The 2024 Rotary International Convention from May 25-29, 2024, was the largest association event held in Singapore since the pandemic. With over 14,000 attendees, meticulous planning, coordination, and on-site management were essential to ensure a meaningful experience, aligning with Rotary's commitment to making the world a better place for all
Event brief
Rotary holds its international convention in a different city every year, where Singapore won the bid for the 2024 event in 2017. Post-pandemic, Rotary International and Rotary Club of Singapore, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board, and many partners, ensured the event’s success.
“Rotary conventions are about bringing people together to create meaningful connections and to inspire each other to help create a more healthy, hopeful, and peaceful world,” explained Gordon McInally, Rotary International president.
At the annual convention, members connect and learn from one another and a range of experts on how to take action to address pressing issues in their communities.
The size and scale of the event meant it occupied the entire Sands Expo and Convention Centre, from the six basement exhibition halls to the Grand Ballroom on Level 5.
Event highlights
The convention brought together 14,660 Rotary members and participants from 151 countries, the geographical diversity reflective of Rotary’s international network, often called a “mini-United Nations”. This was evident at the opening ceremony, where many attendees proudly donned national dresses and ethnic costumes.
About 97 per cent of attendees were from overseas, with the largest delegations coming from Japan, the US and Taiwan.
The programme featured four general sessions and 80 breakout sessions spread across 14 meeting rooms. Meanwhile, the House of Friendship exhibition occupied three halls, displaying causes supported by Rotary such as polio eradication, mental health, clean water and various United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Rotary clubs and community partners showcased their projects and achievements, while some sought financial and social media support. The Peace Park drew many visitors to its talks and interactive exhibits, as did the 360-degree video dome featuring Rotary and UNICEF projects.
Web-based simultaneous interpretation enabled attendees to follow sessions in more than seven different languages through their smartphones.
Entertainment included international performers, dine-arounds and cultural experiences organised by the Singapore Host Organisation Committee. One night of the GastroBeats Festival was also specially reserved for Rotary delegates.
Beyond the main event, foreign participants could take pre- and post-tours to see more of Singapore and the region.
“A popular local tour choice was the ethnic quarters and visiting the Urban Redevelopment Authority City Gallery to better understand how our city-state was developed. In South-east Asia, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia were popular (destinations),” said Jimmy Ooi, director of ISE Travel, one of the appointed tour operators.
Challenges
A major concern was logistics, given the sheer numbers of the group. To accommodate attendees safely and comfortably at the opening session, Rotary split them into two groups, with half attending the morning session and the others in the afternoon.
An indoor convention venue lacks an arena’s many entrances. Organisers and staff deftly streamed delegates up escalators from the ground floor through Level 4 meeting rooms for security checks before heading another level up to the Grand Ballroom.
More than 600 Rotary Singapore volunteers were deployed at Changi Airport, Bayfront MRT station, hotels and throughout the venue to ensure the smooth flow of people, prevent overcrowding, and provide guidance or information.
Unlike other mega events, there was no official airline. However, with Singapore being an international hub, many African and European attendees were able to fly in via the Middle East.
To avoid traffic congestion and pollution, Rotary distributed EZLink cards to over 13,000 participants to encourage the use of public transport. Coaches were supplied on only four routes, to Sentosa and hotel clusters away from train stations.
Hotel accommodation was also expected to be costly and tight. More than 17,400 room nights were booked through the Maritz housing bureau, but some delegations booked directly with hotels or through wholesalers and OTAs.
Working with Sands, Rotary minimised the use of printed materials through digital signage. Water dispensers were provided in high-traffic areas, thus eliminating plastic bottles. Sands also reduced food wastage.
“Singapore met our convention host criteria in terms of sustainability requirements. Sands Expo met and surpassed our environment focus for the convention,” said Jennifer Scott, chair of the 2024 International Convention Committee.
Event Rotary International Convention 2024
Organiser Rotary International
Venue Sands Expo and Convention Centre
Date May 25-29, 2024
Attendance 14,660 participants from 151 countries
