About the Winter Leadership Conclave
For 2025, Beta Theta Pi is introducing a new concept for its winter leadership development training programs by bringing the Miller Nichols Chapter Presidents Leadership Academy, Keystone Regional Leadership Conference and Hugh E. Stephenson Jr. Leadership Summit together for one weekend in one location – downtown Chicago!
Essential Information
DATES
Presidents Academy: Thursday, January 9 – Friday, January 10, 2025
Keystone: Friday, January 10 – Sunday, January 12, 2025
Leadership Summit: Friday, January 10 – Sunday, January 12, 2025
PARTICIPANTS
Chapter president
Three (3) vice presidents — brotherhood, member education and risk management
Chapter counselor
Regional and district chiefs
LOCATION
Chicago Marriott Magnificent Mile
540 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
The hotel is located two blocks from the Chicago River, providing ample opportunities for training, brotherhood and entertainment in the vibrant downtown of America’s third-largest city. It is easily accessible from two major airports (Chicago O’Hare and Chicago Midway) and is within driving distance for many Beta chapters.
COSTS
See specific event-track pages below or visit at beta.org/membershipcosts for registration fees.
PRE-WORK
Please set aside an hour to complete the following modules on Lessonly before arriving in Chicago for Conclave:
Quick Links
Registration
Registration for all 2025 Conclave tracks is now closed.
Attendee List
See who else is already signed up to attend the Leadership Conclave
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional information and details for attendees
Agenda
A look ahead at what’s to come
“We come here to have a good time together simply as brothers in the bonds of Beta Theta Pi and to recall the sweet associations of the past and to form wider friendship for the future.”
– Amb. Aimaro Sato, DePauw 1881
Daily Schedule
| Time Start | Time End | Session | Program | Room |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 PM | 4:00 PM | Registration | Presidents Academy | 7th Floor Foyer |
| 4:00 PM | 5:00 PM | Presidents Academy Kickoff Session | Presidents Academy | Grand Salon I |
| 5:10 PM | 6:20 PM | The Role of the President | Presidents Academy | Grand Salon I |
| 6:30 PM | 7:30 PM | Dinner | Presidents Academy | Grand Salon II/III |
| 7:40 PM | 9:00 PM | How to be Presidential | Presidents Academy | Grand Salon I |
| 9:05 PM | 9:45 PM | Roundtables and Idea Sharing | Presidents Academy | Grand Salon II/III |
| 9:45 PM | 11:00 PM | Beta Time | Presidents Academy | Foyer and Grand Salon |
| Time Start | Time End | Session | Program | Room |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | 8:30 AM | Breakfast | Presidents Academy | Grand Salon II/III |
| 8:40 AM | 9:35 AM | Getting the Work Done | Presidents Academy | Grand Salon I |
| 9:45 AM | 10:30 AM | Developing and Fostering Relationships | Presidents Academy | Grand Salon I |
| 10:40 AM | 12:05 PM | Creating a Safe and Healthy Beta Theta Pi | Presidents Academy | Grand Salon I |
| 12:00 PM | 4:00 PM | Registration | Keystone Conference Leadership Summit |
7th Floor Foyer |
| 12:15 PM | 1:15 PM | Lunch | Presidents Academy | Grand Salon II/III |
| 1:25 PM | 2:15 PM | Leadership in Practice | Presidents Academy | Grand Salon I |
| 2:25 PM | 3:15 PM | Creating Your Leadership Philosophy | Presidents Academy | Grand Salon I |
| 3:15 PM | 4:00 PM | Break and Transition to Keystone | Presidents Academy | |
| 4:00 PM | 5:15 PM | Keystone Kickoff General Session | All | Grand Salon II/III |
| 5:25 PM | 6:35 PM | Breakouts: Nuts and Bolts of Your Role | All | Presidents: Grand Salon I Brotherhood: Marriott Ballroom Risk Management: Chicago E-H Member Education: Chicago A-D Counselors:Indiana/Iowa/Michigan/Michigan State GFOs: Northwestern/Ohio State/Purdue/Wisconsin |
| 6:45 PM | 8:15 PM | Dinner | All | Grand Salon II/III |
| 8:30 PM | 9:30 PM | Understanding Your Beta Resources | All | Breakout Rooms |
| 9:30 PM | 11:00 PM | Beta Time | All | Foyer and Grand Salon |
| Time Start | Time End | Session | Program | Room |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | 8:30 AM | Breakfast | All | Grand Salon II/III |
| 8:45 AM | 10:00 AM | Communicating with Today’s College Student | Keystone - Chapter Counselors | Indiana/Iowa/Michigan/Michigan State |
| 8:45 AM | 10:00 AM | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | Keystone - Collegiate Officers | Presidents: Grand Salon I Brotherhood: Marriott Ballroom Risk Management: Chicago E-H Member Education: Chicago A-D |
| 8:45 AM | 10:00 AM | Operational Focus – Rituals and Ceremonies | Leadership Summit | Northwestern/Ohio State/Purdue/Wisconsin |
| 10:15 AM | 11:30 AM | Building Skills for Interpersonal Communication | Keystone - Collegiate Officers | Presidents: Grand Salon I Brotherhood: Marriott Ballroom Risk Management: Chicago E-H Member Education: Chicago A-D |
| 10:15 AM | 11:30 AM | Operational Focus – Alumni Engagement | Leadership Summit | Northwestern/Ohio State/Purdue/Wisconsin |
| 10:15 AM | 11:30 AM | Strategies for Leading and Managing Your Advising Team | Keystone - Chapter Counselors | Indiana/Iowa/Michigan/Michigan State |
