Shriners from Around the World Convened in Atlanta for 151st Imperial Session

Nobles from around the globe gathered with their families to celebrate our fraternity and philanthropy, Shriners Children’s, at the 151st Imperial Session of Shriners International, held in Atlanta from June 27 to July 3. A major highlight of the event was the election of the new Imperial Potentate.

The Marketplace and Shriners Zone were open for shopping and fun throughout the annual event, featuring a variety of vendors and diversions. A talent show, Shriners Got Talent, officially kicked off Session on Sunday, starring nobles and ladies showing off their skills. Later that day, the always popular Imperial Session Parade made its way down Peachtree Street to cheers and applause. Participating units flaunted their banners, vehicles, costumed performers and more.

Legislation and elections occupied much of Monday and Tuesday. An open election was held at Session to choose the new leader of Shriners International. Imperial Treasurer Brad Koehn of Topeka, Kansas, came out on top as Imperial Potentate.

Tuesday also featured two important luncheons: the Ladies’ Luncheon and the Membership Hall of Fame Luncheon. At the first, ladies lunched and donned their best Southern charm-themed attire to honor outgoing First Lady Judy Burke and celebrate her program, On Angels’ Wings.

At the Membership Hall of Fame Luncheon, 14 temples were honored by outgoing Imperial Potentate Richard Burke and the Imperial Divan for their impressive achievements in growing the fraternity’s ranks in 2024. “These hard-at-work temples are setting a new standard of membership, which we remain committed to at Shriners,” he said.

Platinum Award Recipients included Agila Shriners in Davao City, Philippines; Bolivia Shriners in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia; Emirat Shriners in Wiesbaden, Germany; Hikmat Shriners in Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, Brazil; Mabuhay Shriners in Manila, Philippines; and Sahib Shriners in Sarasota, Florida. Gold Award Recipients included Almas Shriners in Washington, D.C.; Anezeh Shriners in Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico; Hillah Shriners in Medford, Oregon; Kismet Shriners in Massapequa, New York; Mahi Shriners in Miami, Florida; Oleika Shriners in Lexington, Kentucky; Omar Shriners in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina; and Pyramid Shriners in Stratford, Connecticut. Meanwhile, 11 temples received the Conversions Excellence designation, and 19 won the Creations Excellence designation for their exceptional membership-growth efforts.

Incoming leaders were honored on Wednesday, beginning with a pageant to celebrate Imperial Sir Koehn and his wife, First Lady Cheryl. She will serve alongside him for the next year and will champion a program called Through the Eyes of a Child as chair of Women Impacting Care, a group of female donors and supporters of Shriners Children’s.

Not only did Imperial Sir Koehn receive his five-star fez during the installation of the Imperial Divan and the Board of Trustees, but other newly elected officials received new fezzes, too, including new Imperial Treasurer Scott Schuster and new Imperial Outer Guard Rick Holloway. In other news, Brian Hagmeier was appointed Imperial Chaplain, the Board of Trustees welcomed Dennis Hewatt and Acrux Shriners of Australia received their charter.

On Wednesday, the Award of Merit was presented to Past Imperial Potentate Jerry Gantt of Arabia Shriners, Bob Conley of Saladin Shriners, Greg Schuller of Bedouin Shriners and Dennis Hewatt of Yaarab Shriners. Created in 1996, the award is given by the Imperial Potentate to Shriners who have made an outstanding and lasting impact on Shriners International and Shriners Children’s.

Afterward, the Office of Philanthropy Report was presented by Chief Philanthropy Officer Stuart Sullivan, and the Marketing and Communications Report was presented by Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Mel Bower, featuring a fun Jeopardy! theme. A new fraternal marketing campaign was introduced, featuring toolkits that will be distributed to Shriners, and nobles were also excited to learn that Shriners Children’s is planning to build a new pediatric medical research facility in Atlanta, working in conjunction with the Georgia Institute of Technology. In addition, it was incredible to hear that Shriners Children’s has now cared for nearly 2 million patients worldwide, an outstanding milestone.

Following the Patient Success Story Premiere, we welcomed our 2025-2026 International Patient Ambassadors, Carlota and Brandon, whom we look forward to working with over the next year to spread the message of Shriners Children’s. Earlier in the week, we said goodbye to our previous International Patient Ambassadors, Paige and Grayson, who were wonderful representatives of our philanthropy.

Later, guests danced the night away at the All Nobility Evening, featuring an exclusive concert by Emmy Award-winning Beatles tribute group The Fab Four. The next morning, events concluded, and Shriners left Atlanta with renewed vigor for the Shriners International fraternity and philanthropy.