We are excited about our MidYear Conference in Charlotte, NC and hope you can join us! 

 Below are the rates and deadlines for each option.  

HOTEL AND EVENT REGISTRATION ARE NOW CLOSED.

PLEASE CONTACT THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO SEE IF ANY SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE.

(800-739-1827/[email protected])

MidYear Conference Registration This a Saturday Day event only.  Registration for the conference includes the opening and closing general sessions, the luncheon with our Keynote Speaker and all the forums. The CKI Dessert Social Saturday night is an extra add- on.

Add-ons:

Friday Club Leadership Education  Clubs who know the President for the 2026-27 Kiwanis year can add this class to their registration, or take it separately and only come for the session on Friday (11 am - 5 pm). Incoming Club Officers have an opportunity to attend a workshop, which will prepare them for their upcoming responsibilities. This training is open to all club officers including Membership Chairs. 

Note: this session does not include Club Secretary or Club Treasurer training. There will be a separate training for incoming Club Secretaries and Treasurers in September.  Lunch is included in this registration price.

Guest Luncheon This year we are offering a discount to full conference registrants to purchase a Saturday Lunch for their guest.  This option does NOT include any other sessions other than Saturday Lunch.  If the guest would like to be part of anything other than lunch, a full conference registration should be purchased.

Saturday Night Circle K Social  Circle K will be holding their convention at the same time as our conference and have welcomed those staying over Saturday night to join them at their dessert social.  The Kiwanis MidYear Conference ends with the afternoon closing session; however, if you are staying over and want to support CKI, you may add on this extra event.


Carolinas Kiwanis Refund Policy

Full refunds (minus a $20 processing fee) will be processed for any registration cancelled in writing (mail to Convention Registration Cancellation, 184 N Water St., Suite 24, Boone, NC 28607) postmarked by 1/19/2026. We will not be able to accommodate any refund requests for cancellations for any reason after 1/19/2026. In the event of a last minute emergency, substitutions will be accommodated. You are responsible for cancelling or modifying your own hotel reservations separately.

PLEASE NOTE:  This new software provides the opportunity for you to purchase event insurance (see below) should you wish to be fully covered.  (It is separate from the Carolinas District of Kiwanis.  Should you choose the event insurance, it is your responsibility to contact them per their policies to invoke the insurance.  The Carolinas District has no involvement in that insurance policy.)


Location Information

  • Hilton Charlotte Airport
  • 2800 Coliseum Centre Dr., Charlotte, NC, 28217 US
  • Google, Bing, MapQuest

The conference will take place at the Hilton Charlotte Airport.  

Any room cancellations are the responsibility of the registrant and must be made directly with the hotel.

Special Kiwanis Rate for your stay:  $154 per night (+ taxes and parking ) 

HOTEL ROOM IS SEPARATE FROM REGISTRATION.

OUR ROOM BLOCK HAS ENDED.  

CALL THE DISTRICT OFFICE (800-739-1827) TO SEE IF ANY ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE AT OUR RATE.

Hotel Services:

Check-in time is 4:00 PM located at the Embassy Suites and check-out time is 11:00 AM.

Friday, February 20

11:00 am - 5:00 pmConference Registration Check-in

Upon arrival at the hotel, please come to the Kiwanis registration area to check in. Hotel room checkin will begin at 4 pm.

11:00 - 5:00 pmClub Leadership Education

Incoming Club Officers have an opportunity to attend a workshop, which will prepare them for their upcoming responsibilities. Note: this session does not include Club Secretary or Club Treasurer training. There will be a separate training for incoming Club Secretaries and Treasurers in September. This session includes lunch and requires a separate add-on fee to the MidYear Conference Rate.

AfternoonCommittee Meetings

Several District Committees will meet in the afternoon.
Please check with your committee chair on the details.

Saturday, February 21

8:15 -12:00 amConference Registration Check-in

Upon arrival at the hotel, please come to the Kiwanis registration area to check in. Hotel room checkin will begin at 4 pm.

9:00 - 10:15 amOpening Session

Hear from one of our Service Leadership Programs and celebrate club accolades from the 2024-25 Kiwanis year.

10:25 - 11:10 amForum Sessions 1

Simple Social Media That Works: Practical Tools for Kiwanis Clubs
Hosted by Anna Ethridge, Social Media, Wake Forest
Managing social media doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This hands-on workshop will share simple, proven strategies for using Facebook and Instagram to highlight your club’s service, events, and community impact. Learn what to post, how often to post, and easy ways to stay consistent — even with limited time or tech experience. We’ll also introduce beginner-friendly AI tools that can help generate post ideas and captions quickly. You’ll leave with practical tips you can use right away to strengthen your club’s online presence.

