A powered belt turn (10) for conveying parcels, objects and the like through an arcuate path from an input conveyor to an output conveyor. The powered belt turn (10) comprises a frustoconically shaped conveyor belt (15) which is supported for rotation through an arcuate path about angularly displaced end rollers (56). The conveyor belt is selectively and preferentially stiffened by reinforcing stays adapted to the conveyor belt structure. A motor (74) is operatively attached to an end roller causing the end roller to rotate thereby rotating the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is supported on a belt support plate (28) and maintained in engagement with the end rollers by a belt retainer. In a first embodiment, the belt retainer is a sheave belt retainer (12) comprising sheaves (96, 98) adapted to engage an inner edge (36) of the conveyor belt and to urge the conveyor belt into engagement with the end rollers. In a second embodiment, the belt retainer is a track belt retainer (112) comprising an arcuate track (150) having a track groove (152). Ball casters (39) are adapted to the reinforcing stays (40) extending from the inner edge of the conveyor belt. The arcuate track is urged into engagement with the ball casters thereby causing a retaining force to be transmitted to the conveyor belt to urge the conveyor belt into engagement with the end rollers.