Great Lakes Conference

HAVE YOU HEARD?
We have a NEW name for our DCON (District Convention), it’s now…

August 22-25, 2024
Gateway Hotel & Convention Center
5353 Gateway Centre Blvd, Flint, MI 48507 [map link]

Deadlines Extended:
Online Registration and Hotel Block Reservations available until August 14.

This will be a packed, filled weekend with new educational workshops, opportunities for you to volunteer to help us and lots of fun.

Support the MICHIGAN DISTRICT OF KIWANIS with your Ad or Message to appear in the Program Book to be distributed to all attendees at the 107th Annual Convention. Your individual club, division or corporate sponsorship will help to keep the Great Lakes Conference as affordable as possible. Ad sizes and prices included on form, with instruction for submitting artwork. [Download Form]

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Schedule At A Glance

Download Schedule At A Glance PDF

Thursday, August 22nd

• 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm — Registration and Credentials
• 3:00 pm — Lt. Governor-Elects Meeting
• 6:00 pm — District Board Dinner    
• 8:00 pm — District Board Meeting, Foundation Board Meeting

Friday, August 23rd

• 7:00 am – 5:00 pm — Registration and Credentials
• 8:00 am – 9:00 am — Breakfast
• 8:00 am – 5:00 pm — Exhibits and Displays
• 9:00 am – 9:30 am — Resolutions And By-Laws
• 9:30 am – 10:15 am — First Timers Session
• 10:30 am – 11:45 am — Opening And Nominating Session
• 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm — Lunch
• 2:00 pm – 4:45 pm — Education Sessions
• 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm — Networking
• 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm — Dinner
• 6:15 pm – ??? — Re-Connect / Rock ‘n’ Roll – The King Edition

Saturday, August 24th

• 7:00 am – 2:00 pm — Registration and Credentials
• 8:00 am – 2:00 pm — Exhibits And Displays
• 8:00 am – 9:00 am — Breakfast with Kiwanis International President Katrina Baranko
• 9:00 am – 11:45 am — Education Sessions
• 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm — Honors and Awards Lunch (Hosted By Kiwanis of Michigan Foundation)
• 2:00 pm — House of Delegates [Download Certification of Delegates Form]
• 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm — Governor’s Reception
• 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm — Dinner
• 7:30 pm – ??? — Denim and Diamonds Murder Mystery Entertainment

Sunday, August 25th

• 8:00 am – 9:00 am — Breakfast
• 9:00 am – 10:00 am — Celebration of Life Service
• 10:00 am – 11:30 am — Retirement and Installations

Workshop Schedule

Download Workshop Schedule PDF

Friday, August 23rd — 2-2:45 pm

1. Secretary Training, Emily Saalfrank
2. Leadership Training for Club Presidents, Marc Alexander (Leadership Dev. Chair)
3. Finance Issues Update, Paul Walter – Auditor, Walter, Boesky and Assoc.
4. Senior & Veteran Focused Service Projects, Mary Cupolo (Clinton Valley)

Friday, August 23rd — 3-3:45 pm

1. Secretary Training (continues), Emily Saalfrank
2. District Service Networks:
   • a) Aged Out College Bound Foster Kids Support, Lynda McGee (Service Leadership Co-Chair)
   • b) Foster Kids & Sex Trafficking, Melissa Palepu (Service Leadership Co-Chair)
   • c) Suicide Prevention Initiatives, Barry Burnham (Service Leadership Co-Chair)
   • d) Young Children Literacy, Karen Walker (Service Leadership Co-Chair)
3. Effective Marketing & Public Relations, Sarah Hayden (Marketing Chair) & Barb Duran (PR Chair)
4. MDK Foundation Update: Raising Money for the SLP, Jennifer Green (President-MDK Foundation)

Friday, August 23rd — 4-4:45 pm

1. Creating Brand Awareness through video on Social Media, Drake Lolley
2. Club Coaching
3. Aktion Club Awareness, Denny Shumway and Lori Stillwell

Saturday, August 24th — 9-9:45 am

• Plenary Session: 110th Anniversary Kickoff Plan
• Sejla Kulaglic (President Detroit No.1 & Founder’s Day Event Chair)

Saturday, August 24th — 10-10:45 am

1. Key Club & Circle K 2025 Update/Plan, Lori Stillwell (SLP Chair)
2. Youth Protection, Jackie Wickham (Chair)
3. Risk Management Update, Dave Goodwin (Chair)
4. Challenges for a New Club, Nancy Memmer. President Grass Lake Club

Saturday, August 24th — 11-11:45 am

• Plenary Session: Planning Your Club’s Boost
• Past Governor Larry Memmer. Field Operations Chair

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Housing Information

Gateway Hotel & Convention Center
5353 Gateway Centre Blvd, Flint, MI 48507 [map link]
Group rate room booking starts June 1, 2024
Group Code Name “Kiwanis”
Call 810-232-5300 or click here for online booking.

Be prepared to guarantee your room with a credit card. Our Kiwanis Conference discounted rate is guaranteed for 2 days before and after the Conference. Cancellations must be made at least 14 days prior to arrival to avoid charges. We have obtained a special rate – so we encourage you to book within our block. Housing requests are not to be sent to the District Office.

Room Rates: $124.32 per night (Double or King) including all fees and taxes. Parking is complimentary for hotel guests.

Other group lodging options may be available but are not part of the Kiwanis discounted block. If you are interested, ask Gateway Hotel reservations.

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Registration

• One registration per Kiwanis member.
• Registration is by online form only. Online form will be open until August 9 August 14, 2024.
• Late fee applies after August 2, 2024.
• Walk-in registration is handled at the hotel.
• Everyone (Kiwanians and non-Kiwanians) must register if you are attending any part of the conference.
• Cancellation Policy: Anyone who has purchased a registration or event ticket and does not attend will NOT receive a refund. No refunds within 14 days of the start of the event. Exceptions by Executive Board approval only. Email [email protected] to request cancellation.
• Delegate Registration: If you are a Delegate, make sure your Club has submitted the Certification Form [click here to download] to enable you to vote.
• You may pick up your tickets during Registration Hours (they are included with your Registration Materials).
• ALL EVENTS are Pre-Order Only. See On-Site Registration desk for any available tickets at the conference.
• Only registered attendees may receive a meal ticket.

Online registration is closed. Walk-in registration is handled at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center.