Greetings Sir Knights and Companions!
You are cordially invited to attend the 2025 East Central Department/Regional Conference, which will be held Saturday, March 8th, 2025, at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The headquarters hotel will be the Hilton Ft. Wayne at the Grand Wayne Convention Center, located at 1020 S. Calhoun St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46802.
We have again secured very favorable room rates for the Conference at the special group price of $129 per night, plus tax. The hotel reservation deadline is Feb 13th, 2025. However, rooms will go quickly, and the group rate is not guaranteed once the room block is sold out. Please do not wait to make your reservations!
You can call the hotel direct at (260) 420-1100 or call 1-800-HILTONS to make your reservation. Please use the conference group code: ECD.
You can also book on-line via the following link: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/fwafhhf-gra-e6f9fadb-7ac5-48d0-99d5-060917bd7166/
Parking at the hotel is available for a daily charge. The gated parking garage is located across the street from the hotel, and you can access the hotel from the garage via a skywalk. If you are visiting from outside the Region/Department and will be traveling by air, the Fort Wayne International Airport is located about 7 miles from the headquarters hotel. The hotel does provide a shuttle – please reach out to the hotel directly to coordinate pick-up.
We have great hospitality planned for the weekend with a well-stocked hospitality room that will be open Friday and Saturday (please see the conference schedule for times), a wonderful ladies program on Saturday, and a fellowship dinner on Saturday evening. Please see the full agenda for a list of event times and room locations. Registration and meal reservations can be made via this website. Registration and meal reservations must be received by end of day Friday, February 28th, 2025.
Each Companion/Sir Knight attending the conference must pay the registration fee; your spouse and children, if attending, do not need to pay registration. Additional information about things to do in Ft. Wayne, including attractions and places to eat, can be found on this website.


***Please be aware: The York Rite Leadership Program will no longer be held at Grand Encampment Department Conferences beginning in 2025. There is going to be a lot of great information covered during the Department Conference and information about future Leadership Courses is forthcoming.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact SK Jay Kennedy at [email protected]. Spread the word about this great event and we look forward to seeing you in Ft. Wayne this coming March!
Schedule (times and rooms subject to change)
| Friday, March 7th: 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Conference Registration Open
Jefferson Room B. Conference credentials and meal tickets can be picked up by registered attendees.

| Friday, March 7th: 4:00pm to 11:00pm
Hospitality Room Open
Hamilton Hall. Join your fellow Sir Knights and Companions for relaxing fellowship, snacks and beverages.
| Friday, March 7th: evening
State dinners - On your own
Dinner on your own.

| Sat., March 8th: 6:30am to 8:00am
Conference Registration Open
Jefferson Room B. Conference credentials and meal tickets can be picked up by registered attendees.
| Sat., March 8th:     8:00 am to 12:00pm
Morning Conference Sessions
Chapter Session: Jefferson A
Council Session: Jefferson C
Grand Encampment Session:
Anthony Wayne Ballroom A
| Sat., March 8th: 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Men's Lunch
Anthony Wayne Ballroom B
TICKETS REQUIRED


| Sat., March 8th: 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Ladies Lunch and Entertainment
Atrium
TICKETS REQUIRED


| Sat., March 8th: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Afternoon Conference Sessions
Chapter Session: Jefferson A
Council Session: Jefferson C
Grand Encampment Session:
Anthony Wayne Ballroom A
| Sat., March 8th: 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Hospitality Room Open
Hamilton Hall. Join your fellow Sir Knights and Companions for relaxing fellowship, snacks and beverages.
| Sat., March 8th: 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Social Hour
Anthony Wayne Ballroom B
Cash bar.
| Sat., March 8th: 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Fellowship Banquet
Anthony Wayne Ballroom B
TICKETS REQUIRED
| Sat., March 8th: 9:00pm to 11:00pm

Hospitality Room Open
Hamilton Hall. Join your fellow Sir Knights and Companions for relaxing fellowship, snacks and beverages.
Hilton at Grand Wayne Convention Center
1020 S. Calhoun St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46802
To make your hotel reservations, you can call the hotel direct at (260) 420-1100 or call 1-800-HILTONS to make your reservation. Please use the conference group code: ECD.

You can also book on-line via the following link:

https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/fwafhhf-gra-e6f9fadb-7ac5-48d0-99d5-060917bd7166/

State Dinners and Things To Do
Ft. Wayne, Indiana is a vibrant mid-major city that offers guests a wide range of cultural, recreational, and social activities. While you are in town for the East Central Department Conference, consider taking some time to explore this grand city and make the most of your trip!
Great Places to Visit
https://www.visitfortwayne.com/things-to-do/
Check out all the great things to do in Ft. Wayne! Some highlights include: The Genealogy Center; Electric Works (children's museum); the Embassy Theater; Children's Zoo; Museum of Art
Great Locations for State Dinners!
https://www.visitfortwayne.com/food-drink/
Ft. Wayne offers a number of great options for group dinners. Planning a state dinner on Friday evening? Check out the link above to see all the restaurants in Ft. Wayne. Some suggestions from the hotel include: Club Soda, Hoppy Gnome, JK O’Donnell’s, and Nawa.

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