NEW ORLEANS – Members of Tall Clubs International will be convening in New Orleans today, Friday, July 22, through Sunday July 31, 2016, for their 70th Annual National Convention, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 300 Canal St.
This year’s theme is “Tall That Jazz,” including 10 days of activities, featuring crowning the new Miss Tall International, 3 DJ dances, plus daytime and evening events including a Charity Fundraiser, an Awards Banquet and a Dinner Cruise on the Mississippi.
Attendees will also be working at a Habitat for Humanity site on Saturday, July 23. TCI members from the U.S. and Canada plus affiliated members from Europe will be in attendance.
Tall Clubs International (TCI), founded in 1938, is a not-for-profit community service and social organization for Tall People. With a network of 42 chapters across the United States and Canada, men at least 6’2” and women 5’10” and over, enjoy camaraderie with fellow members while advocating for the needs of the taller than average statured individuals. They devote time to spreading awareness to the transportation and retail manufacturing industries, as well as educating the general public to the medical dangers of Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder. Affected people are often disproportionately tall. The dangerous part is the condition’s effect on the aorta. Without treatment, people with Marfan and related disorders are at risk of a sudden death from a rupture of their aorta. Pistol Pete Marivich was a victim of the disorder. The members of TCI have adopted The Marfan Foundation as a preferred charity.
TCI Foundation, Inc., an affiliate organization of Tall Clubs International, founded in 1992, houses a scholarship program which grants $1,000 scholarships to tall young adults under the age of 21 seeking their first year of higher education. A special fundraising auction for both The Marfan Foundation and the TCI Foundation, Inc. will be held during the Monday evening dance on July 25, starting at 8:00 p.m. The event not only includes the fundraising auction, but also a DJ dance. It is open to the public with no cover charge for local Marfan and Tall residents to attend the festivities.
On Wednesday, July 27, the new 2016 Miss TI will be crowned. The evening will begin with a formal dinner, entertainment and the crowning. The national spokesperson for the organization will be crowned by current 2015 Miss TI, Erica Hand of the Portland Tall Club. The evening will also include a DJ dance.
