LONG BEACH, CA — One of the largest annual Catholic gatherings in the United States will be held in Long Beach beginning in 2028, the city announced Wednesday.
A five-year agreement will bring the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress — commonly known as RECongress — to the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center from 2028 through 2032.
The four-day event has been held in Anaheim for the past 57 years.
Organized by the Office of Religious Education of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, RECongress began in 1956, and has evolved into a "globally recognized congress focused on faith formation, spiritual growth and community building, drawing attendees from every U.S. state and dozens of countries in any given year," organizers said.
"For 70 years, RECongress has drawn Catholics from around the globe seeking prayer, learning and spiritual renewal. We are delighted to open our next chapter by bringing our beloved gathering home to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in Long Beach in 2028," said Sr. Rosalia Meza, senior director of the Office of Religious Education for the Archdiocese. "The heart of RECongress is the people who fill the space and we look forward to bringing that same spirit of encounter and community to Long Beach."
The event draws about 20,000 attendees annually, with projections indicating strong growth in the coming years, city officials said. The gathering is expected to generate more than 5,000 hotel room nights annually in Long Beach, alongside increased economic activity for local businesses, restaurants and attractions.
"Welcoming RECongress to Long Beach is a major opportunity for our city and our residents," Mayor Rex Richardson said. "This event will bring new energy to our local businesses, restaurants and hotels while giving us the chance to showcase the diversity, hospitality and spirit that define Long Beach. We're proud to welcome thousands of visitors from around the world to our community."
City News Service
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