General questions
When and where are the Rotary International Convention and preconvention events?
Convention
4-8 June 2022
Preconvention events
- Rotaract Preconvention: 3-4 June
- Youth Exchange Officers Preconvention: 3-4 June
- Rotary Presidential Conference Houston Serve to Bring Peace: 3-4 June
- Youth Exchange Officers Banquet: 3 June
Convention Centre
George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB), 1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, Texas 77010 (see program for details).
Who can attend the Rotary International Convention?
Registration is open to anyone interested in Rotary. See registration fees for this year’s age-based registration rates.
Are interpretation services available at the convention?
Rotary provides interpretation in several languages for the opening ceremony, general sessions, and closing ceremony. Most breakout sessions are conducted in English but some may also be offered in other languages. Refer to your program book to see which sessions are available in your language.
What is the temperature in Houston in June?
In June, average temperatures range from 76 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 32 degrees Celsius).
Because the venue is air-conditioned in certain areas, you may wish to bring a light jacket or sweater.
Registration
What are the registration fees?
See a full table of registration fees, registrant types, and what your registration includes.
What is the cancellation policy?
Per the January 2016 RI Board of Directors decision, a $50 processing fee now applies to each registrant who cancels on a registration. Requests to cancel registrants or Rotary-ticketed events must be received in writing by 30 April 2022. Registrants who cancel after the deadline will not receive a refund. In cases of force majeure, refund requests will be considered on a case by case basis, and all approved refunds will be minus a $50 processing fee. Registration fees and ticketed event fees will not be refunded on requests received after 30 April, unless they are due to a visa denial. Cancellations caused by visa denial must be received in writing by 8 June 2022.
- Cancel online (preferred method)
- Cancel by email: ri.registration@rotary.org
- Cancel by fax: +1-847-556-2194
Can I switch my Opening Ceremony assignment?
Assignments for the Opening Ceremony are based on order of registration. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept requests for specific assignment. However, if you want to attend a seating other than the one to which you are assigned, you can do so subject to seating availability.
Housing and transportation
How do I reserve a hotel room?
You can get the best value in Houston by booking your hotel through Maritz Global Events, Rotary’s official housing partner.
To reserve your hotel online, visit Rotary’s official hotel reservation site by 11 May 2022 (availability is limited after this date). To reserve your hotel by phone, call +1-864-699-5084. Reservations are not accepted by email.
How do I change my hotel reservation, such as my arrival or departure date?
You can change your reservation by going to Rotary’s officia hotel reservation site, Maritz Global Events. Select “Attendee” or “Group Attendee,” and then “Edit Existing Reservation.” Enter your email address and the password you created when you booked your reservation.
You can also change your reservation by contacting rotary@maritz.com or calling +1-847-699-5084.
What hotels are available, and what are the rates?
For the most recent list of available hotels, visit Rotary’s official hotel reservation site, Maritz Global Events. Hotel availability is constantly changing in real time and preferred hotel(s) cannot be guaranteed. However, we encourage you to reserve your second hotel choice within the Rotary official hotel block and utilize our wait list option. Please reserve a room at your second-choice hotel and then contact Maritz Global Events to be placed on a wait list for your first choice. Note, a confirmed reservation is required before you may be placed on a wait list for a different hotel. If your preferred hotel becomes available, Maritz will automatically update your reservation and send a new confirmation.
Do I need to pay a deposit for my room?
No, but you’ll be asked to provide credit card details to guarantee your reservation. The credit card must be valid through July 2022, and your credit card information will be sent to the hotel with your reservation details in May. Reservations cannot be guaranteed without a credit card.
Group bookings of 15 or more rooms have a separate deposit policy. Please see our group housing guidelines for details.
How do I cancel my reservation?
You can cancel your reservation by going to Rotary’s official hotel reservation site, Maritz Global Events. Select “Attendee” or “Group Attendee,” click the “Edit Existing Reservation” button, and enter your email address and the password you created when you booked your reservation. Then select the “Cancel Room” icon.
You can also cancel your reservation by emailing rotary@maritz.com.
How far from the convention center is my hotel?
You can find a map and a list of hotels on Rotary’s official hotel reservation site, Maritz Global Events. Choose “Attendee,” and view the map at the bottom or side of the page. Select the “List View” tab to find your hotel’s distance from the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Why can’t I add more people to my room reservation?
Most rooms in Houston have a maximum occupancy of two adults per room. If you need to reserve a room for more than two adults, you can search hotels by setting the guest/room section of the hotel reservation site to the number of guests occupying the room. As an alternative, you can book an additional room to accommodate your needs.
Transportation
What transportation is being provided?
Rotary will be providing shuttle service, including mobility assistance/ADA service, between the official Rotary-contracted hotels and the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Are there other ways to get around?
Houston has a public transportation system, called the Metro, which includes buses and rail. Taxis and rideshare (including Uber and Lyft) are also available.
Travel
How do I obtain a visa for travel to the convention?
Go to the U.S. Department of State travel website to find out who needs a visa, when to apply, and more. Visa information varies depending on your country of citizenship. Rotary International provides an updated list of convention registrants to consulates and embassies and requests that as many registrants as possible be granted visas, but whether or not to grant a visa is ultimately up to the United States government. Rotary International is unable to intervene on behalf of individual registrants.
Events
What events can I attend at the convention?
The convention registration fee includes:
Opening ceremony: 5 June
General sessions: 6-8 June
Breakout sessions: 6-8 June
Closing ceremony: 8 June
House of Friendship: 4-8 June
You can buy tickets for:
Rotary-ticketed events. These typically take place at the convention venue, either before or during the convention.
Host-ticketed events These generally take place away from the convention venue.
Are tours of Houston available?
Check the Host Organization Committee’s site for tours and ticket availability.