about the economic impact on the region this conclave will have. This event will bring an estimated 10,000 del- egates, members and their families to Philadelphia July 30 through August 4, 2019, pumping millions of dollars into the economy from transportation, hotels accommo- dations, meals, to local retail businesses and activities. The biennial event features meetings, seminars, training sessions, workshops, concerts and activities that high- light the vision and good work the fraternity does around the world. Almost three years ago, the Philadelphia (PA) Alumni Chapter of created a committee chaired by entrepreneur Sam Patterson with the specific goal of bringing a Grand Chapter Meeting back to Philadelphia. Philadelphia last hosted a conclave in 1995. The local planning com- mittee and province leadership, under the tutelage of Province Polemarch Craig C. Chisholm, collaborated with the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau
to make a presentation to the Grand Board of Direc- tors. They hosted visits by the Grand Board who toured the city, met with civic and elected officials and frater- nity leaders who promoted the benefits of coming to Philadelphia. The Grand Board of Directors selected Philadelphia for the site of their 2019 Grand Chapter Meeting in 2017. In addition to conducting the fraternity’s business and providing an opportunity for members and their families to fellowship, the fraternity also makes a conscious deci- sion to have a positive impact on the city and region that hosts the Grand Chapter meeting. Philadelphia (PA) Alumni Chapter Polemarch L. Douglas Harrell shared the selected organization the 2019 Grand Chapter Meeting will benefit. “The impact we hope to have is to give back to the School District of Philadelphia. One of the things we do when we come to a city is make a significant contribution to the community, where we
14 | SUMMER ISSUE THE JOURNAL
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