| 11:45 AM | 1:00 PM | Beta Theta Pi Foundation Luncheon | All | Grand Salon II/III |
| 1:15 PM | 2:30 PM | Feedback and Accountability as an Advisor | Keystone - Chapter Counselors | Indiana/Iowa/Michigan/Michigan State |
| 1:15 PM | 2:30 PM | Operational Focus – General Fraternity Ambassador | Leadership Summit | Northwestern/Ohio State/Purdue/Wisconsin |
| 1:15 PM | 2:30 PM | Soliciting and Receiving Feedback | Keystone - Collegiate Officers | Presidents: Grand Salon I Brotherhood: Marriott Ballroom Risk Management: Chicago E-H Member Education: Chicago A-D |
| 2:45 PM | 4:15 PM | Understanding the Beta Brotherhood Assessment | All | Grand Salon II/III |
| 4:15 PM | 4:55 PM | Idea Sharing Snack Break | All | 7th Floor Foyer |
| 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM | Accountability as a Leader | Keystone - Collegiate Officers | Presidents: Grand Salon I Brotherhood: Marriott Ballroom Risk Management: Chicago E-H Member Education: Chicago A-D |
| 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM | Beta Volunteer Assessment Overview | Keystone - Chapter Counselors | Indiana/Iowa/Michigan/Michigan State |
| 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM | GFO Roundtable with Beta’s General Secretary | Leadership Summit | Northwestern/Ohio State/Purdue/Wisconsin |
| 6:15 PM | 7:30 PM | The Pursuit: Leadership and the Three Great Principles | Members Only | Grand Salon II/III |
| 6:15 PM | 7:30 PM | Friends of Beta: How to Support Beta Theta Pi's Ritual | Friends of Beta | Indiana/Iowa/Michigan/Michigan State |
| 7:30 PM | 11:30 PM | Dinner (On Your Own) and Exploratory Time | All |
| Time Start | Time End | Session | Program | Room |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | 8:45 AM | Breakfast | Keystone Conference Leadership Summit |
Grand Salon II/III |
| 7:30 AM | 8:45 AM | We Gather Again: Chapter President Breakfast | Presidents Academy | Avenue |
| 9:00 AM | 10:20 AM | Shaping Chapter Culture Strategy Session | Keystone Conference | Breakout Rooms |
| 9:00 AM | 10:20 AM | GFO Role Strategy Planning | Leadership Summit | Great America I/II |
| 10:30 AM | 11:45 AM | Closing General Session | All | Grand Salon II/III |
Program-Specific Agendas
Conclave Sponsors
Leadership Programs
Presidents Academy
CPLA is a two-day intensive leadership training and networking event for chapter presidents, concentrating on personal and group leadership.
Leadership Summit
Leadership Summit provides an opportunity for General Fraternity Officers to meet annually to participate in high-quality training and shape the future of Beta.
Keystone Conferences
Keystone Conference is a high-quality education experience focused on chapter officer development, principled leadership and volunteer training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of the Winter Leadership Conclave instead of separate leadership events?
- A comprehensive experience where all chapter leaders receive education and focused messaging simultaneously.
- Greater opportunities for networking, roundtables, peer-to-peer problem solving and idea sharing.
- Increased exposure to General Fraternity resources.
- Avoid burnout by minimizing travel to only one weekend.
- Streamline attendance during a busy time in the academic year.
How will it work? What is the timing of the programs offered?
- Chapter presidents arrive Thursday, January 9, for CPLA. On Friday afternoon, they join other attendees for Keystone.
- CPLA sessions will be expertly tailored to the needs of chapter presidents and enhance their skills in the role.
- Vice presidents and advisors arrive Friday, January 10, for a Keystone Conference kickoff event.
- All participants depart Sunday, January 12, at noon central time.
How should chapters budget for the event?
- Similar to past winter leadership programs, registration fees will be billed for four (4) collegiate attendees for Keystone and one (1) for CPLA. For budgeting purposes, see fees at beta.org/membershipcosts.
- Chapters should consider the new location when planning for travel expenses and budget for airfare, mileage and parking, if needed.
What will attendees experience at the Winter Leadership Conclave?
- Officer-specific tracks
- High energy keynotes
- Sessions focused on enhancing leadership skills and chapter culture
- A greater understanding of Beta’s Ritual and lore
- Roundtables with chapters of similar size, culture and composition
- Time for leaders to plan for the year ahead
- Collaborative opportunities with Administrative Office staff and General Fraternity Officers
It's held in Chicago in January, what if weather prevents the event from happening?
The Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile hosted CPLA in January 2024 with no weather disruptions. In the event of inclement weather in the area, the Fraternity will pivot its programming to fit a virtual format.
Read the full FAQ
This resource was provided to chapter officers at the announcement of this new event during the 185th General Convention, and provides an overview of the Winter Leadership Conclave. If you have additional questions, contact Senior Director of Leadership and Education Dr. Viancca Williams.
