Rotary Brings the World to New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A city already famous for its internationality and color will receive more than 19,000 Rotary club members from over 160 countries for the humanitarian service organization's annual convention. Often described as a "mini-United Nations" because of its global scope and cultural diversity, the always colorful Rotary convention is expected to inject more than $22 million into the local economy during its weeklong run at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Media and photo highlights include:

Thursday, May 19

• 7:45 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Community service project: An international team of about 14 young adults belonging to Rotaract Clubs, Rotary sponsored service clubs for young men and women ages 18 to 30, will participate in a local Habitat for Humanity project to help rebuild homes for Hurricane Katrina survivors.  Details on location will soon follow.  

Friday, May 20

• 11:15 a.m. – Cross-country motorcycle ride to end polio: More than 100 Rotary motorcyclists from across the U.S. will ride into New Orleans, exiting I-10 via Tchoupitoulas on their way to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (route: right on Tchoupitoulas Street, left on Henderson, left on Convention Center Blvd, ride to Julia Street and U-turn, come back down Convention Center Blvd) where they will park in Lot F (across from Hall G). Riders began their trip from Sacramento, Seattle, Chicago, Miami, Albany and other cities, converging Thursday in Baton Rouge in advance of their grand entrance into New Orleans.  Their goal is to raise an average of $1 per mile to eradicate the crippling disease polio – Rotary's top philanthropic goal.  A brief check presentation will take place immediately following their arrival at the convention center in room 346-347.
• 3 – 6 p.m. – Community service project: About 50 international alumni from Rotary's Ambassadorial Scholarships program will volunteer with the United Saints Recovery Project to help residents of the Central City neighborhood (2309 Dryades Street, New Orleans) repair homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina.  Rotary's Ambassadorial Scholarships program aims to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors academic year scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies.

Saturday, May 21  

• 10 a.m. - House of Friendship Exhibition Grand Opening, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Halls G-H: Hundreds of successful projects undertaken by Rotary members worldwide to address such issues as polio, malaria, poverty, hunger, illiteracy, pollution and the global water shortage will be on display 21- 25 May.
• 6:30 p.m. - An Evening of Food, Fun, Fellowship & Fins at the Aquarium of the Americas: A little over a year since the BP Oil Spill, the Louisiana Seafood Promotions & Marketing Board and Rotary has arranged for a special event at the Aquarium for Rotary members attending the convention to experience home grown seafood delicacies. Among the menu items will be 800 pounds of boiled shrimp the Louisiana Seafood Promotions & Marketing Board is providing for the evening.  

Sunday, May 22  

• 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. - Opening Ceremony, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Halls E-F: Rotary Youth Exchange high school students from around the world will present the flags of the 200 countries and regions where Rotary clubs serve their communities, followed by a keynote address by Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith.  

Monday, May 23  

• 9:30-11:40 a.m. - Katrina Revisited, Plenary Session, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Halls E-F: A look back on Rotary's role and contributions to Katrina Relief. Panelists: Kathleen Koch, former CNN reporter, Rotary scholar and author of "Rising from Katrina: How my Miss. Hometown Lost it All and Found What Matters;" Julia Reed, Newsweek contributing editor and author of "The House on First Street: My New Orleans Story;" Kathie Short, Rotary Club of Pass Christian, Miss.; Moderator: Randall Feldman, Rotary Club of New Orleans.

Tuesday, May 24  

• 4:30-5 p.m. – Plenary keynote address by Bill Gates, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Halls E-F: Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will congratulate Rotary members for their ongoing effort to raise $200 million for polio eradication. Like Rotary, Gates as made polio eradication a top priority.

Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary's global membership is approximately 1.2 million men and women who belong to more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.

To access broadcast quality video of prior Rotary International conventions, Rotary members and Bill Gates immunizing children against polio, and Rotary's Gulf Coast recovery efforts go to: http://rotary.org/mediacenter

Accredited journalists are invited to cover the Rotary convention (May 21-25) at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Media passes are required to gain access to plenary speeches (Halls E-F), and project exhibits (Halls G-H).  Accredited journalists can obtain media passes at Rotary’s Press Center (Rm 265) 504.670.7010.

SOURCE Rotary International