Program/venue

Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015 USA
+1-213-741-1151
www.lacclink.com

Rotarians can bask in the abundant California sunshine that streams into the lobbies and concourse of the award-winning Los Angeles Convention Center. This architectural feat of glass and steel offers 720,000 square feet of exhibit space, an Internet-ready business center, and fine dining. A short distance from many hotels and across the street from the Staples Center, the convention center is the site of

• Registration services
• Plenary sessions
• House of Friendship and exhibits
• Workshops and luncheons
• Commemorative service project

The International Institute and the Rotaract and Youth Exchange preconvention meetings will also be held at the convention center.

Notable convention speakers and performers

Dr. Margaret Chan
As director-general of the World Health Organization, Dr. Margaret Chan will talk about future steps to eliminate polio. Her presentation will be during the plenary session on Tuesday, 17 June. 

Natalie Cole
Eight-time Grammy Award-winning singer Natalie Cole, daughter of icon Nat "King" Cole, will appear at the new NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE as a part of the "California Experience" event put together by local Rotarians on the Host Organization Committee.

Dr. Julie L. Gerberding
In 1998, Dr. Julie L. Gerberding joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the public health agency for the United States, and was acting deputy director of the National Center for Infectious Diseases in 2001. In 2002, Dr. Gerberding was named director of the CDC and Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Michael Josephson
One of the most respected ethicists in the United States, Michael Josephson developed the nation’s most widely used character-education program, CHARACTER COUNTS! He is the founder of the nonprofit Josephson Institute of Ethics, through which he has conducted more than 1,000 programs for more than 100,000 leaders across nearly every spectrum of society.

One of the most respected ethicists in the United States, Michael Josephson developed the nation’s most widely used character-education program, CHARACTER COUNTS! He is the founder of the nonprofit Josephson Institute of Ethics, through which he has conducted more than 1,000 programs for more than 100,000 leaders across nearly every spectrum of society.

Philip Lader
Philip Lader was U.S. ambassador to the Court of St. James (the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) from 1997 to 2001. In 2007, Ambassador Lader received the Rotary International Global Service to Humanity Award.

Stephen Lewis
Formerly the special envoy to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Stephen Lewis is co-director of AIDS-Free World , a new international AIDS advocacy organization, based in the United States.

Steve Tyrell
Opening for Natalie Cole is Grammy Award-winning vocalist Steve Tyrell. He has achieved great success as an artist, producer, songwriter, music supervisor, and performer. His work in the studio has included collaborations with such diverse and legendary artists as Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Burt Bacharach, Bette Midler, and Stevie Wonder just to name a few.

2008 RI Convention preliminary program

Program correct as of 11 June 2008. All events are subject to change.

Wednesday, 11 June

• 1600-2200 2008 International RYLA (by invitation only)

Thursday, 12 June

• 0800-2200 2008 International RYLA (by invitation only)
• 0900-1700 Rotaract meeting registration
• 0900-1730 Preconvention registration/ticket sales 
• Youth Exchange Officers meeting registration
• 1300-1730 Rotaract preconvention meeting
• 1400-1700 Youth Exchange officers preconvention meeting
• 1500-1900 International Institute registration
• 1730-1900 International Institute welcome reception
• 1900-2100 Youth Exchange officers preconvention meeting welcome reception

Friday, 13 June

• 0800-1800 Registration/ticket sales/credentialing/host gift bags
• 0800-2200 2008 International RYLA (by invitation only)
• 0900-1700 International Institute
• 0900-1700 Rotaract preconvention meeting
• 0830-1730 Youth Exchange officers preconvention meeting
• 1200-1400 International Institute luncheon (RI-ticketed event)
• 1300-1700 Global Alliance of Rotary Foundation alumni meeting
• 1430-1745 Rotary alumni celebration
• 1800-1900 Rotary alumni celebration reception 
• 1900-2200 International Institute dinner
• 1900-2130 Youth Exchange officers banquet (RI-ticketed event)

Saturday, 14 June

• 0800-2000 Registration/ticket sales/credentialing
• 0800-2200 2008 International RYLA (by invitation only)
• 0900-1200 Global Alliance of Rotary Foundation Alumni Meeting
• International Institute
• 0900-1200 Rotaract preconvention meeting
• 0830-1200 Youth Exchange officers meeting
• 0930-1030 Orientation for first-time convention attendees
• 1000-2000 House of Friendship
• 1330-1400 Grand opening of House of Friendship
• 1400-1500 Orientation for first-time convention attendees
• 1600-1730 “Meet the Rotary Stars” reception (RI-ticketed event)
• 1730-2130 The California Experience – LA Live and Nokia Theatre (host-ticketed event)

Sunday, 15 June

• 0800-2000 Registration/ticket sales/credentialing/host gift bags
• 0900-2000 House of Friendship
• 0900-1000 Interfaith service
• 1230-1500 Opening Plenary Session (first seating)
• 1600-1730 Paul Harris Fellows Reception (RI-ticketed event)
• 1630-1900 Opening Plenary Session (second seating)

Monday, 16 June

• 0800-1800 Registration/ticket sales/credentialing/host gift bags
• 0900-2000 House of Friendship
• 0930-1145 Second Plenary Session
• 1200-1330 “Celebrating the Past of Rotary -- Share the Magic” Luncheon (RI-ticketed event)
• 1330-1430 Interactive discussion groups/workshops*
• 1500-1600 Interactive discussion groups/workshops
• 1700-2200 International Family Reunion — Host Hospitality (host-ticketed event)

Tuesday, 17 June

• 0800-1800 Registration/ticket sales/credentialing/host gift bags
• 0900-2000 House of Friendship
• 0930-1145 Third Plenary Session
• 1200-1330 “Rotary Today” Luncheon (RI-ticketed event)
• 1330-1430 Interactive discussion groups/workshops*
• 1500-1600 Interactive discussion groups/workshops
• 1530-2330 Concert Under the Stars (Hollywood Bowl) (host-ticketed event)

Wednesday, 18 June

• 0800-1600 Registration/ticket sales/credentialing/host gift bags
• 0900-2000 House of Friendship
• 0930-1200 Fourth Plenary Session
• 1200-1400 “Rotary Tomorrow” Luncheon (RI-ticketed event)
• 1330-1500 Interactive discussion groups/workshops*
• 1530-1800 Closing Plenary Session

* Topics will include membership, The Rotary Foundation, literacy, water management, health and hunger, and the family of Rotary.