It's Convention Season!
 

With so many Inter/National Conventions about to take place I thought it would be fun to discuss.

So many groups visit the same properties. Two years ago we shared a property with Alpha Gamma Delta in St.
Louis. We were moving out and they were moving in. I'm sure the staff was exhausted after those two weeks!

1) When and where?
2) Will you be attending and how many have you attended?
3) Are you attending in any official capacity?
4) What's your favorite part (only what is ok to share of course)
5) Have you ever attend another group's convention? Or have an interesting story to share?

1) JW Marriott in Palm Dessert July 11-14. I think other NPC groups have been to this property.

2) Yes, this will be #8!

3) Yes, national officer

4) Too many to list but definitely Ritual and Reunion Night Dinner. We sit by chapter and you never know who you might meet. It is tons of fun and many groups decorate their tables. A bit of sports conference rivalry if you know what I mean!

5) I've been fortunate enough to attend Pi Beta Phi's on the day the Panhellenic guests join for lunch. I've attend Phi Kappa Theta's once with my husband.

July 24th- 27th at Disney World.
I will be attending. It's my first convention!
I'm not attending in any official capacity.
Not sure yet, as this is my first convention.
No.

Sigma Kappa
1) When and where? June 28-22 in Las Vegas
2) Will you be attending and how many have you attended? I am attending - this will be my 1st
3) Are you attending in any official capacity? I'm attending as advisor for one of the 2 chapters I advise at. I'll also be doing a few things as alumnae chapter co-president.
4) What's your favorite part (only what is ok to share of course?) I've never been, so I'll go with what's been great so far about it all - getting to travel with some fabulous collegiate members and going somewhere warmer than Boston, and getting approved by my supervisor to miss the last 2 days of the school year to attend! I also look forward to sharing my badge collection with one of our National Council VPs who has a pretty stellar collection!
5) Have you ever attend another group's convention? Or have an interesting story to share? Not yet - but I will be meeting a fabulous GCer or two at convention as well as AzTheta's friend!

1) June 24-29 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix
2) This will be my 15th!
3) No - going as a visitor
4) Finally being a visitor and not an officer!!!!!!!!!!! So much less stress and more time to just visit with the other "has beens."
5) Yes - PH reception at AST convention here in Birmingham. Ran into several other PH friends!

^^^ Our Convention was there in 2006. That was the only one I've missed in recent years, but I heard that the hotel room and meeting buildings are spread out and some sisters complained about rushing around outside in the heat to change clothes and that they had a hard time getting back and forth for events (I don't know about DG, but a couple of our days require 1-2 wardrobe changes, and the schedule is tightly packed). I also heard they had golf carts to help out, but not enough.

1) When and where? Seattle, July 9-13
2) Will you be attending and how many have you attended? Yes, this will be #6
3) Are you attending in any official capacity? AC delegate
4) What's your favorite part (only what is ok to share of course?) Parade of chapters, with flags, and the Confirmed Conventioneers' Dinner
5) Have you ever attend another group's convention? Or have an interesting story to share? No!

Of course you come the summer after I move out of PHX!

1) When and where? As previously mentioned, Seattle, July 9-13

2) Will you be attending and how many have you attended? This will be #4!

3) Are you attending in any official capacity? I'm attending as a chapter advisor, and am also on the slate for nominating committee. :)

4) What's your favorite part (only what is ok to share of course?) I always sing in the ritual choir, and it is such a thrill! Goosebumps all over.

5) Have you ever attend another group's convention? Or have an interesting story to share? Nope.

Here's a nice list of the 18 NPC groups holding Conventions this summer in Jean Mrasek's blog:

http://npcchairman.blogspot.com/2014...nventions.html

June 25-29 in Orlando.
My 4th convention. (There will be about a dozen Tulsa Univ. Chi O's there: active members, chapter advisors, alumnae, convention staff, NPC Chair).
I'm attending as 1 of UCLA's advisors.
The Model Initiation Ceremony is so very special.
I've attended a dinner at an AEPi's convention (long time ago).

Omega Phi Alpha

1) When and where? Indianapolis July 16th-20th

2) Will you be attending and how many have you attended? I have attended 4 previous conventions. This will be the first time in 4 years I'm not attending because I will be around 37 weeks pregnant at that time, so traveling is a no go for me! (But hey...best reason to not attend right?!)

3) Are you attending in any official capacity? If I was attending, I would be as I'm currently the VP of Expansions for OPA, but I'm going to see about skyping in to give my officer report.

4) What's your favorite part (only what is ok to share of course?) I love just spending time with sisters, the service project, and banquet.

5) Have you ever attend another group's convention? Or have an interesting story to share? I have not attended another group's convention. My interesting story from attending OPA's convention is that my DH surprised me at my first convention to propose to me! I got to do a candle pass at banquet to reveal to all my sisters there! Convention will always have a special place in my heart because of that!

