Posted by Holger Knaack on Jan 29, 2021
By now, we have sadly grown accustomed to hearing of the need to shift major public events to being ​held virtually rather than face-to-face. Unfortunately, Rotary International's Board of Directors was compelled to again make the difficult decision to celebrate this year’s International Convention as a virtual event.
While this may not be an unexpected decision, it is still a deeply disappointing one — for us and for our friends in Taiwan, who have been planning an exceptional event. I want to thank the Host Committee for the admirable job they did building support for what surely would have been one of Rotary’s finest events.

We had hoped that a combination of vaccine uptake and public-health measures would have brought the COVID-19 pandemic under control. We all know that in many parts of the world the pandemic is still raging and we must maintain our vigilance and patience before resuming major public gatherings. Taiwan has done an admirable job managing the pandemic — and local Rotarians were still eager to host and celebrate with us. Under the guidance of the World Health Organization and the local public-health organization in Taiwan, it became clear that an event of this scale would be impossible to host safely.

While we are disappointed that we could not have a traditional convention, we are excited about the virtual event being planned for all Rotarians worldwide. Last year’s convention attracted significant viewership during its weeklong program. This year, we will channel all we have learned about staging the very best in virtual events into a program that promises to open new opportunities for you to be entertained, enlightened and energized. We will share soon more details about the 2021 Virtual Convention.

Convention, pre-convention, and ticket refunds

We will automatically cancel and refund all existing registrations. This includes purchases made for the Rotaract and Youth Exchange and the Intercountry Committees preconvention events, and ticketed meal events. We kindly ask that you do not contact RI Registration to inquire about your registration, ticket, or housing cancellations as we work diligently to inform all attendees and process cancellations and refunds.  For those who had already canceled prior to today, you will also receive a refund of the $50 processing fee.

Host Organization Committee ticketed event registrations

 
The HOC-event ticket fees will be refunded by the Taipei HOC
 
For more information, click here.

Hotel rooms

 
If you have secured accommodations within Rotary’s official housing block, you will requite no action on your end.  Maritz, Rotary’s official housing partner, will contact you with the details of your cancelation

If you have secured a group room block and made a full or partial payment, you will receive a follow-up communication and instructions on receiving a refund.

I want to thank all Rotarians and Rotaractors around the world for your understanding and your continued willingness to learn and adapt. We are becoming a stronger, more nimble organization because of this, and our Virtual Convention will be a reflection of this new Rotary.

Please be safe and take care of each other.

Kindest regards,

Holger Knaack
President, Rotary International, 2020-'21
 
 
For comments, questions or technical issues about using the Events calendar, contact us at rotaryd7910@gmail.com.