An update on the Toronto 2018 Rotary International Convention
 
There are just under 21 months to go before the 2018 Convention in Toronto will be taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and the Air Canada Centre. During the course of the run up to 2018, which sometimes feels like a marathon and other times seems more like a 100 yard dash, we would like to keep you abreast of what preparations are taking place.
 
You may be aware that the journey to Toronto 2018 all began in 2010 when a bid proposal was submitted to Rotary International for Toronto to host the 2018 Rotary International Convention. In 2011 Toronto was selected as the site for 2018. Since being selected a lot of behind the scenes activities have been taking place.
 
There are 3 major stakeholders involved in the organizing of every Rotary Convention.
  • The Rotary International Convention Staff based in Evanston (RI Staff)
  • The Rotary International Convention Committee (ICC)
  • The Rotary International Convention Host Committee (HOC)
Members of the RI Staff are responsible for the overall planning, logistics, planning and execution of a successful convention. Staff have already visited Toronto on several occasions and are well on their way to fulfilling their mandate. All major convention venues have been booked, blocks of hotel rooms have been set aside and Keynote Speakers as well as Major Entertainment Acts are being sought out.
 
The ICC is responsible for the direction of the convention and how it aligns with the vision of Rotary International and its President Elect. Under the guidance of Rotary International President Elect Ian Riseley the ICC has been nominated and have met in Toronto this past August. The Convention theme “There is a world of opportunity waiting for you at the Toronto Convention” and tagline “Inspiration around Every Corner” were developed at the August ICC meeting as well as the choice of Convention Logo.
 
The HOC is where we all come in. Being responsible for the House of Friendship, two major cultural or entertainment events, home hosting and hundreds of volunteer Ambassadors the HOC is an integral part of the convention. Over the past 18 months we have laid the foundation of the HOC with the appointment of some subcommittee chairs. We have also solicited the financial support of Districts 7010, 7040, 7070, 7080, 7090 and 6330 to help finance the HOC activities during the lead up to the convention.
 
The HOC website www.rotary2018.org has been launched and over the next few months we will be expanding the website to provide up to date information on Toronto 2018 and enable on line HOC volunteering.
 
Over the next 6 months we will be looking for the help of every Rotarian in each of the Supporting Districts by volunteering to be part of an HOC Subcommittee, to volunteer to be a Convention Ambassador and by registering for the convention as soon as registration opens up in June 2017.
 
Should you be planning to attend the 2017 Rotary International Convention in Atlanta we would like to have you as part of our promotion team. Perhaps you might wear a Toronto 2018 T Shirt, help out at the Toronto 2018 Registration booth or invite everyone you meet to come to Toronto.
 
2018 will be the 5th time the Rotary Convention will be held in Toronto. That makes our city the location of the most Rotary conventions in the world after Chicago.
 
Let’s all work together to make 2018 the best convention yet.
 
Michele Guy & Michael Cooksey
Co-Chairs Toronto 2018 HOC