Membership Growth & Retention
Hosted by Steve Corbett, Governor Elect, Southport-Oak Island and Art Keinath, Membership Chair, Lee County
Membership growth is a two-part strategy: Acquiring new members and retaining existing ones. We will provide you with a comprehensive overview on Acquiring new members and retaining existing ones, for maximizing membership growth. We don’t want any members to be 10-7 (out of service) we want everyone to be 10-8 (in Service).

The Legacy You Leave Starts With One Child
Hosted by Gina Casazza, Founder, EmpowerLit: Literacy & Beyond, Author, Motivational Speaker
Every child is discovering who they are by watching the adults who show up for them. In this inspiring keynote, Gina shares how a single moment of service can ignite confidence, identity, and lifelong possibility in a child’s life. Through powerful stories from EmpowerLit and lessons from her own journey, she reveals how simple, consistent acts leave a legacy that echoes through generations and shapes the future long after we’re gone. Because when Kiwanis shows up, the future looks different for every child they touch.

Kiwanis Konvoy: Ask a Kiwanian Panel, Good Buddy!
Hosted by Jon Hethcox, Governor
Come on over, good buddy, and pull up a seat at the Kiwanis Konvoy! This is your chance to talk turkey with a panel of seasoned Kiwanis road warriors. We’ve got the full fleet here, from past Club Presidents and Secretaries who know the backroads, to current Lt. Governors running the big rig. Got questions about service projects, membership, or leadership? Don't be a plain wrapper—bring your best queries and get some straight answers from the folks who’ve been there and done that. Let’s hear your twenty, and we'll be ready to give you the lowdown. 10-4!

Birthday Assembly Service Project
Hosted by Kiwanis and CKI Service Committee
Join the District Service Committee, the Charlotte Kiwanis Club and CKI as we bring some happliness to the lives of children in our area. We will be assembling birthday cake kits and preparing birthday cards for distribution to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and further delivery to other area food banks and families. We appreciate the generosity of those who have already donated either completed kits or their induvial contents.

11:20 - 12:05 pmForum Session 2

Show Me the Money
Hosted by Eva Krieger, Immediate Past President, Topsail Island Area and Carol Kurtz, President-Elect, North Myrtle Beach-Little River
Breaker! Breaker! We got a green light on a session that unveils GRANTS—a brand new source of fuel for the Kiwanis engine, Good Buddy! In a jiffy, we'll show you the places to look, tips and tricks for putting the pen to the paper without feeding the bears, and the fast lane for both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) clubs to grab that new cash. Get ready to roll out with the best tools and the confidence to keep the mission hammer down! Over and out.

Terrific Kids: More Than a Certificate
Hosted by Maggie Schwietert, President, Rock Hill
10-4, Drivers! Come on in and learn how to put the hammer down on Terrific Kids impact. We're talkin' about more than just club action; we need the whole school district buy-in. Learn how to rope in community partners to sponsor the little mini-truckers' goodies. Let's make this program bigger, better, and a true big ten for all the students rollin' down the highway of life. Keep the shiny side up! Over.

Collaborative Carousel: Come discuss, share ideas, and get new ideas
Hosted by Mary Winfree, New Club Building Chair, Robeson Lumberton
Join your fellow attendees for an engaging discussion where you can share ideas and gather inspiration. Come prepared with questions and thoughts on Service, Fundraising, Leadership Development, and Building Connections within the Kiwanis Family as we embark on a dynamic "Collaborative Carousel" together.

Supporting Children and Families Through Strong Connections
Hosted by Erika Nolley, Division 26 Lt. Governor Elect, Robeson Lumberton and
Rhiannon Chavis-Wanson, Program Director, Robeson Co Partnership for Children
Connections are the foundation of effective service. This workshop explores how meaningful relationships help Kiwanis members better support children, families, and communities. Grounded in the Connections Matter framework, participants will learn how building strong, trusting connections promotes resilience, compassion, and trauma-informed communities, creating conditions where all children and individuals can succeed. Attendees will gain practical strategies to strengthen engagement within their clubs, deepen community partnerships, and enhance the lasting impact of Kiwanis service.

Mentoring 101: The Guide To Successful Mentoring Programs
Hosted by William Townsend, President, North Carolina Central University
The primary purpose is to provide practical strategies for building meaningful connections with young learners. Beyond introducing effective mentoring techniques, the workshop is designed to help participants understand the responsibilities of being a mentor, develop strong communication and relationship-building skills, and learn how to support the academic and social-emotional growth of elementary students. It will empower attendees to grow as leaders, role models, and advocates within their communities.

