Convention 2024 in Orlando, Florida, July 11-14, was one of the best yet! With top-notch training, the business of the Fraternity, phenomenal (and funny) keynote speakers, volunteer awards, useful and engaging breakout sessions, parties, food, our own fireworks display and even a free day to relax by the lazy river or explore Orlando, there was no shortage of fun, excitement and Tri Delta togetherness.
While we can’t possibly capture the entire event on a computer screen, here are the highlights for our attendees to relive and those of you who couldn’t make it to get a taste of what makes Convention special. Read until the end and we’ll let you know where we are headed for Tri Delta’s 62nd Biennial Convention in 2026. Our guess is, you won’t want to miss it!
Watch the Recap Video
Celebrating Tri Delta’s Alumnae
Recognizing and celebrating our alumnae is a highlight at Convention. Not only did we honor members marking 10, 25 and 50 years in Tri Delta with our Milestone Ceremonies, we were also thrilled to announce the recipients of our 2024 Volunteer Service Awards, our alumnae chapter awards and our local house corporation awards. Click here to read about all our outstanding award winners who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication and service to Tri Delta.
St. Jude’s Official Partner of Kindness
ALSAC/St. Jude President Rick Shadyac joined us and took the stage to announce not only that we have raised $100 million in our 25-year partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, but also that we have been named as St. Jude’s Official Partner of Kindness! But the biggest new he had to share was our new commitment to raise $100 million by 2038—coinciding with our celebration of 150 years of Tri Delta. We are thrilled at what we have accomplished, and we know we’re up to the challenge!
Our 2023 & 2024 Women of Achievement
We were so honored to have five trailblazers whose unique accomplishments and unselfish leadership have made an impact in their communities, broken barriers in their careers and left a lasting mark on the world. Spending time in their presence, getting to learn from them in breakout sessions and connecting in small ways across the weekend was truly special. We hope you’ll get inspired by these incredible Tri Deltas in the 2023-2024 Women of Achievement video.
Business Meeting Highlights
Alumnae and collegiate chapter delegates conducted the business of the Fraternity, including proposed amendments to our Bylaws, affirmation of the Fraternity President and Executive Board slate and approval of the Leadership Cultivation & Selection Committee slate. Delegates were reminded of the “great responsibility given to them by their chapter and our Fraternity,” and we all owe them our thanks for the care, preparation and attention they gave to this important duty.
A Very Special Alumnae Initiation
Nine women were initiated into our sisterhood during Convention 2024! We conducted our first alumnae-led Initiation, modified to retain the deep meaning given to us by our Founders but easy for alumnae chapters to hold almost anywhere. Several of our initiates are close to our hearts, including Fraternity President Elizabeth Howard DiMartino’s mother and sister and Foundation Board Chair Dr. Diane Petersen’s sister—who wore Diane’s Trident from her own Initiation, bringing tears to many eyes. It was a truly special moment, and we welcome these women to lifelong friendship in Tri Delta!
Captivating Keynote Speakers
During a fireside chat with Interim CEO Mindy Tucker, Southern Methodist, renowned Presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author shared Doris Kearns Goodwin, Colby, stories and insights from her illustrious career. At 81 years young, she captivated us with stories of her late husband, Dick Goodwin, and her new book “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s” which artfully weaves together biography, memoir and history. Her humor, warmth and wisdom shone through as she shared anecdotes about Presidents and their First Ladies, with timeless lessons on leadership and resilience as well as the transformative power of Tri Delta sisterhood. It was a truly memorable time for history buffs and lovers of human interest stories alike!
Twin sisters and co-CEOs Chanda Aebersold Bell and Christa Aebersold Pitts, both West Georgia, enthralled the audience with their journey taking their family’s simple holiday tradition—The Elf of the Shelf—to a global company that revolutionized Christmas! These powerhouses embody the idea that the power of one simple idea, no matter how small, can lead to a massive impact. Their story highlighted the importance of determination, passion and the ability to adapt. Most of all, their heartwarming and witty keynote inspired all of us to believe in our potential to change the world with our unique ideas.
Learning, Growth and Development
This year, alumnae and collegiate chapter leaders started their experience with pre-Convention training. But the learning and growing didn’t end there!
We also designated an entire day to personal and professional development, open to all women, with specialized tracks custom-created for alumnae and collegians. Topics included entrepreneurial journeys, personal branding, mindfulness, financial literacy and effective board service. These sessions featured inspiring speakers in small-group settings, allowing our members to dig in on relevant, interesting topics, ask questions and network with each other.
Flamingling and Fun Times
Thursday night’s opening tropical-themed party was a blast, combining floral wear, flamingo accessories and service for St. Jude! We assembled 6,000 welcome kits for families visiting Tri Delta Place on the St. Jude campus, followed by a late-night poolside hangout on the beautiful Oasis lawn.
Friday night was all about sisterhood at our “Where Sisterhood Sparkles” dinner and reception. The sparkle was spot on, the friendships flourished and the dance moves dazzled as DJ Andre spun his tunes from ’70s disco to hip hop to Taylor. Saturday was for chilling in comfy clothes as if it were a cozy night in at the chapter house at “Saturday Is for Sisterhood.” We began with a movie, played board games, made friendship bracelets and mingled with Tri Delta’s 2024-2026 leaders. The night ended with a boom with a spectacular fireworks display.
Tri Delta Central
Browsing Convention history from the Ginger Hicks Smith Museum & Archives, shopping Tri Delta merch, virtually walking through some of our Tri Delta homes, learning about alumnae engagement opportunities and getting to know Tri Delta’s Foundation’s mission—Tri Delta Central buzzed with activity the entire weekend long! Included in the space was a wall of flamingos, purchased in honor of sisters around the world through donations to the Foundation.
These Convention mascots not only added to the festivities, they also added the total of $50,700 raised over the weekend—the most we ever raised at a Convention. Our attendees really embraced the mission of sisters helping sisters!
Farewell, Sisters
Sunday came too quickly and was bittersweet as we had to say goodbye to the fun, excitement, growth and experiences, turning them into cherished memories. We lit the room with candles for our Founders, for Tri Delta, for Tri Delta’s future and for our chapters. As we listened to Fraternity President Elizabeth Howard DiMartino’s final remarks, we left knowing the Fraternity is in strong, capable hands for the biennium ahead:
“Thank you, again, for coming to Convention 2024 and celebrating all that makes Tri Delta so special with us. I know I will cherish the memories here in Orlando for a lifetime—and I leave here knowing our powerful bonds of friendship are that much stronger for the time we have spent together.”
The final gavel closed Convention 2024 … BUT, in 2025 we will be heading to Denver for our 62nd Biennial Convention at the Gaylord Rockies. We can’t wait to see you then!