About the Winter Leadership Conclave
In 2025, Beta Theta Pi introduced a new concept for its winter leadership development training programs: Bring the Miller Nichols Chapter Presidents Leadership Academy, Keystone Regional Leadership Conference and Hugh E. Stephenson Jr. Leadership Summit together for intensive officer and volunteer education for one weekend in one location – downtown Chicago!
Essential Information
DATES
Presidents Academy: Thursday, January 8 – Friday, January 9, 2026
Keystone: Friday, January 9 – Sunday, January 11, 2026
Leadership Summit: Friday, January 9 – Sunday, January 11, 2026
PARTICIPANTS
- Chapter president
- Vice president of finance
- Vice president of administration (or the officer in charge of attendance, minutes, chapter records, roster and/or chapter-wide communication methods)
- Vice president of programming (or the officer who manages the chapter’s programming and calendar for events such as service, philanthropy and alumni relations)
- 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.
Quick Links
Registration
Registration for all tracks closes December 10.
Attendee Information Packet
Everything you need for a great experience in one place.
“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
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 is Winter Leadership Conclave?
Beta Theta Pi’s Winter Leadership Conclave is the Fraternity’s exciting new approach to chapter officer leadership development, combining Miller Nichols Chapter Presidents Leadership Academy, Keystone Leadership Conference and Hugh E. Stephenson Jr. Leadership Summit in one transformative weekend under a single roof.
Expect a fast-paced, immersive program that kicks off early in the morning and runs into the evening, designed to fully engage officers in their role-specific track. Unlike typical conferences where attendees pick and choose sessions, every part of the track builds upon the last to deliver an engaging, hands-on learning experience that will sharpen skills, strengthen chapters and energize the brotherhood.
What will attendees experience at the Winter Leadership Conclave?
Winter Leadership Conclave is where Beta brothers and Friends of Beta come together to grow, lead and make chapters and the General Fraternity stronger. Participants attend track-specific programming where every session is designed to build on the last, creating a progressive learning experience. Here’s how it works:
- Role-based tracks with interactive sessions allow each participant to engage in hands-on exercises, scenario-based problem solving, and group discussions that teach practical skills to help you succeed in your role.
- General sessions bring all participants together, regardless of track, for shared learning and inspiration.
- Idea sharing breaks allow participants to connect, share ideas, and build relationships with Betas and Friends of Beta from across North America.
- Q&A breakout sessions led by Administrative Office staff and General Fraternity volunteers allow participants to ask questions, hear real-world examples, and learn about the ins and outs of successful chapters.
- Group strategy sessions give participants the chance to turn what they’ve learned into practical plans they can use back in their chapters.
- Ritual-focused sessions help participants understand Beta Theta Pi’s core values and show how its traditions support strong, effective chapters.
- General networking lets participants meet brothers and volunteers from other chapters, share experiences, exchange ideas and build connections that extend beyond the Conclave.
Who attends Winter Leadership Conclave?
In 2026, Winter Leadership Conclave will bring together chapter presidents, vice presidents of administration, finance and programming, chapter counselors, regional and district chiefs, guest speakers, facilitators, Administrative Office staff and collegiate interns.
Collegiate Chapter Officers
- Chapter Presidents: It is an expectation the chapter president attends this program for an optimal officer experience. If the chapter president cannot attend, please work with your chapter’s Fraternity Services staff member to identify the most appropriate replacement such as your executive vice president or another second-in-command — not a non-officer.
- Vice President of Finance: It is an expectation the vice president of finance will attend this program. If the vice president of finance cannot attend, please work with your chapter’s Fraternity Services staff member to identify the most appropriate replacement such as a finance committee member or another executive board officer — not a non-officer.
- Vice President of Administration: It is an expectation the vice president of administration will attend this program. If the vice president of administration cannot attend, please work with your chapter’s Fraternity Services staff member to identify the most appropriate replacement such as the secretary, officer in charge of attendance, minutes, roster and communications, or another executive officer — not a non-officer.
- Vice President of Programming: It is an expectation the vice president of programming will attend this program. If the vice president of programming cannot attend, please work with your chapter’s Fraternity Services staff member to identify the most appropriate replacement such as your social chairman, vice president of risk management or another executive officer — not a non-officer.
Chapter Counselors
We invite Chapter Counselors to attend Winter Leadership Conclave and participate in the advisor track of Keystone Conference, which offers dedicated training for the role, valuable opportunities to connect with other volunteers and interactive experiences with the officers they advise. If the Chapter Counselor cannot attend, another involved advisor may attend in their place. Please work with your Fraternity Services staff member to identify an appropriate replacement.
General Fraternity Officers
Leadership Summit will be taking place at Winter Leadership Conclave; this programming is focused for the Fraternity’s district and regional chiefs. In addition to Leadership Summit, chiefs will participate in other Conclave offerings that will allow them to interact with their role-specific stakeholders.
