Twin Cities to Host 140th Imperial Session of Shriners International

Shriners to bring festivities and fun to Minneapolis This Summer

April 9, 2014 (Minneapolis, MN) Minneapolis will soon see a flood of red fezzes, mini-cars, live music, parades and family-centric fun; as it gears up to receive 15,000 visitors from all around the world this summer to celebrate the 140th annual Imperial Session of Shriners International.

The Imperial Session is an annual business meeting and celebration of the international fraternity, which is composed of 195 temples (chapters) around the world. The Imperial Session will run from July 6 through July 10, with events mainly taking place at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

The most well-known event of the Session, which is open to the public, is the Shriners Parade, during which downtown Minneapolis will be enlivened with all sorts of fun, such as motor corps, clowns, bands and more. The Session is estimated to bring in $34 million in revenue for local businesses, according to Meet Minneapolis.

The Twin Cities has a proud history holding the Imperial Session, as this will be the 7th time since 1908 playing host to the annual gathering. As a highlight during the Session, Grand Forks, ND resident Dale Stauss is expected to be named the organizations newest Imperial Potentate, or executive leader, for the 2014-2015 term. Stauss became a member of Kem Shriners in Grand Forks in 1982 and served as the temples president in 1997. His wife, Cheryl will become the First Lady of the organization and will announce her fundraising program for Shriners Internationals official philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Both John Cinotto, current Imperial Potentate, and I are excited to be coming to Minneapolis to take part in the annual Imperial Session festivities, Stauss said. It will be extremely rewarding to be part of the rich legacy that the Shriners have cultivated in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Deemed The Worlds Greatest Philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children is a nonprofit system of 22 locations treating children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, regardless of their families ability to pay. Members of the fraternity give of their time to ensure the children are able to get the treatment they need.

Minneapolis and surrounding area patients are typically treated at the Twin Cities Shriners Hospital. In 2013 alone, more than 7,119 children from the Twin Cities and surrounding regions received outpatient care from the hospital.

Were looking forward to sharing in the Imperial Session, said Charlie Lobeck, Shriners Hospitals for Children Twin Cities administrator. Its a great opportunity to showcase to the community what a wonderful care facility and overall fantastic pediatric resource our health care system is.

As part of the activities, Shriners Hospitals for Children will reveal the two new national patient ambassadors for 2014, with the premiere of a video documentary of their heartwarming, encouraging, and real life experiences. The Imperial Session will feature the parade, an installation ceremony for the Imperial Potentate-Elect and a variety of fun competitions and gatherings. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.imperial2014.com or follow us on social media www.facebook.com/ShrinersImperial2014.

About Shriners International

Shriners International, a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth, founded Shriners Hospitals for Children as its official philanthropy in 1922. The organization, which began as one hospital, is now a world-renowned health care system with 22 facilities in three countries. The fraternity, which has nearly 200 chapters in seven countries and thousands of clubs around the world, continues to operate and support this unique health care system. Go to shrinersinternational.org to learn more.

About Shriners Hospitals for Children

Shriners Hospitals for Children changes lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. The 22 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate. Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. For more information, please visit www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org .