Tampa Welcomes Shriners from Around the World for 152nd Imperial Session

From July 12-16, nobles from around the globe gathered with their families in Tampa to celebrate our fraternity and philanthropy, Shriners Children’s, at the 152nd Imperial Session of Shriners International, where a major highlight was the election of the new Imperial Potentate.

Throughout the event, the Marketplace and Shriners Zone offered a variety of vendors and diversions. The public opening officially kicked off Session on Monday, followed by the Emeritus Luncheon. Legislation and elections followed for the afternoon and much of Tuesday, including the election of new Imperial Potentate Lawrence J. “Larry” Leib, of Farmington Hills, Michigan. He is serving his 10th year as a member of the Boards of Directors for Shriners International and Shriners Children’s.

Two important luncheons also took place on Tuesday: the Ladies’ Luncheon and the Membership Hall of Fame Luncheon. At the first, ladies enjoyed guest speaker Madelyn Hubbs Rhein, a former Shriners Children’s International Patient Ambassador, and honored outgoing First Lady Cheryl Koehn and her program, Through the Eyes of a Child.

The Imperial Divan and outgoing Imperial Potentate Brad Koehn honored 17 temples at the Membership Hall of Fame Luncheon, highlighting impressive achievements in growing the fraternity’s ranks in 2025.

Platinum Award Recipients included Abou Saad Shriners in Panama City, Panama; Agila Shriners in Davao City, Philippines; Al Rai`e Saleh Shriners in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Almas Shriners in Washington, D.C.; Araba Shriners in Fort Myers, Florida; Emirat Shriners in Wiesbaden, Germany; Hikmat Shriners in Cuiabá, Brazil; Karnak Shriners in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec, Canada; Lubnan Shriners in El Metn, Lebanon; Mecca Shriners in New York, New York; Ñemity Shriners in Asunción, Paraguay; and Salaam Shriners in Whippany, New Jersey. Gold Award Recipients included Aahmes Shriners in Livermore, California; Al Koran Shriners in Middleburg Heights, Ohio; Habibi Shriners in Lake Charles, Louisiana; Kazim Shriners in Roanoke, Virginia; and Moolah Shriners in St. Louis, Missouri.

Tuesday night, nobles and guests gathered in nearby Ybor City as the beloved Imperial Session Parade made its way down Seventh Avenue, with participating units proudly displaying their banners, vehicles, costumed performers and more.

On Wednesday, incoming leaders were honored, starting with a pageant to celebrate Imperial Sir Leib and First Lady Debbie Binder. For the next year, she will serve alongside him and lead a program called Unleashing Courage as chair of Women Impacting Care, a group of female donors and supporters of Shriners Children’s.

During the installation of the Imperial Divan and Board of Trustees, Imperial Sir Leib received his five-star fez, and newly elected officials received their new fezzes, too, including Outer Guard Richard Loomes and Imperial Recorder Richard Burke. In other news, Ñemity Shriners received its charter, and the following were slated to receive dispensation: Alasia Shriners in Nicosia, Cyprus; Ainsijam Shriners in Quito, Ecuador; and Nubia Shriners in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Also that day, the Award of Merit was presented to Past Imperial Potentate Jim Cain of Al Menah Shriners, Past Imperial Potentate Jeffrey L. Sowder of Midian Shriners, Dennis M. Saikaley of Tunis Shriners and William D. Richards Jr. of Irem Shriners. Since 1996, the award has recognized Shriners who have made a remarkable and lasting impact on Shriners International and Shriners Children’s.

Next, Chief Philanthropy Officer Stuart Sullivan presented the Office of Philanthropy Report, and Chief Communications Officer Mel Bower presented the Marketing and Communications Report, featuring a fun newscast theme. During the report, Vice President of Sports Bob Roller announced that the East-West Shrine Bowl, the 101-year-old all-star college football game, will be renamed the Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl to broaden public awareness of the event’s beneficiary.

Following the Patient Success Story Premiere, we welcomed our 2026-2027 International Patient Ambassadors, Macie and Colton, who will be working to spread the message of Shriners Children’s over the next year. Earlier in the week, we said goodbye to our previous International Patient Ambassadors, Carlota and Brandon, who were amazing representatives of our philanthropy.

That night, nobles, ladies and guests moved and grooved at the All Nobility Evening, featuring an exclusive concert by renowned Eagles tribute group Hotel California. Session events concluded the next morning, and Shriners left Tampa with a renewed sense of unity and dedication to the Shriners International fraternity and philanthropy.