At the 1987 New Orleans Conclave, a Dixieland jazz band entered the Imperial Ballroom and, like the Pied Piper, led one thousand delegates and guests out into the street, where they clapped and strutted five blocks to the French Quarter. “I think the Conclaves in 1981 and 1987 were the best,” said John Hartman, “because they seemed to promote more camaraderie. After business the convention flowed out onto Bourbon Street, and every ten feet you ran into a SigEp.”

The 1987 Conclave also recognized the eighties as an “alumni developmental stage.” Throughout the decade, the leadership and skills of the alumni contributed immeasurably to the strength of the fraternity. Because of this, contributions more than doubled in five years.