2023 International Convention FAQs

International Convention is held each odd calendar year to celebrate AOII’s biennium. At this event, business of the Fraternity is conducted and Council Members elect AOII’s Executive Board and Foundation Board. All AOII members are invited to attend this exciting event where they have the opportunity to network, engage in AOII rituals, celebrate chapter accomplishments, and experience AOII traditions and sisterhood!
What is International Convention?
International Convention is an event held biennially and provides AOIIs a unique experience to elect new Fraternity leaders, meet other members, hear great speakers, learn during education tracks, and celebrate the accomplishments of the Fraternity, our chapters, and members. Attendees also have the opportunity to participate in AOII Rituals and traditions, and experience sisterhood with members from across North America.
Who should attend International Convention?
All voting members of Council are required to attend Convention.
Council includes all Past International Presidents, AOII Executive Board, The National Panhellenic Conference Delegate, AOII Foundation Board of Directors, AOII Properties Board of Directors, the Chairs of the Standing Committees, Network Directors and Specialists, Collegiate Chapter Presidents, Collegiate Chapter Advisors, and Alumnae Chapter Presidents.
In addition, Convention is open for all AOII members to attend, as registration spots allow.
When and where will International Convention be held?
June 21 – June 25, 2023, at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.
What is the timeline for registration?
Council members (Collegiate Chapter Presidents, Chapter Advisors, Alumnae Chapter Presidents, Past International Presidents, the NPC Delegate, International Standing Committee Chairs, Network Directors, Network Specialists, and members of the Executive, Foundation, and Properties Boards)
- Registration opens April 3 at 12:00 pm CDT
- Registration closes April 17 at 12:00 pm CDT
- If registering after April 17 at 12:00 pm CDT, an additional $100 personal late fee will
- be charged.
Full-time general membership (available to all AOII members other than Council)
- Registration opens April 19 at 12:00 pm CDT*
- Registration will close once maximum capacity is reached
Part-time general membership (available to all AOII members other than Council)
- Registration opens May 1 at 12:00 pm CDT* and only when full-time registration is maximized.
*These dates listed are subject to change based on ticket and room availability.
What are the costs to attend International Convention?
Collegiate Chapter Presidents (CP)
Room and Board: Room and Board (double room) is paid by the Fraternity
Travel: Up to $500 paid by the Fraternity
Registration Fee: $300 registration fee is a personal expense, which may be covered by the chapter if the budget allows. Please consult your Finance Advisor
Meals: Wednesday Light Hors D’oeuvres, Thursday Lunch, Thursday Dinner, Friday Lunch, Saturday Lunch, Saturday Dinner are included with your registration. All other meals are a personal expense
Additional Expenses: Ground transportation to/from the airport, baggage handling, tips, and other fees are paid by the individual
Collegiate Chapter Advisors (CA)
Room and Board: Room and Board (double room) is paid by the Fraternity
Travel: Paid by the Collegiate Chapter
Registration Fee: $300 registration fee is a personal expense, which may be covered by the chapter if the budget allows. Please consult your Finance Advisor
Meals: Wednesday Light Hors D’oeuvres, Thursday Lunch, Thursday Dinner, Friday Lunch, Saturday Lunch, Saturday Dinner are included with your registration. All other meals are a personal expense
Additional Expenses: Ground transportation to/from the airport, baggage handling, tips, and other fees are paid by the individual
Alumnae Chapter Presidents (AP)
Room and Board: Room and Board (double room) is paid by the Fraternity
Travel: Up to $500 paid by the Alumnae Chapter
Registration Fee: $300 registration fee is a personal expense, which may be covered by the chapter if the budget allows. Please consult with your Alumnae Chapter Treasurer
Meals: Wednesday Light Hors D’oeuvres, Thursday Lunch, Thursday Dinner, Friday Lunch, Saturday Lunch, Saturday Dinner are included with your registration. All other meals are a personal expense
Additional Expenses: Ground transportation to/from the airport, baggage handling, tips, and other fees are paid by the individual
PIPs, XB, NDs, Network Specialists, ISCCs, and Parliamentarian
Room and Board: Room and Board (double room) is paid by the Fraternity
Travel: Up to $500 paid by the Fraternity
Registration Fee: $300 registration fee is a personal expense
Meals: Wednesday Light Hors D’oeuvres, Thursday Lunch, Thursday Dinner, Friday Lunch, Saturday Lunch, Saturday Dinner are included with your registration. All other meals are a personal expense
Additional Expenses: Ground transportation to/from the airport, baggage handling, tips, and other fees are paid by the individual
Full-Time Attendee (Non-Council)
Room and Board:
$1,300 – Quad Room
$1,550 – Double Room
$2,025 – Single Room
Personal expense for Non-Council attendees unless budgeted for by the Chapter or Corporation
Travel: Personal expense for Non-Council attendees unless budgeted for by the Chapter
Registration Fee: $300 personal expense for Non-Council attendees unless budgeted for by the Chapter
Meals: Wednesday Light Hors D’oeuvres, Thursday Lunch, Thursday Dinner, Friday Lunch, Saturday Lunch, Saturday Dinner are included with your registration. All other meals are a personal expense
Additional Expenses: Ground transportation to/from the airport, baggage handling, tips, and other fees are paid by the individual
When should I arrive for International Convention?