Oh! It would have been so fun to meet you!

No APhiA convention this year, but I have attended three other NPHC conventions in some capacity.

In 2005, I visited the Zeta Phi Beta 85th Anniversary Celebration in DC (which was not a convention, more like a leadership summit). I went to hang out and meet some internet buddies, but then I found myself co-vending with another Alpha whose publisher had bought a table for him. I met a lot of people, sold a lot of books.

In 2009, the Kappas came to DC to the same hotel the Zetas were at in 05 and the Alphas were in 06 for Centennial. I was there to visit their literary salon/vendor section to see if what they did could be implemented for Alpha (I was the national Arts & Humanities Committee chairman at the time). It was weird being at another fraternity's convention, but still fun. Their vendor area was HUMONGOUS. At least three times the size of the vendors the Alphas had.

Finally, in 2011, I was downtown when the Omegas came to town. Nothing official, just wanted to be around the Ques. :) I met some Quettes (Omega wives) and had an awesome conversation.

1) When and where? Omega Phi Alpha will be in Indianapolis July 16-20. And we will be missing DreamfulSpirit, but share her excitement over her baby.
2) Will you be attending and how many have you attended? I will be there. I've been to so many OPA conventions, I've lost count.
3) Are you attending in any official capacity? Yes, national officer.
4) What's your favorite part (only what is ok to share of course?) My favorite part is the alumnae lunch and the alumnae society induction. That's where all the best "back in the day" stories come out!
5) Have you ever attend another group's convention? Or have an interesting story to share? When APO's convention was in Phoenix, I attended briefly as a national representative of OPA. When OPA was in Nashville years ago, we discovered that AKA was also having their convention in Nashville at the same time though at a different hotel. Everywhere we went all week, we were surrounded by a sea of pink and green. ;)

I am soooooo pumped about going to our National Convention. My suits are at the cleaners!

1) July 2-6. Washington DC. What better place to be on July 4th!
2) #2 for me.....
3) Voting delegate, graduate council (alumni vote for my chapter).
4) Model Initiation Ceremony and Brotherhood Banquet. And meeting new Brothers!
5) No

I hope everyone has fun and safe convention!!!!

I'm just going to hang out over here with the AEPhi, Pi Phi, KD, AXiD, and AOII contingent and pretend that I'm not totally jealous that I don't have a Convention to go to this year.

1) When and where? Theta Phi Alpha's convention is the first full week of July in New Orleans.
2) Will you be attending and how many have you attended? Yes! This will be my second. :)
3) Are you attending in any official capacity? Nope.
4) What's your favorite part (only what is ok to share of course?) There is a Catholic Mass held for any sisters who wish to attend. Given the story of our founding, I think being able to celebrate Mass with my sisters is absolutely amazing, and it is always my favorite part of our conventions/leadership conferences. :D
5) Have you ever attend another group's convention? Or have an interesting story to share? No. My boyfriend wants to take me to his fraternity's convention, but this year they are being held in the same city, so he'd rather wait for another year.

I'm content because yet again, AOII convention is coming to me! Next year AOII International Convention is in Los Angeles. Four years ago when I moved to AZ it was in Tucson. I have a knack for being in the right place at the right time. :cool:

1) When and where? June 28-22 in Las Vegas
2) Will you be attending and how many have you attended? This will be my second time.
3) Are you attending in any official capacity? Yes, I am the voting delegate since I am the co-president of our alumnae chapter.
4) What's your favorite part (only what is ok to share of course?) The first time I only attended a small portion as it was nearby and had a schedule conflict. This time I will be there the whole time, even getting to town early to see a friend and hit a concert.
5) Have you ever attend another group's convention? Or have an interesting story to share? Never been to another group's convention, but I did fly home a few summers ago from Phoenix with many Chi Omegas coming home from their convention! Also I will be sharing a room with a fellow GCer and hoping to connect with other friends!

Alpha Gamma Delta

1) When and where? July 9-12 at the JW Marriott- Indianapolis
2) Will you be attending and how many have you attended? Yes, this will be my 7th
3) Are you attending in any official capacity? Yes, Director on our Chapter Development Team
4) What's your favorite part (only what is ok to share of course?). I can't pick just one- the Convention Initiation Service is always incredible. This year, seeing one of my closest sisters be installed as our International VP Extension will be very exciting. We have a Circle of Sisterhood singing session on the last night that I always love. Seeing those sisters I work with all throughout the biennium but only get to SEE at Convention. I love the work shops and I love connecting with the collegians and advisors in my areas because I think our relationships become much more meaningful after meeting face to face. And, of course, the big announcement of where Convention will be next time!

5) Have you ever attend another group's convention? Or have an interesting story to share? I have never attended another group's Convention but as an AXO mentioned above, we were entering as they were leaving one year.

Really? I thought you were appointed Advisor to ΔΔ..

