Thursday June 25th – Saturday June 27th, 2026
Please check as needed as we are continuously updating this page.
Our first in person AHS Symposium will be held by the Great Lakes Branch of the Society June 25th-27th, 2026 in Detroit Michigan. Our theme will be a Celebration of American Heraldry, as apart of the US Semi-Quincentennial. This page is where you can find details regarding registration and accommodations; as well as list of sessions and speakers; sponsorship and vendor opportunities; and much more!
Important Dates
- Early registration is now live and closes April 30th, 2026.
- Proposals for papers (presentations) are due by December 30th, 2025.
- Proposals for themed sessions and workshops are due by July 31st, 2025.
- Block rate for host hotel closes May 22nd, 2026.
- Late registration begins May 1st, 2026 and ends June 19th (late fees apply, see registration page for details).
The Badge of the Great Lakes Branch, AHS
Quick Links
Schedule of Events
We have a great weekend of informative talks, workshops, panels, excursions, and much more! For more details please follow the links provided. Add ons to your attendance pass are marked with an “*”, add on fees are given on the registration page.
Thursday June 25th
Set up day and Welcome Reception
Time
12:00PM-5:00PM
7:30PM Onwards
Event
Vendor Set Up
Welcome Reception
Location
Exhibits Hall, St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Friday June 26th
Opening Ceremonies, Day One of Sessions, and Excursions
Time
9:30AM
10:00AM-2:30PM
12:00-1:30PM
2:30-5:30PM
8:00PM
Event
Opening Ceremonies
Sessions
Lunch Break
Excursions
Compline (offered by the Cathedral Dean)
Location
Cathedral Nave
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Barth Hall
Varied
Cathedral Quire
Saturday June 27th
Investiture of Fellows, Day Two of Sessions, Keynote Speaker, Annual Meeting, Gala
Time
8:00-9:15AM
9:30-10:00AM
10:00AM-2:30PM
12:00-1:30PM
2:30-3:30
3:40-4:30PM
6:00-7:00PM
7:00PM Onwards
Event
Board of Governors Meeting
Fellows Investiture
Sessions
Lunch Break
Keynote Speaker
Annual General Meeting
Cocktail Reception
Gala Banquet
Location
Library
Cathedral Quire
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Barth Hall
Cathedral Nave
Cathedral Nave
Amnesia Bar, Motor City Hotel
Amnesia Ballroom
Sunday June 28th (unofficial day)
Offerings from the Cathedral for late Departures
Time
7:30AM
8:15AM
11:00AM
4:00PM
Event
Matins
Said Mass
Sung Mass
Choral Evensong
Location
Cathedral Chapel
Cathedral Church
Cathedral Church
Cathedral Church
Our Host: The Cathedral Church of St. Paul
Designed by Cram & Ferguson in the mid 1900s and bedecked with heraldry, the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul has been the crowning glory of Woodward Avenue for over one hundred years. Boasting a richly decorated interior of local materials, stunning woodwork, mosaics, stone carving, and stained glass; the Cathedral has graciously offered to host our Symposium for 2025.
Throughout the weekend we will have sessions in four rooms of the complex, including the Sanctuary, where we will hold our opening and closing ceremonies, annual meeting, and keynote address; as well as the Crawley Room, where we will gather for our opening reception and lunch on Friday and Saturday. Just across the hall from the main entrance we will have a vendors hall, exhibits, and much more!
Call for Papers, Sessions, and Workshops
We are currently seeking proposals for themed sessions and workshops for our 2025 symposium. Sessions of papers can be focused on any subject related to Heraldry and is associated fields, and or any other subject as it intersects with the field of heraldic studies. Papers submitted to themed sessions will be reviewed and accepted by the session sponsors; any paper proposal may be submitted to the general sessions. Workshops are primarily intended to be open to beginners in the subject or advanced heraldic studies. For more details please see our Sessions & Workshops page.
Accommodations
For this year’s symposium the Society has contracted with Motor City Casino Hotel to host our members and guests for both our accommodations and our Gala Dinner. This is a beautiful, recently renovated, establishment that has been very kind to the volunteers helping to make this event possible. A block room rate (applicable to standard rooms) is available for attendees of our event. There will be a shuttle between the Casino Hotel and St. Paul’s Cathedral each day for ease of transport. Parking is complimentary. Reservations using the block rate code for this event will be posted soon.
Excursions
On Friday June 26th we will have a break at the end of our day for a time of fun and fellowship via two exciting excursions. As we are in a beautiful and historic city we have an opportunity to get out and see what a recently rebuilt Detroit has to offer. One excursion is included in your Full Pass registration or may be added to a Day Pass. For more details on these opportunities see below.
Detroit Institute of Arts
Located behind the Cathedral Church is the world famous Detroit Institute of Arts, one of the premiere art museums in the country containing nearly one hundred galleries. We are excited to partner with the DIA for one of our Symposium excursions. Your ticket will allow for self guided or structured tours of their collection and a shuttle back to the host hotel in the evening. More information coming soon!
Belle Isle
Just a short shuttle ride away and nestled on the US side of the Detroit River is Belle Isle, a leisure destination for locals and tourists alike since the gilded age. Home to a conservatory, aquarium, nature center, and the Museum of the Great Lakes; this state park is truly a must see excursion on your visit to Detroit. More information coming soon!