Rotary International Convention Experience

The Rotary International annual convention was held the last week of June. Several exhilarating, informative, fun-filled, productive and exhausting days.

Fun facts and personal observations:

• 15,000 Rotarians from 140 different countries gathered in Calgary, Alberta for the event
• Francesco Arezzo, RI President ‘25-’26, top priorities are: Membership, Polio and Peace
• There is a strong linkage/overlap w/United Nations goals:
  •  The UN has 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Rotary’s 7 Areas of Focus map directly into the SDGs
• Peace – lots of emphasis on this area of focus throughout the conference
• Environmental Projects and Programs really ramping up
• The conference speakers at the daily sessions were amazing and the topics diverse. Speakers included:
  • Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta
  • Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General World Health Organization
  • Katharine Hayhoe, Chief Scientist of the Nature Conservatory
  • Geena Davis, Actress and Chair of Geena Davis Institute
  • Tawakkol Karman, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• Calgary is a beautiful city and I enjoyed the public art pieces throughout the downtown area
• When the attendees were not busy in General Sessions, Breakout Sessions, on the show floor attending short topic discussions and expertly staffed booths, there were excellent afterhours fellowship events and entertainment options provided