How do I register for Conclave?
Collegiate Officer Registration
Advisor, GFO and Staff Registration
Can chapters send more than four collegiate officers to Conclave?
While we understand the desire to include additional officers or assistants (and appreciate your energy and commitment to leadership development), the programming is specifically designed for the roles outlined. Additionally, space in our event venues and hotel accommodations are limited. We appreciate your understanding!
How much does is cost to attend Winter Leadership Conclave?
Collegiate chapters are automatically billed for each officer invited to attend that year, regardless of attendance. Since the Chapter Presidents Leadership Academy and Keystone Leadership Conference are required programs, the charges appear on chapter statements prior to Conclave. Charges include:
- Chapters are invoiced $130 for chapter president’s attendance at Presidents Academy and $315 for their attendance at Keystone.
- Chapters are invoiced $315 for each of the three additional vice presidents attending Keystone Conference.
- There is no registration fee for chapter counselors and General Fraternity Officers.
For budgeting purposes, see fees at beta.org/membershipcosts. Chapters are responsible for covering their travel costs. When planning for travel expenses, chapters should consider the location and depending on how they choose to get there, they should budget for airfare, mileage and/or parking.
When and where does Winter Leadership Conclave take place?
Winter Leadership Conclave will take place January 8-11, 2026 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile.
- Chapter presidents arrive Thursday, a day prior than other attendees, for Presidents Academy.
- Vice presidents, advisors and General Fraternity Officers must arrive on Friday to join presidents for the official Conclave kickoff event.
- All participants depart Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time.
Worried about inclement winter weather in Chicago? We’re not! We’ve been hosting early January events at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile since 2024 with no weather disruptions. Of course, inclement weather in the area is possible and the Fraternity will pivot its programming format if it does occur.
How do I get to Conclave?
You can fly, drive, take a train or ride the bus to Winter Leadership Conclave, depending on what works best for your chapter.
Flying: The nearest major airports are O’Hare International Airport (ORD) or Midway International Airport (MDW), located 12-15 miles away. Expect 45 minutes to an hour of travel time via rideshare or public transit (Blue to Red line) from ORD, or 30 to 45 minutes via rideshare or public transit (Orange to Red Line) from MDW. We recommend booking at least one month before the event starts for the best fares.
Driving: Carpool with your chapter delegation or delegations from other chapters. Parking is conveniently located within a block at the Rush-Ohio-Wabash (ROW) Parking Garage for $35 per night.
Train or bus: The closest major train and bus station to the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile is Union Station, conveniently located less than two miles away from the hotel.
Plan ahead and coordinate travel with your chapter delegation to ensure everyone arrives on time and ready to take full advantage of the Conclave experience!
Who pays for my travel?
Chapters should budget for travel for collegiate officers and chapter counselors; individuals will likely need to be reimbursed by their chapter. The General Fraternity does offer a limited amount of need-based travel funds for chapter officers and chapter counselors. If your chapter may need assistance, please reach out to your chapter’s Fraternity Services staff member to discuss options.
General Fraternity Officers may be eligible for reimbursement for some or all of your travel.
When should I arrive and when can I depart?
Chapter presidents are expected to arrive at the hotel no later than 3:00 p.m. Central on Thursday, January 8, 2026. All others are expected to arrive at the hotel on Friday, January 9, 2026, no later than 3:00 p.m. Those that fly should arrive on the first day of their program with enough time to travel via taxi, rideshare or public transit to the hotel, which can take up to an hour.
Please arrive on the first day of your program; this is Thursday, January 8, for chapter presidents and this is Friday, January 9, for additional chapter officers and all volunteers. Please reach out to events@beta.org to request early-arrival approval. Requests will be approved by discretion of the Leadership and Education department and are not guaranteed. Attendees that arrive early without pre-approval may be responsible for the costs of their own accommodations until the day their programming begins.
Expect the weekend’s programming to end around 12:00 p.m. CT on Sunday. It is recommended to book flights departing after 2:30 p.m. to allow for travel time and time through security checkpoints.
Where does everyone stay during Winter Leadership Conclave?
All attendees will stay at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, the hotel Winter Leadership Conclave is held at. Sleeping accomodations are booked by Administrative Office staff once you register, so no need to book a room. All you need to do is determine your travel plans!
What if I've registered but can no longer attend?
If you are unable to attend Winter Leadership Conclave, first coordinate with your chapter officers to identify the best possible substitute. Once a replacement is chosen, contact events@beta.org as soon as possible to update registration. If a substitute cannot be identified, reach out to events@beta.org promptly to work through a solution.
What if I have more questions?
Take a look at our comprehensive Attendee Information Packet for additional information. If your answer isn’t found there, contact events@beta.org with any questions you may have about the event!
