16,000 Rotary members and participants from 140 countries registered for the service organization’s international convention in Calgary
CALGARY (25 June 2025) – As Rotary’s international convention in Calgary draws to a close, Rotary members and participants from over 140 countries will bring home indelible memories, renewed connections, and an inspired sense of purpose for helping to create a healthier and more peaceful world.
Often described by attendees as a “mini-United Nations”, the convention served as a hub for Rotary members and participants to connect and learn from each other and a range of experts on how to take action to address issues in their communities.
Welcomed by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek and further inspired by Academy Award-winning actor Geena Davis and many others – issues addressed ranged from gender parity, children’s education, artificial intelligence, preventing and treating cervical cancer, ending polio, and furthering world peace and understanding.
“The world right now can feel divided,” said Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick. “But Rotary brings together people from every corner of the globe, not to erase our differences, but to celebrate them. That’s how we spread peace, because peace is more than the absence of conflict: It’s the presence of understanding.”
This week, Rotary announced the extension of its joint commitment of up to US$450 million with the Gates Foundation to end polio, a Rotary-led peacebuilding program to help strengthen communities affected by conflict in Colombia, and a partnership with Symbiosis International University to establish a Rotary Peace Center in India.
As the largest event yet to be held at the newly expanded BMO Centre, more than 240 booths showcased Rotary club humanitarian projects, Rotary’s global initiatives, partners, and vendors in a space of 30,000+ net square feet. The convention is expected to account for more than 30,000 hotel room nights, inject $81 million CAD to the local economy, and drive significant business for Calgary’s hotels, restaurants, retailers, and tourism attractions.
Organized by Rotary International in conjunction with local Rotary members, the event presents an opportunity to showcase Calgary's growing tech and creative sectors, diverse cultural representation and the gateway to the majestic Canadian Rockies. The Rotary International Convention in Calgary is supported by Tourism Calgary, The City of Calgary, the Calgary Hotel Association, Calgary Stampede, BMO Centre, Scotiabank Saddledome, and Rotary members in Calgary and from Alberta, across Canada, and around the world.
Rotary members throughout the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, help mothers and children, grow local economies and protect the environment. Over US $5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation to support these and other programs worldwide over the last 100 years.
For media inquiries:
Calgary: Sydney Boll: │Mobile: + 1 403-479-8796 | sboll@national.ca
USA: Vivian Fiore: vivian.fiore@rotary.org
About Rotary:
Rotary connects 1.2 million people of action from more than 45,000 Rotary clubs in almost every country in the world: including approximately 3,000 members in more than 100 clubs in Alberta and more than 20,000 members in over 750 clubs across Canada. Their service improves lives both locally and internationally, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit Rotary.org.
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