By Aspen Hess, Key Club International trustee
Hey, Key Club International!
Our centennial anniversary is March 23, and as the date approaches, we look forward to all the upcoming events that will celebrate this historic event — the biggest being the 2025 Key Club International Convention.
This year’s event will be Wednesday, July 2, to Sunday, July 6, in sunny Orlando, Florida, U.S. It’s a chance to create long-lasting memories amidst impactful workshops, speeches from internationally prominent figures, time to connect with fellow leaders and much more. The luxury of the Hilton Lake Buena Vista Hotel — in addition to our proximity to Disney World, Universal Studios and countless other Florida-based attractions in your district tours — will ensure that this is a trip you don’t want to miss! Learn more on the convention webpage.
Tips for meeting the cost
One concern that members sometimes run into is the cost of the convention. While Key Club International does everything in its power to keep costs down, we also understand the barrier this can create for certain members. Here are a variety of avenues you can explore:
Scholarships. Each year, Key Club International offers scholarships to help members attend the convention. This year, scholarship applications will be open until February 17. These are open to all members. To apply, you will need to answer a questionnaire and submit a letter of recommendation from a Key Club advisor or Kiwanis member. You can apply here.
Fundraising. You can host a variety of events to raise funds for your trip — and you can often seek the help of your home club. Whether it’s a car wash, a donation drive or a spirit night, the sky’s the limit! For a comprehensive guide, check out this toolkit from Key Club International.
Sponsorship. Remember that your community is there to support you! Local businesses and philanthropic organizations are good places to look. You can visit your school’s Parent Teacher Association meetings or your local Chamber of Commerce. In your sponsorship proposal, make sure to highlight why you want to attend the convention, what impact you intend to have on your community post-convention and what other sources of funding you may be seeking.
Kiwanis support. Your sponsoring Kiwanis club may have funds budgeted for Key Club members to attend conventions — so let them know about your intention to attend ICON. Of course, it’s best to engage your Kiwanis club in general and build a relationship before seeking financial aid.
Club support. In some instances, your own Key Club may have some funds saved for members to attend — so the earlier you can inform your club about your goal to attend, the better. And make sure you’re a member in good standing!
Virtual fundraising. Websites such as GoFundMe and Kickstarter are great platforms to share your fundraising goal. And ask your parents, Kiwanis members and people in the community to share your goal on their social media platforms!
All in all, you have options when it comes to attending the Key Club International Convention. We’re in this together — and there are other members in your situation right now. We look forward to seeing you at this year’s convention!