1) When and where?
June 25-29, 2014
Ritz Carlton/JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes
Orlando, FL
This is Chi Omega's 2nd time at this property. We were there in 2010 and will return again in 2016. We have also used the Orlando World Center Marriott property where Kappa Alpha Theta will be this year.

2) Will you be attending and how many have you attended?
Yes! This will be # 16 for me.

3) Are you attending in any official capacity?
I always wear many different "hats."

4) What's your favorite part (only what is ok to share of course?)
The President's Banquet on the last night when the former & current members of the Governing Council are announced and escorted to the head table by their initiating chapter's G.H. (President)

5) Have you ever attend another group's convention? Or have an interesting story to share?
No.

I'm a fool, it's the 18-22, not 28 - 22. Sorry, y'all!

1) When and where? End of June in Phoenix
2) Will you be attending and how many have you attended? Yes -- this is my fifth.
3) Are you attending in any official capacity? Advisory Team Chairman for UC Davis
4) What's your favorite part (only what is ok to share of course?) I love the chapter roll call, the awards banquet and seeing other people experience Convention for the first time
5) Have you ever attend another group's convention? Or have an interesting story to share? No. DreamfulSpirit's post reminded me that when we were all checking out at Convention two years ago, a DG's boyfriend was picking her up and he got down on his knee and proposed right there in the lobby. She said yes and we all cheered. :)

We were there in 2012--Food is not great!

Alpha Phi-Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs) LaPlaya Resort
My 4th Convention.
Voting delegate and national role
Favorite part: All of it.
Least favorite: THE HEAT: Miami in 2010, Phoenix in 2012 and Palm Springs in 2014!

Where is "there?"

The next Beta Sigma Phi International Convention is in 2016, which I fully intend to make it to. The state that I'm in rotates hosting a "Quadra State" convention with three other states (Idaho, Utah and Wyoming are the others, if I recall.) that any sister in the organization is welcome to attend, and other states also have annual conventions as well.

ETA: :-( It is too late to register for this year's Quadra State Convention....but if there is one next year...I will go.

Sigma Kappa

1) When and where?
* Las Vegas June 18-22

2) Will you be attending and how many have you attended?
* Alas, no. I'm pregnant with my 2nd (and last) child. My due date is July 11 and I can no longer travel even though I'm not too far being here in CA. I have attended 2 in the past. I went to the one we held in Palm Springs and he one in Orlando. I can FINALLY be a Confirmed Conventionite once I attend 3. Fingers crossed for next time!

3) Are you attending in any official capacity?
* Nope but in the past, I attended as a. Icing delegate for my alumnae chapter.

4) What's your favorite part (only what is ok to share of course?)
* Meeting up with friends I only get to see once a year and of course, meeting new sisters and making new friends.

5) Have you ever attend another group's convention? Or have an interesting story to share?
* I haven't but I have met up with some GCers at our Convention in Orlando and had dinner. It was great meeting up with Panhellenic friends and putting faces to names.

I don't know how you wait 3 years!

Same here, though at least for us it's 2015, not 2016.

So excited! I just had my vacation approved, but I'll most likely miss a day :(

1) When and where? San Diego, CA. July 16-20
2) Will you be attending and how many have you attended? This will be my second one
3) Are you attending in any official capacity? Yes
4) What's your favorite part (only what is ok to share of course?) Banquet!
5) Have you ever attend another group's convention? Or have an interesting story to share? None yet!

Would LOVE for us to go to San Diego!

This thread has been fun!

I love Chi Omega's tradition how the Council members are announced and escorted to the head table.

I think it's nice that Alpha Gamma Delta hold elections ahead of time. I'm super excited for your incoming President and NPC Delegate!

Doesn't Gamma Phi Beta do something special with carnations on decorated hats? That seems like a fun tradition.

I hope everyone has a blast!

For the Confirmed Conventioneers' Dinner, we decorate a hat with one carnation for each Convention we've attended. Once you've attended 5 Conventions, you get to "march" in the Confirmed Conventioneers Parade. The hat itself is a mystery each year...we don't know what it will be until we arrive, and then you have to try to find time to decorate your hat. Some sisters go all out.

:) I love our (re-elected from years ago) NPC Delegate. I worked with her closely back in the late 90s and she is one of the sweetest women I've ever known. She has a heart of gold. We have an absolutely incredible newly elected International Council. We have made great strides in the past 4 years or so and I expect this board to continue making great things happen!

That's so cool! We have the Compass Club once you've made it to five. There is a special reception only for members and a special pin, too, I believe. I'll be able to report back first-hand after our 2020 convention. :cool:

1.) New Orleans July 31st - August 2nd
2.) I will try to be there. This will be my 24th national convention.
3.) No.
4.) Just hanging out with both undergrad and alumni members.
5.) never had attended another group convention although Tau Kappa Epsilon was having their convention as the same time as us when both groups was in San Antonio. This occurred in 2011.