designed to welcome residents of the host city.
Along with worship and training, the convention will include health fairs, career fairs, leadership programs, youth activities, and outreach events. These elements align with Baltimore’s ongoing work in workforce development, health awareness, youth engagement, and community building.
COGIC’s decision to bring the AIM Convention to Baltimore highlights the city as a destination for large-scale gatherings that blend spiritual life, community service, and economic opportunity. Local entrepreneurs, especially in Black-owned sectors, can benefit from increased visibility, new customer traffic, and the chance to showcase Baltimore’s culture to a national audience.
Registration for the AIM Convention is available at www.cogic.org/aim.
In July, Baltimore will welcome visitors from across the country for a week that brings together faith, community, and commerce at the Baltimore Convention Center.