12:15 pm - 2:00 pmLuncheon with Speaker Gina Casazza

Our luncheon will highlight our District Foundation, CKI Governor Tyler and keynote speaker Gina Casazza.

2:10 - 3:00 pmForum Sessions 3

The Recognition Revival
Hosted by Susan Jones , Lt. Governor Division 24 and
Carol Kurtz, President-Elect, North Myrtle Beach-Little River
Breaker 1-9! Come on in, Good Buddies, and join this rolling thunder of fresh ideas! We got two Wagon Masters to keep the chatter smooth and we're gonna hammer down on some simple, sharp ways to shine the light on our Kiwanis folks. Let's make every member feel like they're riding point in the convoy. Affirmative on keepin' 'em happy and rollin' with us! Over.

Best Practices In Club Management
Hosted by Joe Crostic, District Treasurer, Southport-Oak Island and Greg McDonald, District Leadership Development Chair, Southport-Oak Island
Tracking key indicators of your club’s performance can help you stay focused on your desired results, improve financial stewardship, and avoid common pitfalls in non-profit organization management. Learn about some of the often-overlooked administrative aspects of managing a successful Kiwanis club and how to strengthen your club’s management.

Everything You Want to Know about ALL SLPs
Hosted by Steve Corbett, Governor Elect, Southport Oak Island
Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs can have a profound impact on members through a focus on servant leadership. Join us for roundtable discussions on K-KIDS, Builders Club, Key Club, CKI and Aktion Club. A number of important topics will be discussed around the table with experienced SLP advisors leading the discussions. The star-studded ensemble will include the Carolinas District Administrators J. Scott Johnson (Key Club), Joanne Keinath (Aktion), Jennifer Hethcox (CKI) and Steve Corbett (K-KID/Builders). CKI Governor Tyler Rosado and Builders Club Kiwanis Advisors Marta McKeena and Mary Gentile will chair tables as well. Pedal to the metal, Good Buddy!

Civic Clubs and Building Community: A Conversation
Hosted by Cate Hawting, Club President, NC State CKI
We all love the community Kiwanis brings to our lives, but in a significantly lonely and isolated time, how do we share that with the world? Drawing from the work of Robert Putnam, author of "Bowling Alone," this workshop will cover the historical significance of civic organizations in the lives of Americans and then open a discussion about how to bring that legacy into the modern era.

Kiwanis & CKI – Find your Why
Hosted by Joan Campbell, Vice President, Kiwanis Club of High Point
Look back, way back to the beginning, find out where your wicked goodness comes
from and how you can share your Why with others. All Kiwanians and CKI members are welcome. Once through the Emerald curtain, magically all your fears of sharing (and of taking a very short survey) will melt away. 30 second “elevator speeches” don’t invoke the magic of you as a member, they only make you miss out on a real conversation.

3:10 - 4:00 pmClosing Session

Learn more about our upcoming International Convention in Manila, hear more about the Kiwanis Children's Fund Impossibility Project and come away inspired by Governor Jon Hethcox.

Speakers

Gina Casazza Founder, EmpowerLit

Gina Casazza founded EmpowerLit to help children build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging through the power of storytelling. Her debut children’s book, You Really, Truly Do Belong, introduces Cosmo the Alien, a lovable character learning what it means to fit in. Her upcoming book, You Really, Truly Are Enough, continues Cosmo’s journey, teaching kids self-worth and inner strength.

Through EmpowerLit, Gina creates programs that bring these stories to life, helping children see themselves in books and believe in their own potential. Her vision is to make literacy a tool for empowerment, ensuring every child feels valued, capable, and enough.

John Chiesa Immediate Past District Governor

John retired in 2011 and moved to Murrells Inlet, SC and lives with his partner Pegge, the Secretary of the Pawleys Island Kiwanis Club. He became a member of the Kiwanis Club Medford (Massachusetts) in 1997, making him a Kiwanian now for over 27 years. Over the years he served as Vice President, President-Elect, President and Secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Medford. Upon moving to Murrells Inlet, he joined The Pawleys Island Kiwanis Club and has served as President. In addition, he served as a Distinguished Lt. Governor of Division 24, a District Trustee, and Chair of the District Education Committee. As Lt. Governor, he helped open the Kiwanis Club of Georgetown. John lives in Murrells Inlet, SC. He enjoys traveling abroad to different countries, exploring the United States, reading, swimming, and, especially, working out with kettlebells.

