Latest news with #RotaryInternationalConvention
RTÉ News
23 minutes ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Dublin on shortlist for Rotary International Convention
Dublin has been confirmed as a finalist among a pool of four cities to host the Rotary International Convention in 2029 or 2031. If Rotary Ireland's bid is successful, the event could bring up to 20,000 visitors to Dublin. Dublin's rivals for the convention, which attracts visitors from up to 200 countries, include Barcelona, Cairo and New Delhi. The decision to provisionally nominate two cities to host the convention in 2029 and 2031 will be made in January by Rotary International's Board of Directors. Rotary Ireland District Governor Seamus Parle said the economic benefits of the convention would not be confined to Dublin, with thousands of visitors likely to combine their trip to the convention with a holiday and a longer visit to Ireland. "If our bid is successful, it will provide a huge boost to the local economy with an average of 20,000 to 30,000 hotel room nights with knock on support for bars, restaurants, retailers and tourism," Mr Parle said. "After the convention concludes we know most attendees will stay in Ireland for a holiday and visit the many attractions Ireland has to offer. This will generate substantial economic benefits for the country as a whole," he added. Rotary Ireland's bid is being supported by Fáilte Ireland's Dublin Convention Bureau. Seamus Parle said members are working extremely hard with the business community and other state agencies to secure funds through sponsorships to offset the running costs of the event, particularly the venue, which will be the RDS. "We would dearly love to host Rotary International's 119th convention in 2029 or its 121st convention in 2031. While Rotary Ireland has a very proud history of service - Dublin Rotary Club, which dates back to 1911, was the first to be established outside of North America - we have never actually hosted the International Rotary Convention," he said. Conventions run for five days and include workshop, forums, breakout sessions, and entertainment. Speakers at previous conventions have included UN General Secretary General António Guterres, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Rotary Ireland has 67 clubs and 1,500 members all over the island of Ireland. The organisation brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges and creating lasting change. It connects 1.2 million people of action from more than 45,000 Rotary clubs in almost every country in the world.
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Opinion: Waterton-Glacier Peace Park a reminder of goodwill between nations
In the weeks ahead, you will hear more about the Rotary International Convention coming to Calgary from June 21 to 25. Up to 20,000 Rotarians from around the world will descend on our city. Article content Article content Given the current times, several Rotary members thought it would be appropriate for Calgarians to learn more about a peace initiative with our friends in the United States that was conceived, promoted, and nurtured to this day by Rotarians on both sides of the border. Article content Article content It all began when a group of Rotarians from Cardston invited fellow Rotarians to a goodwill meeting at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park in July 1931. More than 100 Rotarians from Montana, Saskatchewan and Alberta attended. Article content Article content There was a consensus to advocate for the creation of an international peace park that would encompass both Waterton and Glacier national parks. It was resolved, 'that the proper authorities be petitioned to commence negotiations to establish the two parks indicated as a permanent International Peace Park, which will be definitely set aside for this laudable purpose, pledging our loyalty and allegiance to foster all international relationships.' Article content Canadian and American Rotarians reached out to their respective federal governments and, in the days when things could get done expeditiously, the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park — the first of its kind — was commemorated on June 18, 1932. Article content Article content It's worth noting the words of leaders of the day. Article content Prime minister R.B. Bennett said, 'It is my earnest hope that this great International Peace Park stretching across our common frontier and in which citizens of both our countries may seek recreation, may forever remain a permanent memorial of all that neighbourly relations should be between adjoining nations.' Article content Said U.S. president Herbert Hoover: 'Dedication of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is a full gesture of the goodwill that has so long blessed our relations with our Canadian neighbours, and I am gratified by the hope and the faith that it will forever be an appropriate symbol of permanent peace and friendship.' Article content The peace park combines the 525-square-kilometre Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada with the 4,144-square-km Glacier National Park in the U.S. The arrangement allows both national parks to operate as separate entities under the peace park mantle. Thereafter, the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Association was created to perpetuate the message of peace and goodwill inspired by this monumental achievement.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HTA personnel woes put $100M Hawai‘i Convention Center project at risk
The planned closure of the Hawai 'i Convention Center in 2026 and 2027 for $100 million worth of repairs could extend even longer, putting the state at risk of losing even more millions of dollars in group tourism bookings if a new project manager is not promptly found. Isaac Choy, HTA vice president of finance and acting chief administrative officer, who had been managing the project, was put on unpaid leave May 9 at the direction of the state Department of the Attorney General and the Department of Human Resources amid allegations he made racist and sexist remarks on the job. Choy, a former state tax director and lawmaker who was elected to five terms in the House of Representatives serving the Manoa district from 2008 through 2018, joined HTA in 2023. He has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them false and retaliatory. He said in an email to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that the Department of the Attorney General has acknowledged him as a 'whistleblower ' who was working with the department, staff, other public bodies and the Legislature to report and resolve violations or suspected violations of law, rule or regulations and contracts executed by HTA. When queried about the attorney general's involvement or Choy's designation as a whistleblower, Toni Schwartz, spokesperson for the Department of the Attorney General, said in an email that the department 'will not make statements on the existence or status of possible pending investigations.' Teri Orton, Hawai 'i Convention Center general manager, asked members of the HTA Budget, Finance and Convention Center Standing Committee during a meeting Wednesday to find a way to put Choy back on the project, perhaps as a contractor, since the center is well into the planning phase to repair a leaky rooftop terrace deck and address other deferred maintenance such as the center's elevators. Orton told committee members the center already has relocated six of its largest citywide events in 2026 and 12 in 2027. The economic loss alone from Rotary International Convention, which Honolulu had planned to host June 5-9, 2027, is estimated at more than $35 million based on estimates from Rotary's 2020 convention, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 'We are pressed to start and finish this construction project within that time frame. We absolutely cannot let this project run behind schedule into 2028 because it will mean we will have to relocate additional business (and ) we have put out our word on the line, ' Orton said. 