The 57th Annual District 1-A Convention will be held on March 20-22, 2026 at The WESTIN Chicago Northwest Hotel in Itasca, IL. Governor Richard Moy has chosen a Baseball theme for his Convention. "Hey Lions, Batter Up, Bring your 1A Game"
Justice Christopher Shea Nickell from Paducah, Kentucky, USA, was elected to serve a two-year
term as a director of Lions Clubs International at the association’s 102nd International
Convention held in Milan, Italy, July 5 through July 9, 2019.
On November 5, 2019, Past Director Nickell was elected to serve as a Justice on the seven-
member Supreme Court of Kentucky. He previously served thirteen years as a Judge on the
Kentucky Court of Appeals, having been first elected in 2006 and having been selected Chief
Judge Pro Tempore. Prior to becoming an appellate judge, he served 22 years as a trial attorney,
prosecutor, public advocate, and university instructor. In 1995, the Kentucky Bar Association
recognized him as the Outstanding Kentucky Young Lawyer.
A member of the Paducah Lions Club since 1989, he has held many offices within the
association, including club president, district governor, multiple district council chair, and
president of the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation. He was a member of the 94th Lions
International Convention’s Rules Committee, co-chairperson of the 96th Lions International
Convention’s Nominations Committee, and co-parliamentarian and DG/PDG Banquet chair of
the 100th Lions International Convention. He was also a faculty member for the inaugural
“Bachelor’s Degree” club-level programs of Lions University.
In recognition of his service to the association, Past Director Nickell has received numerous
awards, including the Senior Master Key Award and several International Presidential awards.
He is a member of the Kentucky Lions Hall of Fame.
In addition to his Lions activities, Past Director Nickell has been active in many professional and
community organizations. An Eagle Scout, he has been recognized as a Kentucky Colonel, Duke
of Paducah, Honorary Captain of the Belle of Louisville, and a Sagamore of the Wabash.
Past Director Nickell is a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow and his wife, Lion Carolyn S.
Watson, M.D., a pathologist, is also a Melvin Jones Fellows.
2:00 PM - 10:00 PM Convention Registration 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Vendors’ Displays, Lions Tables 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM Delegate / Alternate Certification 6:45 PM – 8:30 PM Opening Session/Parade of Banners/1st Plenary 8:30 PM - 1:00 AM Club Hospitality Rooms
Convention Registration & Delegate/Alternate Certification8:00 AM - 11:30 AM Convention Registration2:30 PM - 4:00 PM Convention Registration9:00 PM - 10:00 PM Convention Registration9:00 AM -11:30 AM Delegate / Alternate Certification2:30 PM - 4:00 PM Delegate / Alternate CertificationSaturday Agenda8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Theme Basket Display8:30 AM - 2:30 PM Vendors and Displays 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Governor's Cultural Showcase10:45 AM -11:45 AM Bloody Mary / Mimosa Toast 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM Luncheon & Second Plenary Session 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Governor’s Reception 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Governor's Banquet 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM Club Hospitality Rooms
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Convention Registration7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Delegate / Alternate Certification7:30 AM - 8:40 AM District Voting8:45 AM - 11:30 AM Breakfast & 3rd Plenary Session12:30 PM - 2:00 PM District Officer - Elect Reception
**Preliminary Schedule may be subject to change**
Includes Registration, District Lunch, Governor's Banquet and District Breakfast
You must include a Registration fee with any meal choice below
**NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED AFTER MARCH 13, 2026**
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