Conventions

Beta Beta Beta Conventions

National membership fees help support undergraduate research and travel grants every year, 12 district/regional conventions every year, and the national convention every other year. Just as the local chapter is the center of TriBeta programs, the district convention is the most important regional activity. It offers student members a chance to report their research and to hear from outstanding graduate investigators and teachers who give invited lectures and hold informal discussions.

Like graduate society meetings, the national conventions offer a chance to share current research and discuss scientific issues. Field trips have become an important part of the national convention which is often centered around some biological feature unique to the convention locale.​

Spring 2026 District Conventions
2026 National Convention

National Conventions (biennial)

Beta Beta Beta holds national biennial conventions at which business requiring the vote of the chapter representatives is conducted, and a chance is offered for students and faculty from around the country to meet and get to know each other. In the past, these conventions were held with the AAAS or the AIBS national meetings so that members might attend those sessions as well. As arrangements for those meetings changed, it became necessary to hold our own, separate meeting.

The conventions have grown from business and social meetings to full scale scientific meetings with presentations of research papers by members, invited guest speakers, field trips, awards and social activities. In the past, the convention was scheduled during the week between Christmas and New Year’s to assure all chapters a chance to attend during a period free of classwork. Since 1992, the location and time of the convention has moved from hotel convention sites to the college campus and has been held during the last week of May.

The National Frank G. Brooks Award is given for the best oral presentation in each of the several concurrent sessions, and the National John C. Johnson Award is given for the best poster presentation. The chapter recipient of the Lloyd M. Bertholf Award for Chapter Excellence is also announced here in convention years. Unique among honorary/professional groups, TriBeta has been able to offer limited support for attendance at the biennial meetings through travel grants made to chapters on a first come first served basis.

National Conventions History

  • 2024 -- Columbus State University, Mu Omicron, Columbus, GA, May 29 - June 2
    • Convention Page with Report including list of winners and photos: 2024 National Convention​
  • 2022 -- Oklahoma City University, Alpha Chapter, Oklahoma City, OK, June 1-5
    • 2022 National Convention Report
    • 2022 Brooks & Johnson Award Winners​
  • 2020 -- Cancelled due to COVID-19
  • 2018 -- California State University/Monterey Bay, Phi Beta Chapter, Asilomar State Park, CA, May 28-June 3
    • 2018 National Convention Report
    • 2018 Brooks & Johnson Award Winners
  • 2016 -- Bethel University, Gamma Omega Chapter, St. Paul, MN, May 30 - June 5
    • 2016 National Convention Report
    • 2016 Brooks & Johnson Award Winners
  • 2014 -- Gannon University, Theta Omega, Erie, PA, Eastern Region, June 2-8
  • 2012 -- San Juan, Puerto Rico, Caribbean Region, May 16-20
  • 2010 -- Fort Lewis College, campus, Epsilon Upsilon, Durango, CO, May 19-23
  • 2008—Northern Kentucky University, campus, Mu Iota, May 26-June 1
  • 2006 – Florida Institute of Technology, campus, Sigma Psi, Melbourne, FL May 24-28
  • 2004 – Mesa State College, campus, Epsilon Omicron, Grand Junction, CO May 26-30
  • 2002 – Saint Mary’s University, Delta Pi & Palo Alto College, Delta Pi Club, Hilton Palacio del Rio, San Antonio, TX, May 29 - June 2
  • 2000 – University of Puerto Rico/Cayey, Zeta Epsilon, Dr. Felix Velazquez Soto and Dr. Jose Molina, Ponce, Puerto Rico, June 1 – 5
  • 1998 – Dr. Keith Longpre San Diego, CA June 4 – 7
  • 1996 – Gannon University campus, Theta Omega, Dr. Steve Ropski, Erie, PA, May 30-June 2
  • 1994 – Carroll College, campus, Mu, Waukesha, WI
  • 1992 – Drew University, campus, Upsilon Delta, Madison, NJ
  • 1990 – Charleston, SC Dec, 1990
  • 1988 – Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Dec 26-30,1988 (Zeta Gamma Univ of PR/Rio Piedras campus, Zeta Alpha, UPR/ Mayaguez, Zeta Beta, Interamerican Univ (San German), Zeta Delta, Catholic Univ of PR, Zeta Epsilon, Uni of PR/Cayey, Zeta Zeta, Interamerican Univ (Hato Rey)
  • 1986 – Loyola University, Hotel Intercontinental, New Orleans, LA December 27 – 30, 1986 (Eta Lambda, Loyola University, Beta Lambda, Tulane University, Kappa Chi, University of New Orleans, Kappa Iota, Dillard University, Kappa Omicron, Southern University, Sigma Kappa, Xavier University)
  • 1984 – Arizona State, Epsilon Tau, Tempe, AZ, December 27 – 30, 1984 (Joint meeting with American Society of Zoologists and several smaller societies.)
  • 1982– Sheraton Inn, Huntsville, AL December 27 –30, 1982
  • 1980 – Memphis State University, Mu Alpha, Memphis, TN, Dec 28 –31, 1980
  • 1978 – Texas Southern College, campus, Delta Upsilon, Houston, TX, Dec 27-30, 1978
  • 1976 – California State College, Fullerton, California, Dec 27 – 30, 1976.
  • 1974 – Puerto Rico, December 27-31, 1974.
  • 1972 – Washington, D.C. December 27, 1972, 50th Anniversary Celebration.