Senior: June 22 – 26, 2025
Elementary: June 27 – 29, 2025
Junior: June 29 – July 3, 2025
Testing/Submission Window: May 7 – 21, 2025
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Orlando, Florida
National Convention is our culminating event each summer where individuals who have qualified during their respective State Conventions and Leadership Summits join to compete for a national title. On top of the excitement of that attendees also get to:
Update on National Convention Registration Costs for 2025
We’re pleased to share some important updates regarding the registration process for the 2025 National Beta Convention in Orlando. These changes are designed to help us maintain the high-quality experience you’ve come to expect while keeping costs manageable for everyone.
New ‘Stay to Save’ Model
Starting with the 2025 convention, attendees who book rooms within our official National Convention room blocks at the Gaylord Palms Orlando or the Marriott Village Orlando will enjoy the standard pre-registration cost of $50 per person.
Attendees not staying at our official hotels will see an increase in their registration fees.
Here’s what you need to know:
- If your club chooses to stay outside of the approved room blocks, the registration cost will be $75 per person.
- The increase will be waived for attendees whose club zip code is within 100 miles of the Gaylord Palms Orlando.
- During registration, clubs will need to provide their hotel confirmation number to receive the standard rate.
Cancellation Policy:
- Hotel cancellations made before May 9, 2025, will incur a $10 per room cancellation fee.
- After May 9, 2025, the cancellation fee will increase to $199 per room.
Why This Change?
Moving to this model allows us to:
Staying within the designated room blocks helps us avoid extra costs, which in turn helps us keep our registration fees as low as possible.
With everyone in one of our partner hotels, we can better plan and manage the event to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all.
Staying together helps foster a stronger sense of community, making it easier for attendees to connect and enjoy all that the convention has to offer.
We have the ability to negotiate hotel room rates that are typically lower than what individuals can secure on their own.
By doing this, we block enough rooms to assure all needing rooms are able to find rooms. Without a contract, hotels could sell out to other individuals or events and teams may have to stay well away from the venue.
We understand that this is a change, and we appreciate your support in helping us continue to provide an exceptional convention experience. If you have any questions or need assistance with your registration or hotel reservations, we’re here to help.
We’re looking forward to seeing you in Orlando in 2025!
REGISTRATION FEES
National Convention Registration will open in January.
Deadline: May 2, 2025
Stay to Save Attendee
$50per attendee
- If registering members to participate virtually, the price will remain at $50 per attendee.
Non-Room-Block Attendee
$75per attendee
- If your club chooses to stay outside the approved room blocks, the registration cost will be $75 per person.
Single Day Pass
$25per attendee
- Single day passes are only valid for day of purchase. Day passes are not available for members participating in competitions.
- Attendees aged 5 and under may attend for free. However, our registration system only permits Beta Night ticket purchases based on the total number of registered attendees. If you have children ages 3-5 who wish to attend Beta Night at Universal Studios Orlando, they must be registered as paid attendees for the National Convention.
- The registration fee for 1 sponsor will be waived for clubs registering at least 5 individuals.
- The registration fee for 2 sponsors will be waived for clubs registering at least 10 individuals.
Schedules & Handbooks
Tentative National Convention Schedules can be found below.
National Convention Handbooks will be released in January 2025.
‘Stay to Save’ Hotels
Reservations for official National Convention hotels are now open.
Gaylord Palms
In addition to being the National Convention Host Site, the Gaylord Palms offers a variety of amazing perks for your Betas! This stunning hotel highlights three themed Floridian environments: St. Augustine, the Everglades, and Key West. With spectacular atrium spaces, a thrilling water park and pools, unique events, a collection of dining options, and a variety of rooms and suites, the resort experience will have your Betas talking about it for years to come.
Gaylord Palms Features
Guests staying at the Gaylord Palms will receive free exclusive access to Cypress Springs, the Palms’ three-acre water park. Cypress Springs features a drop slide, racing slides, zero-entry pool, rapid river, video walls, water playground, poolside basketball goals, relaxing pools and more.
Guests can experience educational and interactive close-up animal encounters with alligators as well as Floridian fish feedings.
- Wreckers Sports Bar – Classic American Fare
- Moor – Fresh, local seafood
- Villa De Flora – coastal Mediterranean
- Old Hickory Steakhouse – elevated steakhouse
- Emerald Bay Café’ and Market – Starbucks coffee, grab and go items, breakfast options, and more!
- Jamba – Smoothie, juices and bowls
- SandBar – Salads, flatbreads, sandwiches and kids’ menu.
The Gaylord Palms’ expansive four-and-a-half-acre glass atriums are designed to capture the essence of three iconic Sunshine State regions. Explore winding waterways, vibrant gardens, and captivating animal habitats. Whether you’re strolling along peaceful paths, catching up with friends in a serene spot, or simply unwinding in the perfect 72-degree climate, this stunning space offers an unforgettable experience at National Convention.
The Gaylord Palms provides complimentary transportation to Walt Disney World® Resort Theme Parks only (Ticket and Transportation Center, Disney’s Hollywood Studios® Theme Park, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park) and Disney Springs®. The official transportation schedule will be released in 2025.
