RI Convention in Atlanta

In a convention center large enough to fit four big airplanes – one on each floor – a near record number of 42,713 Rotarians from 130 countries gathered in Atlanta, GA during the week of June 10-14 for the 108th Annual Rotary International Convention. Enthusiastic Rotarians – of every nation, kindred, tongue and people - came from near and far, some in native costume but all proudly wearing the Rotary brand.

We were all in Atlanta to garner great ideas from a variety of Rotary leaders, world dignitaries and in a variety of exceptional breakout sessions; fun, fellowship and the chance to discuss all the good we are doing in the world. During the convention we were in the same room (although it was a very big room) with such famous names and faces as Bill Gates, Co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (who have to date given Rotary International $750,000,000 - or 3/4 of a billion dollars - to finish to fight to eradicate polio from the earth); Ashton Kutcher, actor and founder of THORN - an organization dedicated to eradicating human trafficking; John Cenu, the voice of WWE; and, Jack Nicklaus, a polio survivor now serving as a Rotary ambassador helping to raise funds for Rotary's end game in the fight against polio.

I signed up in mid-March and at the time, Ed was adament he would be golfing for the entire time I was in meetings. By the time we were actually on the ground in Atlanta, his plans had changed but by then we could not afford the nearly $500 late registration fee for him to attend with me. We compromised by him “kicking around” Atlanta in the mornings and me giving up almost all of the breakout sessions each afternoon.

On Sunday, we took a ride over to see the Atlanta Temple, then drove to Augusta, GA, home of what Ed claimed to be the “ultra-fabulous, amazing, gotta-go-see-it-or-die” Augusta National Golf Course. Interesting … because when we got there - 157 miles later - this multi-million dollar 100-year-old course was completely sequestered from the prying eyes of those of us who are not multi-million dollar golf professionals while the surrounding community was – in a word – pretty non-descript … and some areas were downright blighted. A sad commentary on the “haves” and “have-nots” and a 6-hour round trip we both agree we should have skipped all together.

But during the next couple of days, we did enjoy the Atlanta Aquarium, lunch in the food court of the CNN Headquarters building, a tour of the World of Coca-cola Corporate Headquarters and a ride on the ferris wheel – complete with the Rotary symbol in full view - overlooking the city. Not sure if Atlanta was so good to us because of the sheer number of Rotarians in town at one time or because its just a really nice city. Either way, it was an enjoyable few days! We hope to go to the Toronto, Canada convention next year, but we’ll see (Hawaii is the one after that!)