Birmingham looks set to welcome 25,000 Rotary International Convention delegates in 2009
after a successful bid to host the 100th Rotary International Convention was awarded by the
Rotary International Board of Directors today.
The 100th Rotary International Convention will be one of the biggest events to be held in the
UK for over twenty years, and Birmingham has been chosen as the host city thanks to the
combined efforts of Marketing Birmingham, Birmingham City Council, The NEC Group and the
Rotary Club of Birmingham.
Leader of Birmingham City Council, Mike Whitby said: “Rotary International is the world’s
largest service organisation and its prestigious Annual Convention has been hosted by Osaka
in Japan, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Copenhagen and Malmo since 2004. It is a particular
honour for Birmingham to be chosen to host the Convention’s centenary celebrations, which
will provide the city with an excellent opportunity to demonstrate its position as a global city
with a local heart.
“This event has been attracted with support from the subvention fund established earlier this
year, which is managed by Marketing Birmingham. This clearly demonstrates the importance
of being able to support high profile events. The estimated economic impact for the Rotary
International Convention 2009, combined with that for the Conservative Party Conferences in
2008 and 2010 amounts to a substantial return on investment, one that will benefit the whole
city.”
Rotary International is a worldwide organisation of business and professional leaders that
provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps
build goodwill and peace in the world. It has more than 1.2million members, in over 32,000
clubs in 168 countries.
The four-day convention in 2009 will attract visitors from all around the world including North
America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australasia, India and Japan.
Neil Rami, Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham said: “This is a fantastic achievement for
the city. Over four days the 25,000 delegates are expected to generate an economic impact
of at least £20m, bolstering city hotels, bars, restaurants and attractions, and will once again
project Birmingham onto the international events stage. Events of this scale help to create a
real buzz in the city and are testament to the excellent developments that are taking place in
Birmingham to maintain its position as a world leader in events.
“This has been a team effort between ourselves, the Rotary Club of Birmingham and The
NEC, with support from Birmingham City Council. Our success also demonstrates the
fantastic results that can be achieved when organisations in the city work in partnership.”
Robert Lee, President of The Rotary Club of Birmingham which will be the official host of the
Rotary International Convention 2009, said: “It is a tremendous honour for the Rotary Club
of Birmingham to be asked to host such a high profile and important event as the 100th
Rotary International Convention. On behalf of the Rotary Club of Birmingham and the clubs
within District 1060, we acknowledge and thank Rotary International for providing our city
and our club with this fabulous opportunity, which will enable us to present to the world what
a great destination city Birmingham really is.”
The Rotary International Convention 2009 will take place at the NEC. The last time the event
was in Birmingham was in 1984 when it was also held at The NEC where it attracted a record
attendance for a European-based Rotary conference and Birmingham was showered with
praise for its attractions, facilities and welcome it gave to delegates. The fact that the
organisation has chosen to return to the city highlights the impression made and fond
memories that were taken away.
Paul Thandi, Chief Executive of The NEC Group said: “The fact that the event is returning to
The NEC demonstrates that our investment in the venue is ensuring that we are a natural
choice for world class events.
“Visitors in 2009, who also attended the previous event here in 1984, will undoubtedly be
impressed with the changes that have taken place both at The NEC and in Birmingham, with
new developments across all areas of the city having transformed it into a vibrant and
cosmopolitan destination for business and leisure.”
The estimated economic impact of £20m will benefit businesses across the city, particularly in the hospitality sector.
Ian Taylor, Commercial Director, Marketing Birmingham concluded: “We are in final
contractual negotiations with Rotary International and hope to welcome a delegation from
the organising committee to the city over the next couple of weeks.”
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Tracey Saunders, Head of PR & Corporate Affairs, Marketing Birmingham
Tel: 0121 202 5002 or email us.
Factsheet : Rotary International
- Rotary International is a global network of service volunteers. It is the world's largest
service organisation for business and professional people, with some 1,210,905
members operating in 168 countries world-wide.
- Rotary has the ability to organize campaigns to mobilize support for some of the
worthiest causes that exist, and that makes Rotary a precious resource."
Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations
- There are some 58,000 Rotarians in Great Britain and Ireland in 1,845 clubs, helping
those in need and working towards world understanding and peace.
- The world's first service club was the Rotary Club of Chicago, Illinois, USA. The club
was formed 23 February 1905 by lawyer Paul P. Harris and three friends — a
merchant, a coal dealer, and a mining engineer.
- Prospective members must actively hold -or be retired from -a professional,
proprietary, executive or managerial position. And they must have the desire and
ability to serve and to meet the club's attendance requirements for its weekly
meetings.
- The Birmingham district is supporting the RIBI Preferred Projects; Impact,
Barnardo’s, the Institute for Cancer Research and the Wheelchair Foundation.
Download Rotary_International_Convention_en (.pdf 22.98 KB)
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