Making new friends at the 2018 Rotary Convention

Rotary Club of North Muskoka members trekked to Toronto for the 2018 Rotary International Convention in June to join roughly 24,000 Rotarians from around the world -- including this Rotary couple (back row) from Nebraska -- in five days of fellowship, learning and inspiration. An evening at the Distillery District, a home-hosting dinner at the Toronto Lawn and Tennis Club, speeches by world leaders and more filled the agenda. Check out some of our convention photos here ...

1. Some of our club members settling in for a morning of inspirational talks and presentations at the Air Canada Centre. Guest speakers included Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former first lady Laura Bush, Justice Informed CEO Xavier Ramey, RI president Ian Riseley, UNICEF United States CEO Caryl M. Stern, as well as conflict survivors, young leaders, United Nations representatives and more:

2. Opening ceremonies for the convention at the Air Canada Centre included performing arts and aerial silks displays:

3. Hotels in the city came with greetings for convention goers:

4. We met this lovely couple (back row) from Pennsylvania while standing in line for poutine at a Distillery District event for Rotarians. What was especially neat was learning how similar our clubs and causes were, despite serving in different countries:

5. Rotary fills the Metro Toronto Convention Centre:

6. And here we are headed off to a lovely evening complete with barbecue dinner hosted by the Rotary Club of Toronto-Eglinton at the Toronto Lawn and Tennis Club: