Members of the Roanoke Chapter, Smart Set traveled to New York to attend the 81st National Smart Set Conclave. With the theme “Empire State of Mind,” the Conclave was held October 11-14 at the NY Conrad Hotel in Lower Manhattan with the New York Chapter serving as host chapter. A reception atop the One World Observatory Building, (the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the 4th tallest building in the world), was the highlight of event for the weekend.
Consistent with the purpose of the Smart Set organization, the Conclave provided opportunities for members to fellowship with old friends and meet new ones. Featured events included a fabulous dinner cruise on the Hudson, a Harlem Renaissance Ball, a Wine Tasting School and luncheon in the American Express building, and a Gospel/Jazz Brunch. A bus tour of Harlem, a walking tour of the African Grave sites, and the World Trade Center Memorial were optional events.
Although the focus of the Smart Set is to foster friendship and networking opportunities, an annual donation is made to a charity. This year, $12,500 was given to NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
The weekend concluded on an upbeat and spiritual note with the Gospel/Jazz brunch; after which each bided farewell until the 2019 meeting in Columbus, OH, hosted by the Columbus Chapter.