- General Attendees should plan to arrive at the hotel no later than 4:00 pm CDT on Wednesday, June 21 to ensure time to check in to the hotel and arrive at the first evening session, which begins at 4:30 pm CDT.
- Network Specialists and Directors should plan to arrive at the hotel no later than 5:30 pm CDT on Tuesday, June 20.
- Executive Board, Foundation Board, and Properties Board members should plan to arrive at the hotel by 11:30 am CDT on Tuesday, June 20.
- International Standing Committee Chairs should consult with their staff partner, as some should arrive with the Network Specialists and Directors and others should arrive at the hotel no later than 1:00 pm Wednesday, June 21.
- Past International Presidents should plan to arrive at the hotel no later than 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 20.
When should I plan to depart from International Convention?
International Convention will end at the close of Rose Banquet on Saturday evening. All attendees can plan to depart at any time on Sunday, June 25.
How do I book my room at the Gaylord Texan?
AOII has a block of rooms reserved for event attendees and the AOII Events team will handle the rooming list for all registered attendees – no need to book anything! Room type selection will be a question on the Convention registration form. You will have the ability to select your room type, note any accessibility needs, and submit a roommate request, if applicable.
What if I want to stay at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center for extra nights?
Additional nights will need to be booked personally. Our events team cannot book rooms outside of the event dates.
What time is check-in?
Check-in time at Gaylord Texan is 4 pm CDT (if your room is ready, you may check in earlier). A credit card for incidental room charges will be required for all participants at the time of check-in. The hotel accepts most major credit cards.
In addition to checking into the hotel, you need to check in for the event at the AOII registration desk. All chapter accounts and any personal accounts with AOII must be cleared with AOII Headquarters accounting staff before registration can be completed.
What time is check-out?
Check-out from Gaylord Texan is at 11 am CDT. You must check out with the hotel and settle all accounts before leaving.
How do I note special dietary needs?
For those participants wanting to request vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or dairy/lactose-free meals or have a food allergy, please make note of this request in the space provided on the registration form. Special meals must be requested in advance and not on-site at International Convention.
Which airport should I fly into?
Grapevine is located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, which is served by Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL). The hotel is located in close proximity to DFW.
What is the Candle Lighting Ceremony?
Candle Lighting is a ceremony that is traditionally one of the most memorable events of Convention. Every collegiate chapter is represented by lighting a single candle while their sub-motto is recited.
What attire should I plan for International Convention?
The dress code for the majority of Convention programming is Business Attire. Formal Attire is encouraged for Rose Banquet, which will be held on Saturday evening. For Candle Lighting and Rituals, attendees will be asked to wear comfortable black shoes and all-black badge attire, which includes dresses, skirts, pants, blouses, sweaters, knit shirts, and blazers. Additional information about attire for specific meals or days will be available on the final Convention schedule.
Is there an opportunity to present at International Convention?
Yes! There are two opportunities to present at our International Convention.
- Call for Programs: Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity seeks dynamic and engaging programming to enhance the educational experience of our International Convention. This opportunity is open to all and not limited to AOII members. Submit an application.
- Inspiration Sessions: During Convention, selected attendees will have the opportunity to speak to fellow attendees during “Inspiration Sessions”. These talks (approximately seven minutes each), similar to a mini-TED talk, will be presented rapidly by one presenter after another. Presenters will prepare 20 slides automatically advancing every 20 seconds – creativity is encouraged! Submit an application.