About the 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.
Essential Information
DATES
Presidents Academy: Thursday, January 7 – Friday, January 8, 2027
Keystone: Friday, January 8 – Sunday, January 10, 2027
Leadership Summit: Friday, January 8 – Sunday, January 10, 2027
PARTICIPANTS
- Chapter president
- Vice presidents of brotherhood, recruitment and member education
- 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.
“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
Who attends Winter Leadership Conclave?
In 2027, Winter Leadership Conclave will bring together chapter presidents, vice presidents of brotherhood, education and recruitment, 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 Brotherhood: It is an expectation the vice president of brotherhood will attend this program. If the vice president of brotherhood cannot attend, please work with your chapter’s Fraternity Services staff member to identify the most appropriate replacement such as another executive board officer, the Ritual chairman or a member of Kai Committee.
- Vice President of Education: It is an expectation the vice president of education will attend this program. If the vice president of education cannot attend, please work with your chapter’s Fraternity Services staff member to identify the most appropriate replacement such as another executive officer — not a non-officer.
- Vice President of Recruitment: It is an expectation the vice president of recruitment will attend this program. If the vice president of recruitment cannot attend, please work with your chapter’s Fraternity Services staff member to identify the most appropriate replacement such as another executive officer — not a non-officer.
Member Education Advisors
The Keystone Leadership Conference at the Winter Leadership Conclave will include a track tailored to member education advisors. If the member education advisor cannot attend, the chapter counselors or another involved advisor may attend in their place. Please work with your chapter’s 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.
When and where does Winter Leadership Conclave take place?
Winter Leadership Conclave will take place January 7-10, 2027, 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 should arrive on the day their programming begins noted above by 3:00 p.m. CT. Plan for travel time; both Chicago airports are about 45 minutes from the hotel.
- Programming concludes on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT. If flying, book flights departing after 2:30 p.m. CT to allow time for travel and security checkpoints.
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.
All attendees will stay at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, the same hotel Winter Leadership Conclave sessions held at. Sleeping accommodations 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 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.
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 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.
Please arrive on the first day of your program by 3:00 p.m. CT, taking into account up to an hour to get from the airport if flying. This is Thursday, January 7, for chapter presidents and this is Friday, January 8, for remaining 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.
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!
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 $135 for chapter president’s attendance at Presidents Academy and $325 for their attendance at Keystone.
- Chapters are invoiced $315 for each of the three additional vice presidents attending Keystone Conference through installments in the months leading up to Conclave.
- There is no registration fee for chapter advisors and General Fraternity Officers.
For budgeting purposes, see fees at beta.org/membershipcosts. Chapter officers and advisors are responsible for covering their own travel costs, or seeking reimbursement from the chapter if applicable. 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. 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.
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?
Contact events@beta.org with any questions you may have about the event!
