50 Years of Forum History
Explore the history of the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum from its beginnings in 1977 through the present. Search by year, city, theme or leader, or browse by decade.
Moments That Shaped the Forum
The Beginning
The first Forum was held in Rosemont, Illinois, launching what would become a longstanding leadership-development tradition.
Canada Joins the Vision
Canadian Lions asked to formally join the Forum, beginning the transition toward a joint USA/Canada event.
USA/Canada Lions Forum
Following a Lions Clubs International policy change, the Forum officially became a joint USA/Canada event.
First Canadian Host City
Calgary, Alberta became the first Canadian city to host the Forum.
Leadership Added to the Name
The official name became the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum to reflect its leadership-development mission.
25th Anniversary
Halifax hosted the Silver Anniversary Forum, a deeply memorable gathering held only days after September 11.
50th Anniversary
Memphis hosts the 50th USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum, celebrating five decades of leadership, learning and fellowship.
Rosemont, IL
The Forum began from an initiative of Lions International President Joe McLoughlin, with Norm Dahl asked to lead the effort. Illinois Lions carried the financial responsibility for the inaugural event.
Detroit, MI
Detroit hosted the second Forum, featuring national speakers and a Sightmobile that provided glaucoma screening.
Bloomington, MN
After the Detroit Forum, Lions leaders worked to establish the Forum as a broader U.S. Lions responsibility and met in Bloomington to clarify its purpose and promotion.
St. Louis, MO
With 1,808 attendees, the Forum emphasized leadership education. Canadian Lions formally asked to join the Forum, beginning the policy changes that would make it a joint USA/Canada event.
Denver, CO
About 1,400 Lions, Lioness and Leos attended, with seminars on training, public relations, extension and leadership roles. The Air Force Academy choir provided special entertainment.
Louisville, KY
Following a Lions Clubs International policy change, the event became the USA/Canada Lions Forum. Attendance reached a record 1,826.
Chicago, IL
The Forum returned to the Chicago area and set another attendance record with 2,094 participants. Club presidents were also offered a special visit to Lions Clubs International Headquarters.
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia hosted the eighth Forum. The International President and all three vice presidents attended, along with many international directors.
Hollywood, FL
About 1,650 attendees gathered for a program focused on stronger membership and leadership, with several professional and motivational speakers.
Calgary, AB
Calgary became the first Canadian city to host the Forum. Approximately 2,000 attended, and a new site-inspection practice was adopted for future host-city selection.
Kansas City, MO
Attendance reached another record at 2,108. Proceedings books were provided and work began on a formal Forum policy manual.
Niagara Falls, NY
The official name became the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum to better reflect its leadership-development mission. Attendance climbed to 2,981, and several enduring Forum features were introduced.
Albuquerque, NM
Nearly 2,500 attended. The early-bird registration discount was introduced, along with a health fair, while the traditional Sunday Forum Review was discontinued.
Nashville, TN
The Opryland Hotel hosted the Forum. Early registration and preregistration for the following Forum expanded, and a Long Range Planning Committee was established.
Salt Lake City, UT
The 15th Forum featured Dr. Stephen R. Covey and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. A Forum Office had been established, and attendance reached a record 3,029.
Oklahoma City, OK
The Forum emphasized membership and introduced hotel distribution of attendee registration packets. Attendance set another record at 3,177.
Winston-Salem, NC
About 2,600 attended. The program connected leadership with membership growth and featured motivational presentations focused on resilience and service.
Des Moines, IA
The Forum featured the memorable 'Trial of John Q. Lion,' collected more than 300,000 used eyeglasses for recycling, and introduced computer-generated event tickets.
Edmonton, AB
Approximately 2,900 attended. Selected presentations became available on videotape, and the program increased its use of professional speakers.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee welcomed about 2,910 attendees for a leadership-focused program featuring several professional motivational speakers.
Syracuse, NY
Around 2,700 Lions attended a Forum built around honoring the past while looking toward the future of Lions leadership.
Lexington, KY
Lexington set a new attendance record with 3,614 participants. More than 50 seminars and multiple professional speakers supported the leadership theme.
Birmingham, AL
The Forum expanded vendor participation, promoted itself internationally, developed a website, and obtained 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
Tucson, AZ
The 24th Forum included a visit opportunity to the Melvin Jones Lions International Memorial and drew attendees from countries beyond the USA and Canada.
Halifax, NS
The 25th Anniversary Forum took place only days after the September 11 attacks. A memorial service, historic recognition, and extraordinary Canadian hospitality made the Halifax Forum especially memorable.
Fort Worth, TX
Portland, OR
Reno, NV
Peoria, IL
Columbus, OH
Grand Rapids, MI
Saskatoon, SK
Memphis, TN
Milwaukee, WI
Anchorage, AK
Tampa, FL
Overland Park, KS
San Juan, PR
Grand Rapids, MI
Omaha, NE
Portland, OR
Columbus, OH
Spokane, WA
Louisville, KY
Des Moines, IA
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Reno, Nevada
Louisville, Kentucky
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Memphis, Tennessee
Huntsville, Alabama
A Legacy of Perfect Attendance
Beginning with the 25th Anniversary Forum in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 2001, the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum recognized Lions whose extraordinary commitment included attending every Forum since the event began in 1977.
Honoring Those Who Were There From the Beginning
At the 2001 Forum in Halifax, Lions who had maintained perfect attendance since the birth of the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum were recognized for their remarkable dedication to the Forum and its mission of developing Lions leaders.
The “Dynamic Duo”
Years after the original perfect-attendance recognition, the Forum continued to celebrate the extraordinary commitment of Lions who had remained part of this leadership tradition from its earliest years.
At the 2018 Forum in Columbus, Ohio, PDG Bruce Strome and PID Roger Richert were recognized together for their continuing record of Forum attendance.
More Than Attendance — A Commitment to the Forum
Their extraordinary attendance reflects the loyalty, fellowship and commitment to leadership development that have sustained the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum from its earliest years through its 50th anniversary and beyond.