Great Lakes Conference

What is the Great Lakes Conference?

The Michigan District of Kiwanis Great Lakes Conference is the district’s premier annual event, bringing members together for leadership training, collaboration, and celebration of service. The conference equips clubs with ideas and connections to strengthen their impact in communities and advance the Kiwanis mission of serving the children of the world.

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BRING YOUR CLUB TO THE TABLE!

Create a centerpiece that highlights your activities, community impact, and creativity. These displays spark conversation, inspire ideas, and celebrate the work happening across our clubs.

SHARE. CONNECT. INSPIRE

Your story. Your impact. Shared across the Great Lakes.

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SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Download Schedule PDF

THURSDAY, August 27, 2026

3-6pm    Registration & Credentials
3pm      Club Connections Hub and Kiwanis of Michigan Foundation Auction Setup
6:30pm   District Board Dinner by invitation only
8pm      District Board Meeting

FRIDAY, August 28, 2026

7am-5pm    Registration & Credentials
8-9am      $$ Breakfast with Friends - hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Lansing
9-11:45am  Leadership Exchange
12-1:45pm  $$ Leadership Lunch with Sheri Jones- hosted by the Kiwanis Club of South Lansing
2-3:30pm   Community Engagement Summit
4-5:30pm   Opening Session
6-8pm      Dinner on Your Own and Amplify/SLP Alumni/Young Professionals Meet Up
8pm        $$ Great Lakes Bingo Bash - hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Grass Lake Area

SATURDAY, August 29, 2026

7am-2pm    Registration & Credentials
8-11:45am  Club Connections Hub & Kiwanis of Michigan Foundation Auction
8-9am      $$ Breakfast & Conversations of International Trustee Jo Schwartz -hosted by the Kiwanis Club of East Lansing
9-11:45am  Leadership Exchange
12-1:45pm  $$ Honors Lunch with our Service Leadership Family - hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Dearborn
2-4pm      House of Delegates
6-6:45pm   Governor's Reception
7-8:30pm   $$ Governor's Dinner - hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Clinton Valley
8:30pm     $$ Music, Laughs and Dueling Pianos

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2026

8:30-9:30am   $$ Celebration of Life Breakfast - hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Haslett/Okemos
9:45-11:30am  Retirement and Installation of the Michigan District of Kiwanis Leadership

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2026 Housing Information

Crowne Plaza Hotel
925 South Creyts Road, Lansing, MI

• Housing requests are not to be sent to the District Office.
• Hotel Rooms will go fast. Check back soon to reserve your hotel at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Room Rates

Hotel Reservations Now Available
Book your stay at the Crowne Plaza Lansing by visiting www.crowneplaza.com/lansing, enter your checkin/check-out dates, and use group code KWS.

You may also call (877) 322-5544 and reference the group access code.

The special conference rate is $149 per night, plus 6% state tax and 6% room assessment.
Reserve your room by Friday, August 14, 2026, to receive the group rate.

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Delegate Registration

• Delegate Registration: If you are a Delegate, make sure your Club Secretary has submitted the Certification Form to the District Office by August 1 to enable you to vote. Delegate forms MUST be signed by your club President and Secretary and can not be signed at GLC unless approved by Executive Director, Ben Probert.

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Sponsorships and Program Book Ads

Support the MICHIGAN DISTRICT OF KIWANIS with your Ad or Message to appear in the Program Book to be distributed to all attendees. 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.

2026 Program Book Sponsorships are sold out. Thank you to our 2026 Program Book Sponsors.

Contact the Michigan District of Kiwanis Office at 517-676-3837 for more information on supporting the Michigan District of Kiwanis at the 2026 Michigan Kiwanis Great Lakes Conference. 2026 Sponsorships are sold out.

Thank You to the following 2026 Great Lakes Conference Sponsors

• Lake Superior – $1500
  • Martin Commercial Properties
• Lake Huron – $1000
  • Anonymous
• Lake Michigan – $750
• Lake Erie – $500
  • Greenlee Consulting
• Lake Ontario – $300
  • Cranberry Lake Campground
  • Heidi Ho Nuts Corporation
• Lake St. Claire – $250
  • Kiwanis Club of Colonial Plymouth