Jon Hethcox Governor

Jonathan "Jon" Hethcox served as the 101st Governor of the Carolinas District during the 20192020 Kiwanis Year and was elected during the House of Delegates in August of 2025 to serve again as Carolinas District Governor. He joined the Kiwanis Club of Columbia, South Carolina in 2005 and has held various roles, including club board member, four-term Club President, two-term Distinguished Lt. Governor, and District Trustee. Jon has been honored as a Walter Zeller Fellow and a George F. Hixon Fellow. In addition to his Kiwanis roles, Jon has served as District Administrator for the Distinguished Carolinas District of Circle K International (CKI), Kiwanis’ collegiate service organization.

Jon holds a BA in History from Flagler College and has completed graduate coursework at The George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management. He is married to Jennifer Hethcox, a veteran public-school teacher and digital learning coach. The couple, who met at Kiwanis International headquarters during their CKI Governor training, are a true Kiwanis family “love connection.” They have two children, Caroline, a past Key Club Lt. Governor and Lillian, a Key Club Member, and are members of Shandon United Methodist Church, where they have served as Co-Presidents of the Foundation Sunday School class.

Elizabeth Perry Carolinas Key Club Governor

Elizabeth Perry is a rising senior at J.H. Rose High School in Greenville, North Carolina, and currently serves as the Governor of the Carolinas District of Key Club International. Before her election as Governor, Elizabeth served as the 2024–2025 District Editor, earning recognition as Outstanding Board Member at the Carolinas District Convention and Distinguished District Editor at the Key Club International Convention. In the 2023–2024 service year, she served as Lieutenant Governor of Division 17 and was honored with the Robert F. Lucas Outstanding Lieutenant Governor Award. Elizabeth’s Key Club journey began with a group of students in Greenville who founded a community-based club open to all high school students with a passion for service. She served as Charter Vice President of the Key2Service Community Key Club and later helped recharter the club at J.H. Rose High School, where she served as Club Vice President during her sophomore year. She also played a key role in starting the Key Club at Pitt County Schools Early College. Elizabeth has been involved with Key Club from a young age, attending events like the Kiwanis Family Conference and International Convention long before becoming a member. Outside of Key Club, she serves as a Teen Ambassador for ECU Health and Ronald McDonald House of Eastern NC, and volunteers as a Junior Dog Handler with Canines for Christ.

Tyler Rosado Carolinas CKI Governor

Tyler Rosado began his service journey as a Key Club member at Apex High School in Apex, NC, where his love for giving back to the community first took root. Now seven years into his Kiwanis Family involvement, his dedication to service and leadership within the Carolinas District continues to deepen. Currently a third-year undergraduate at North Carolina State University, Tyler is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in secondary education. He joined Circle K International to continue serving his community while growing into a stronger leader. Tyler first served as NC State CKI’s Freshman Ambassador before being elected Club President. Although running for district office was never part of the original plan, he answered the call to lead and now serves as the 2025–2026 Carolinas District Governor. After graduation, Tyler plans to bring his leadership and service experience into the classroom, where he will advocate for children, especially those from underserved communities, as an educator who champions equity, empathy, and opportunity. Tyler draws constant inspiration from the impact CKI members make across the Carolinas and the world. He believes in the power of service to drive real, lasting change in the face of challenges on campuses, in communities, and globally. His favorite service project is NC State CKI’s annual Haunted House in collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club, because, in his words, “creating one positive memory in a child’s life can be the difference between despair and determination.”


CKI is excited to work on a service project with Kiwanis at MidYear and their Convention. This project will show other Kiwanis Clubs and CKI Clubs how easy it is to put together a high impact service event for a local food pantry. As you may know, families that visit food pantries do not typically have the extra funds to get a birthday cake for their children. This service project will provide a child with a birthday cake, balloons, candles and a special birthday card from Kiwanis & CKI when they visit the pantry and let them know it's their child's birthday.

Kiwanians can bring the following supplies  per "Birthday Party" set:
  • 1 Boxed Cake Mix
  • 1 Can of sprite
  • 1 oven safe baking pan - disposable
  • 1 box of candles
  • 1 bag of balloons
  • 1 container of icing

CKI will provide construction paper and markers so that attendees can make cards to accompany each of the birthday cake sets which will be delivered to a local food pantry in the Charlotte area.


Become a Title Sponsor:

If you are not attending Midyear or want to contribute to the project monetarily, please email [email protected] for details. Contributions of $200 or more are considered title sponsors and will be featured with their Club/Organization Name throughout the conference.

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