Download the 171st Frequently Asked Questions

Who can register for and attend Convention?
Any Beta, Beta Sweetheart, or Friend of Beta is welcome and encouraged to attend the General Convention. There also may be additional speakers or special guests in attendance.

How do I register?
Registration can be found on-line at the main page for Convention.

What do I do if I’m having trouble registering?
Call (800) 800-2382 and ask for help with Convention registration.

What does my registration include?
There are many different registration packages to the General Convention. Each individual qualifies for a particular package which are detailed in the registration process.

What if I’m graduating in May and want to go as an alumni member?
This kind of registration is a special case that requires a manual registration. Please call the Administrative Office at (800) 800-2382 and ask for Kathy Plummer. She will be happy to help you.

At what property is the General Convention going to be held?
Beta Theta Pi is extremely fortunate to be hosting the 171st General Convention at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. More information on the resort can be found at http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wasgw-crystal-gateway-marriott/. The hotel is located at 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202 with phone number 703-920-3230.

How do I book my hotel room? (necessary for alumni and guest registration packages)
Alumni and guests wishing to book a room with the Crystal Gateway Marriott should go online to https://resweb.passkey.com/go/Beta or call the hotel registration services at 1-800-266-9432 to reserve a room by the deadline of July 9th. Be sure to ask for the “Beta Theta Pi Fraternity room block rate” to qualify for the special price. Delegates, Leadership College participants and General Fraternity Officers do not need to book hotel rooms. This will be taken care of for you through the Administrative Office.

What if rooming is included in my package but I would like a single or double room?
For participants that are assigned to a double room that would like a single room (total upgrade cost of $225.00) OR participants assigned to a quad room that would like a double room ($112.50), you can select this option while registering online.

Do I still qualify for the reduced room rate if I come early or stay longer?
All Beta Theta Pi guests qualify for a special rate of $135 (+ tax) per night for three days before and three days after the official Convention dates pending availability. Regardless of your registration package, you need to reserve your room directly with the hotel for outside of the official Convention dates. The official Convention dates are August 5th to August 8th.

What are check-in and check-out times for the hotel?
Check-in time is 4 p.m. and check-out time is 1 p.m.

When should I plan to arrive?
In order to experience the full Convention, all participants (except General Fraternity Officers and facilitators) should plan on arriving at the hotel property no later than 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 5th. This will ensure ample time for hotel check-in before the track orientations at 3 p.m.

The General Fraternity Officers and facilitators should arrive by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 4th for training and education at 5 p.m.

When should I plan to depart?
In order to experience the full Convention, all participants (except GFOs) should plan on departing the hotel property anytime after 10 a.m. on Sunday, August 8th. For General Fraternity Officers, flights should be scheduled to depart no earlier than noon on Sunday.

What airport should I fly into? How do I get to the hotel?
The greater Washington, D.C. are is served by three major airports:
Reagan National (DCA) - located one mile from the hotel, there is a complimentary shuttle service, on request. The subway fee is $1.50 and the estimated taxi fare is $7.00 US dollars.
Washington Dulles (IAD) - located 28 miles from the hotel Dulles does not offer shuttle service and the estimated taxi fare is $45.00 US dollars.
Baltimore-Washington (BWI) - located 55 miles from the hotel BWI does not offer shuttle service and the estimated taxi fare is $65.00 US dollars. However, the MARC train connects to the DC Metro for $6.00.

If I’m driving, where do I get directions to the hotel?
Directions to the hotel property can be found at the Crystal Gateway Marriott’s website at http://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/directions/wasgw-crystal-gateway-marriott/.

Is there parking at the hotel?
Yes, the Crystal Gateway has on-site parking for $10 per hour or $21 daily and valet parking is $27 per day. 

What happened to the Convention Kickoff program?
Travel from the west coast this year will make it extremely difficult for participants to arrive in time for the traditional opening program. Instead attendees will begin with their specific track orientations and gather at the Welcoming Banquet to kickoff the event, introduce the theme and more!

Why are some of the banquet names different?
Banquet names have fluctuated frequently in the past 15 years. This year, the four main banquets will all follow a functional naming schema with the Welcoming Banquet on Thursday evening, Awards Luncheon on Friday afternoon, Celebration Banquet on Saturday evening and Farewell Breakfast on Sunday morning. Also please note the Loving Cup ceremony will be conducted Friday evening and there will be no structured program at the Sunday breakfast. 

Why did model initiation move to the morning Saturday?
To help the flow of activities Saturday afternoon and to give the audio-visual team extra preparation time for the Celebration Banquet the model initiation will be held Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon.

What is changing with the Leadership College?
The Peter F. Greiner Leadership College will consist of three distinct tracks to best accommodate the interests and learning needs of undergraduate participants. More information can be found here.

Is there a specific track developed for spouses and guests?
Yes. Each year more than 30 spouses and guests attend the General Convention. This year the proximity to numerous spectacular tourist attractions will make the opportunities very exciting. Stay tuned for details.

What entertainment/excursion activities are planned?
The Friday afternoon of the Convention has been scheduled optional for all participants after 2 p.m. During this time, many different tourist and entertainment options will be available. To learn more about and register for tours or excursions visit our local attractions page  .

Is there a golf tournament?
There is no formalized golf tournament scheduled for this year, but there are many courses in the local area.

What do I do if I have ADA or dietary restrictions?
During the on-line registration process, participants will have an opportunity to mark ADA or dietary restrictions/needs.

What should I bring to wear?
Thursday and Saturday evenings’ banquets are coat and tie events for men and comparable attire for women. Friday’s luncheon and Sunday’s breakfast are resort casual events. Other events are resort casual. Outside activities will be limited except for time spent by the pool, but please plan for high temperatures. Please ensure that t-shirts are in good taste and represent Beta Theta Pi in a positive light (i.e. without alcohol or degradation of women).

How do I submit reimbursable expenses if I qualify for General Fraternity reimbursement?
For General Fraternity Officers who qualify for expense reimbursement, please complete expense reimbursement form found here and send it to the attention of the Director of Volunteer Development at the Administrative Office.

How does the travel reimbursement for chapter delegates work?
Per the Code of Beta Theta Pi, each chapter delegate will receive a check for $.09 per mile from his home address to the hotel address. Checks will be mailed to delegates in late July.