The City of Tampa and the Tampa Convention Center are proud to welcome back the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine (AEAONMS), also known as the Prince Hall Shriners, for their 2026 Imperial Session, taking place August 14–20, 2026.
This marks the fifth time the organization has selected Tampa Bay as its host destination for this prestigious national convention, with its first visit being in 2010 and the most recent in 2023. The multi-day event brings together two primary segments, the Imperial Council Session for the Nobles and the Imperial Court Session for the Daughters, drawing thousands of attendees to Downtown Tampa.
Traffic and Parking Advisory for Downtown Tampa and Ybor City
With thousands of convention attendees gathering at the Tampa Convention Center, local residents, commuters, and visitors should anticipate heavy foot traffic and increased demand at parking garages in Downtown Tampa, particularly near S. Franklin Street and Channelside Drive.
Peak convention activity is scheduled from Friday, August 14, through Wednesday, August 19. To avoid congestion surrounding the convention center, drivers traveling to and from Harbour Island can choose to use Beneficial Drive.
On Wednesday, August 19, AEAONMS will host its signature Ybor City Parade along 7th Avenue from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Tampa Police Department will begin closing 7th Avenue to vehicle traffic starting at 2:30 p.m. between Nebraska Avenue and North 24th Street. Parade spectators and Ybor visitors are encouraged to take advantage of alternative transit options, including the free TECO Line Streetcar.
Updated parking and street closure details are available at Tampa.gov/parking and Tampa.gov/road-closures.
Empowering the Tampa Community
Beyond driving hospitality and tourism, AEAONMS is leaving a lasting philanthropic mark on the City of Tampa through an extensive array of community service initiatives scheduled throughout the week.
Key community programs include:
- Project C.A.R.E. (Charity Always Reaches Everyone): A comprehensive one-day event sponsored by the Prince Hall Shriners Foundation, Inc. and the Imperial Corporate Affairs Department, providing local residents with free haircuts, toiletries, food, health screenings, and employment services.
- Youth & Education Support: A community bookbag and school supplies giveaway for local students preparing for the academic year.
- Health & Wellness Initiatives: A public diabetes walk and health fair, alongside a mobile blood drive.
- Civic Engagement: A non-partisan voter registration drive held during convention activities.
A Premier Destination for National Conventions & Major Association Meetings
The 2026 Imperial Session is projected to generate $9,251,988 in direct economic impact for Tampa Bay, supporting local restaurants, retail shops, transportation providers, and hotel partners.
The repeat selection of Tampa by major fraternal and trade organizations highlights Ta/node/70316mpa’s growin/node/70316g reputation/node/70316 as a top-ti/node/70316er destinati/node/70316on for association executives, meeting planners, and event organizers.
Featuring state-of-the-art waterfront meeting facilities, walkable downtown accommodations, seamless transit via the TECO Line Streetcar, and dedicated municipal support, the Tampa Convention Center continues to prove why national events repeatedly return to Florida’s premier West Coast convention hub.
For more information on hosting conventions, trade shows, or major association meetings at the Tampa Convention Center, or to submit an RFP, visit /node/70316/node/70316.