While it is exciting to finish my term of office in Washington, D.C., I realize that I may be the only person in the ballroom when the 49th Triennial comes to its end.

While many of you appreciate the fact that there are two lunches and two dinners connected to the Registration Fee, I share your concerns. Had the meals not been connected in order to fulfill the hotel contract requirements, the Registration Fee would have been much lower.

To that end, the General Grand Council will be issuing a partial rebate to all credentialed voting members of the Purple House shortly after the end of the General Grand Assembly on September 1, 2026. Details on the amount and the process to follow will be forthcoming later this year.

Nevertheless, it is clear that we need to change the way in which we select the sites for future Triennials with our Companions in the Red House. I will be announcing the appointment of a Triennial Site Selection Commission for the purpose of identifying at least three (3) different viable locations for the 2029 Triennial. I would hope that the next General Grand Master would be supportive of such an effort as it will restore confidence in our site selection process.

By recent tradition, it is the Purple House’s turn to select the location. I propose that this Commission will receive suggestions from the next General Grand Master as well as the next General Grand High Priest on possible locations and dates. Of course, once a site is selected, there would be a “host” Triennial Committee to handle the details of budgeting, scheduling, hotel room rates and the costs of meals and registration fees.

Of course, we could consider a change in joining resources with the Grand Encampment and General Grand Chapter and hold our future Triennials together. This has been suggested in the past few years by Sir Knights and Companions. The General Grand Chapter and General Grand Council could alternate every three years on a Friday and Saturday with Grand Encampment to follow. Please feel free to share your thoughts on this concept by email.