- Disney’s Ticket and Transportation Center – with transfers to Disney’s Magic Kingdom® and Theme Park a Disney’s Epcot® Theme Park (6.6 miles, Approx. 10 minutes)
- Hollywood Studios® Theme Park (<2.5 miles, Approx. 5 minutes)
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park (<4.1 miles, Approx. 10 minutes)
- Disney Springs® (<5.5 miles, Approx. 12 minutes)
Parking
Self-parking: $18.00 plus tax @ 7.5%.
Total inclusive will be $19.35.
For attendees driving for the day, you will need to identify yourself with BETA to receive the same prices above.
Room Rates
Standard rooms are available for $266 per night. Resort fee is included in the room rate. (tax not included)
Marriott Village Orlando
The Mariott Village is a unique complex of three spectacular hotels located just moments away from the magic of Orlando. National Convention attendees staying at one of these three hotels will love the ease of complimentary transportation between their hotel and the convention center and the Walt Disney World® Resort Theme Parks, free breakfast and pool access. The Village hotels (all designated as Walt Disney World® Good Neighbor® Hotels) are:
- SpringHill Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista
- Courtyard Orlando Lake Buena Vista
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Marriott Village Orlando Features
Gift Shop
3 pools and splashpads + 4 jacuzzis
- Each hotel has its own pool and splashpad. Guests will have access to every pool area found within the village.
Arcade
- Located inside the Fairfield Inn & Suites, you’ll find a collection of old school and modern games.
Vineland Premium Outlets®
- Located less than 1 mile from the village, your Betas can shop at a variety of outlets.
Free Dining Options
- Free breakfast at each hotel, complete with the ever-popular Mickey Waffles
- All rooms come with a microwave and beverage refrigerator
Village Food Hall
This unique food hall which is adjacent to the Fairfield Inn & Suites, is open to all Village guests. It features a variety of food options, including:
- Burgers
- Pizzas & Flatbreads
- Salads
- Frozen Yogurt
- Grab and Go items
Other Dining
Multiple restaurants within walking distance:
- BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
- Bahama Breeze
- Golden Corral
- Landry’s Seafood
- Longhorn Steakhouse
- Hurricane Grill and Wings
- Subway
- Starbucks
- Pollo Tropical
- Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Distance/Shuttle to Convention Center
Complimentary shuttles to the Gaylord Palms and Convention Center will be available for all National Convention attendees. The official shuttle schedule will be released in 2025.
Transportation to Walt Disney World® Resort Theme Parks
Complimentary transportation to the following Walt Disney World Resort properties. The official transportation schedule will be released in 2025.
- Disney’s Epcot® Theme Park
- Hollywood Studios® Theme Park
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom®
- Disney Springs®
Additional transportation information can be found here.
Charter Buses
Two charter bus spaces dedicated for student pick-up.
Distance to Parks/Attractions
- Magic Kingdom® Theme Park (<7 miles, Approx. 15 minutes)
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios® Theme Park (<6 miles, Approx. 12 minutes)
- Epcot® Theme Park (<6 miles, Approx. 12 minutes)
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park (<7.5 miles, Approx. 13 minutes)
- Disney Springs® (<3 miles, Approx. 10 minutes)
- Universal Orlando Resort (<11 miles, Approx. 20-25 minutes)
Room Rates
- Fairfield Inn: $196 (tax not included)
- SpringHill Suites: $206 (tax not included)
- Courtyard by Marriott: $206 (tax not included)
SERVE ON A NATIONAL LEVEL
Beta Serves Orlando
First introduced at the 2022 National Convention in Nashville, Beta Serves is a national service project which allows Betas attending National Convention to demonstrate our motto, “Let Us Lead by Serving Others.” Through detailed research, the National Office highlights a need in the host city and partners with local organizations to allow our project to make the greatest impact.
This year, we’re partnering with the Orange County Public Schools to provide school supplies to students in Orlando. The items collected by clubs this summer will be distributed to the students in the area.
EXPLORE THE CONVENTION CENTER
Scavenger Hunt
At National Convention, members can participate in an exciting scavenger hunt that adds a fun and interactive element to their convention experience. As they explore the event, participants will be tasked with finding specific clues and completing challenges, keeping them engaged throughout their time at the convention. Not only is it a great way to connect with fellow Betas and immerse themselves in the convention activities, but it also offers the opportunity to win exclusive Beta trading pins—a highly sought-after prize for collectors and members alike!
CONNECT AND COLLECT
Trading Pins
Trading pins is a fun and innovative way to connect with other Betas attending National Convention.
- Many clubs produce pins that best represent their club and trade them with other attendees.
- A variety of trading pins are available for purchase in the Beta Shop.
- Trading pins can be displayed on a convention lanyard, on a lapel, a pin towel, etc.
PREFERRED VENDOR
Trading Pins Direct
Since 2022, we have partnered with TJM Promos, Inc, and TradingPinsDirect.com as our preferred trading pin vendor. They provide all National Beta clubs with discounted pricing on any orders when you order through the link. They are committed to excellence and service.
EXPLORE ORLANDO
Theme Park Tickets
We are excited to have coordinated with both Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World® to provide discounted tickets for all attendees. In addition, we’re excited to welcome the return of Beta Night at Universal Studios Florida!
Regular theme park tickets for both Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World® access is now available.
Past Convention Winners
Future Convention Locations
2026: Nashville, TN
2027: Fort Worth, TX
Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2024 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
Contact the Beta Team
If you have any questions about the National Convention, please contact our National Office.