LOOK BACK KAPPA HISTORY
#KLAVE2025
There are many more moving parts, with dozens of individual events to manage during a typical Conclave Week. ♦ Today’s GCMs are large-scale events managed by separate subcommittees to conduct the fraternity’s business. Instead of the GCMs strictly for conducting Kappa’s business, the Conclave also now promotes Kappa’s initiatives to a wider audience, including the local community of the host city. ♦ Today’s GCMs are a week-long, multi-million-dollar production that financially enhances the Fraternity and the host city. Below is an excerpt from an August 10, 2023, press release from Visit Tampa about the 86th Grand Chapter Meeting in Tampa, FL [July 18-23, 2023] recapping that GCM’s impact on the Tampa community. “As the first of the Divine Nine organizations, a National Pan-Hellenic Council com- prising historically African American fraternities and sororities, to host a national convention in Tampa Bay, it [Tampa Conclave] attracted nearly 15,000 (up from the 13,000 expected) attendees, including its members, families and national presidents from other Divine Nine sororities and fraternities. With the overwhelming interest from convention attendees across the globe, the [Kappa Alpha Psi] sold out eight hotels throughout Hillsborough County, resulting in an estimated $8 million in economic impact.” ♦ Another significant change in GCMs is the impact of technology. To support today’s GCMs, the Fraternity utilizes electronic delegation registration, including payment, electronic balloting, and social media to market Conclaves and publicize events. Conclave planning meetings are conducted over virtual conference calls. The Fraternity has used a smartphone application specifically for GCMs, which provides a Schedule of Events, notification alerts, and other features. Notable Developments in Today’s Grand Chapter Meetings v. Past Conclaves
of interested cities. The RFP details the specific criteria and guidelines that outline the content to be included in each bid submission. In conjunction with International Headquarters (IHQ), the GCMC facilitates the selection process by providing the bid proposal com- parison analysis to the Grand Board of Directors (GBOD). The GBOD mem- bers then vote to determine the host city. As the 87th Grand Chapter Meet- ing draws closer, the GCMC is busy coordinating operational plans and schedules for the Phoenix Conclave while managing the site selection processes for both the 89th Grand Chapter Meeting, scheduled for 2029, and the 2026 National Founders’ Day Weekend Observance.
PLANNING A GRAND CHAPTER MEETING
The GCMC and IHQ negotiate all the space required for a GCM, including the meeting hall, banquet, exhibition hall for vendors, additional meeting rooms, and operating space for IHQ Additional GCM needs include the operational space required for seven auxiliary groups and programs: • LEAD Kappa • National Silhouettes • Senior Kappas Affairs • The Kappa Foundation • Military and Veterans Affairs Commission (MVAC) • Guide Right/Kappa League • Health and Awareness (Health Fair) The above groups provide the GCMC with their respective space requirements and itineraries. The
GRAND CHAPTER MEETING COMMITTEE
• Catering Service • Transportation • Logistics • Financial Analysis • Event Support Services
The Fraternity established the Grand Chapter Meeting Committee (GCMC) in the mid-1990s. The GCMC is responsible for the site selection evaluation and analysis, overall event planning, operational execution, and logistical activities to support the GCM, National Founders’ Day (NFD) Weekend Observance, and other Grand Chapter events. Operational and planning support areas included: • Venue Selection • Production • Lodging
The National Meeting Planner, appointed by the Grand Polemarch, chairs the GCMC and reports to the Executive Committee of the Grand Board of Directors. When determining the host city for the GCM or NFD, the GCMC spearheads the bid solicitation process by issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB)
SPRING 2025 ♦ THE JOURNAL 51
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