The National Quartet Convention was founded in 1957 by J.D. Sumner and James Blackwood, both members of the Blackwood Brothers. The first NQC was held in the group's home base of Memphis, Tennessee. After moving to Birmingham in 1959 and Atlanta in 1960, it returned to Memphis in 1961 and remained there until J.D. Sumner bought the convention and moved it to Nashville in 1971. It remained there till 1993, at which point it moved to Louisville, Kentucky.

J.G. Whitfield purchased the convention in 1980 and sold it to a group of investors who were all part of the Southern Gospel industry in 1982. It is still operated by this board of directors. Today, NQC is a six-day event featuring nightly concert segments from the industry's leading groups, a 500-booth vendors' hall, and showcases featuring choral music, pianists, comedians, speakers, and even, in 2010, a politician (Sarah Palin).