Rotarians at a previous event. Photo Credit: Rotary
Some 25,000 delegates are expected to descend on Singapore for the Rotary International Convention 2024 from 26-29 May, with participants ranging from Rotaractors and Arch Klumph Society members to youth exchange officers and general attendees.
The main sessions will take place at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre where the family of Rotary will come together all under one roof to renew their commitment to being people of action. Rotary leaders, members, and global leaders will motivate and empower participants alongside world-class entertainment.
Collaboration with DMCs
Beyond the conference floor, tours in Singapore and around the region will be available to delegates via appointed agencies such as The Traveller DMC Singapore, ExplorewithLindaG, and ISE Travel.
Jimmy Ooi, director, ISE Travel, said: “We have selected, met and briefed our ASEAN network of tour operators to be ready in catering to demands of delegates for both local and regional travel. Apart from that, we have a number of Rotary Club members (aka Rotarians) joining us as volunteers to coordinate the tour and social activities as well.”
With many of the delegates being first-time visitors to Singapore, Ooi has taken care to showcase Singapore’s cultural richness through the programming.
Local partners such as ISE Travel’s Jimmy Ooi (left) and ExplorewithLindaG’s Linda Gouw (right) see the importance of showcasing Singapore’s diversity of culture, cuisine and experiences through immersive tours.ISE Travel, for instance, has crafted tours to the eastern side of Singapore where delegates will be immersed in the heartlands. Others include train rides to two popular religious sites – the Kwan Im Tong Hood Cho Temple and Srikrishnan Temple where local worshippers throng the halls with morning prayers, followed by a visit to Albert Mall, Bugis Street, Peranakan Houses, Tiong Baru Estate, bakeries, markets and the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) flats.
Similarly, ExplorewithLindaG is also offering bespoke tour experiences for Rotary Convention delegates during their time in Singapore, with hawker culture tours in Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam; discovering Singapore’s Peranakan culture and traditions in the districts of Katong and Joo Chiat; a visit to the Singapore River and a bumboat cruise; and visiting hidden gems at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
“Understanding the need for unique local experiences during MICE events, I pitched our exclusive tours to the organising committee, emphasising our commitment to providing an immersive and unparalleled experience for our guests,” ExplorewithLindaG’s Linda Gouw, assistant governor of the Rotary Club of Queenstown, told M&C Asia.
Meanwhile, The Traveller DMC Singapore will be offering tours such as walking tours with early migrant themes, and sustainable Singapore stories. It will also offer Bali, Bintan, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Desara Coast tours.
Convention highlights
There will be two opening general sessions. Breakout sessions include a myriad of topics such as: Boost Your Mental Wellbeing; E-Business for the Youth; Empower Communities through Rotary; Saving Endangered Species from; Together, We End Polio; Trauma and Wellness in Times of Crisis; How to Start a Rotary Club in a Corporate Building; Exploring AI and the Future of Rotary Club.
Ticketed events include the Youth Exchange Officers Pre-convention; President-Elect’s Leadership Luncheon; and The Rotary Foundation Bring Hope to the World Luncheon.