Shriners International Education Foundation Hosts 2025 Membership & Marketing Conference

Being a Shriner is about continual learning and self-improvement, and the Shriners International Education Foundation Noble Academy's 2025 Membership & Marketing Conference was designed to be a vital part of that journey. This important event wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of platinum-level sponsor Moslem Shriners and silver-level sponsor Fratline Emblematics.

Hosted April 10-12 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida, the event was open to all members of Masonic and women’s organizations and was a can’t-miss event for membership and marketing chairmen, in particular.

“If membership and marketing matter to your organization, you need to be here,” said attendee Sean Martin of Gizeh Shriners. “These are some of the biggest issues that I feel Masonry has and will continue to have until we figure it out. Getting in a room with everybody and working on it collaboratively together is really where these solutions are going to get made.”

Attendees enjoyed engaging keynote speakers, including experts in the fields of membership recruitment and retention, marketing and communications, and branding; learning labs, where they interacted with learners from all regions and organizations on a variety of topics; networking lunches; a poolside cocktail reception (time to have fun and relax with fellow participants); and an optional excursion at Dezerland Park.

Speakers included keynote presenters Ramsey Bergeron, a leadership coach, and Patrick Henry, a songwriter and performer. Guests also heard from a Grand Masters panel featuring M∴W∴ Richard E. Lynn, PGM, grand secretary; M∴W∴ Donald W. Cowart, grand master; M∴W∴ Mark A. Bradley, grand master; and Steve Norris, of the Imperial Mason Relations Committee.

Additional speakers included Zane Clark of Sticky Notes Innovation Agency; Dave Kelm, Assistant Rabban, Ansar Shriners; Rusty Petty, past Potentate, Ansar Shriners; Alan Kelvin, executive director, DeMolay International; Beth Garden, chairman of the board of trustees, Job’s Daughters International, Kevin Crowsyn, owner of Crowsyn Creative LLC. Several members of Melha Shriners shared their wisdom, including Don Carberry, membership chairman; Mike Paciorek, chief director; and Michael White, marketing director of Region 9.

The Noble Academy Membership & Marketing Conference is complemented by four virtual events that take place throughout the year. Learners may enroll in one or two certificate programs – apprentice, fellow or masters class – representing different learning levels for varied levels of experience. The final installment of the 5th Annual Virtual Event Series takes place May 21, 2025.

Stay tuned for upcoming information on the 2026 event series.