Annual Rotary convention takes over Toronto

The City of Toronto is hosting the 109th annual international Rotary convention this week, with 24,000 Rotarians from across 175 countries expected to attend.

It is estimated the convention will inject nearly $50 million in the local economy.

Often described as a “mini-United Nations”, Rotary’s fifth convention in Toronto will transform the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Air Canada Centre into a cultural mosaic as the organization’s global network of volunteers gather to exchange ideas on how to improve lives and bring positive, lasting change to communities around the world.

Registrants will engage in workshops and hear from a lineup of world-class speakers, including Helen Clark, former prime minister of New Zealand, former administrator of the United Nations Development Programme; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general, World Health Organization and Caryl Stern, president and CEO of UNICEF.

Organized by Rotary International in conjunction with the Toronto Host Organizing Committee of local Rotary members, registrants of the convention will also get to experience  visits to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and the historic Distillery District.

“Toronto is a perfect fit for our convention. Rotary, much like the Queen City, is made up of people from different cultural backgrounds and walks of life,” said Ian H.S. Riseley, president of Rotary International. “We are honored to be hosted in a city that values and celebrates diversity.”