'This is a sense of urgency and a plea to everyone in this committee that we find someone to spearhead this project, ' she said. 'We are so late in the game in the planning process for this project that to bring anyone in at this point other than Isaac is going to be a huge undertaking in bringing this person up to speed. We have $100 million in projects in two years.' Caroline Anderson, HTA director of planning and interim HTA president and CEO, told the Star-Advertiser on Friday that the agency had sent the state Department of Accounting and General Services a request for proposals and the current contracts to review. 'I am meeting with them next week to get their assistance. They know how important this project is for the state, ' Anderson said. James Kunane Tokioka, director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, estimated at the HTA Budget, Finance and Convention Center committee meeting Wednesday that it would cost more than $561, 000 to hire outside professional services if other state agencies cannot provide a project manager to take over Choy's duties at the center. One reason HTA is having difficulty finding a project manager from within its staff is that the agency has multiple vacancies, and many HTA staff members including Anderson already are working multiple jobs or do not have the necessary skills to oversee a large-scale construction project. To be sure, State Sen. Kurt Fevella (R, Ewa Beach ), HTA contractors, former HTA employees and some board members alleged in a May 4 that HTA and DBEDT failed to respond promptly to complaints about a hostile work environment, including alleged racist and sexist comments, that they claim contributed to the recent resignations of five Native Hawaiian members of HTA's leadership team. First 90 days The convention center threat is just the latest challenge Anderson has had to steer HTA through as she embarks on a 90-day action plan to shore up the state's top tourism agency following its latest major leadership scramble. Daniel Naho 'opi 'i, HTA's last interim president and CEO, abruptly resigned March 21 after just 18 months on the job. His resignation letter to the HTA board characterized the work environment as 'toxic ' and fraught with power struggles. Anderson is working closely with HTA Board Chair Todd Apo, who assumed the role March 27. Apo replaced Mufi Hanne mann, who stayed on the HTA board but resigned as chair following blowback from a recent state financial audit. Anderson told the HTA board during a May 1 meeting that she plans in the next 90 days to focus on stabilizing the agency's leadership and organizational structure and strengthening strategic communication. She also aims to improve the HTA board by defining roles and duties, establishing intraboard relations and board and staff relations, consolidating board committees and identifying necessary and beneficial board training. Anderson said the plan's goals include achieving a collaborative and cohesive team that communicates and coordinates efforts and works together efficiently ; reducing overdue invoices by 100 % and identifying other outstanding contractor issues ; reviewing and updating HTA policies and procedures ; and improving board work and efficiencies. She also set a goal by July 1 to fill several key staff leadership vacancies, including a public affairs officer, brand manager for the stewardship team and chief stewardship officer. Anderson said she wants to prioritize effective tourism policy development by setting clear direction while empowering staff to implement its annual Strategic Tourism Management Plan, which she said is due around November along with the next round of Destination Management Action Plans, or DMAPS, the community-driven tourism management plans for each island. It's been a challenging start. Some HTA board members already are pushing to evaluate Anderson's performance in her new role and for her to complete other employee evaluations by June. Increased scrutiny Since 2002, the state Office of the Auditor has conducted five management and financial audits of HTA, and the latest released this month was as unfavorable as the last four. 'HTA's lack of accountability, lack of measurable results, and lack of tracking of progress have been recurring themes in past audits by the Office of the Auditor, ' the audit read. 'HTA's inability to demonstrate its effectiveness undermines its credibility with the public and policymakers, as well as its ability to effectively make data-driven decisions and allocate.' The latest audit called HTA's destination management efforts 'not new or effective, ' and said action plans for each island were 'poorly planned and executed ' and that many of the efforts 'did not address hot spots.' Anderson said that prior to the state audit, HTA had conducted an internal audit and since then has been 'putting more metrics, milestones, targets into not only DMAPs, but also our strategic plan as well.' HTA entered this legislative session in a better place with a $63 million recurring budget and no threat of dissolution after years of struggles. Last year, state lawmakers tightened oversight of HTA by removing its exemption from the administrative supervision of boards and commissions, which put DBEDT in the driver's seat when it went into effect July 1. The exemption was its last after the Legislature took away its procurement exemption in 2021, and in 2022 the agency lost its special fund status. However, this year state lawmakers moved swiftly to pass Senate Bill 1571, which if signed by Gov. Josh Green will change HTA's governance model and tighten oversight of the agency. They were reacting to a state financial audit of HTA, which was conducted by Accuity LLP and released in late March, that determined procedural deficiencies allowed for inappropriate freebies at the Hawai 'i Convention Center. Apo told the HTA Administrative and Audit Standing Committee on April 7 that based on input from HTA staff that he did not 'see an abuse of discretion ' and recommended putting the matter 'to bed.' John Cole, state deputy attorney general, told the Star-Advertiser that the matter had been referred to the Department of the Attorney General, but it was determined there was not enough information to open an investigation. The Department of the Attorney General has declined to provide status updates ; however, it has been directed by Green to review the Choy matter. It also has been asked by HTA to determine whether the agency must pay $780, 000 in interest for millions of dollars in to its largest contractor, the Hawai 'i Visitors &Convention Bureau. On Friday, HVCB said it was still due $3.8 million in unpaid invoices, down from the more than $11 million in back payments it was owed by HTA some months ago.
Calgary Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Japanese diplomats challenged to find G7 accommodation in busy southern Alberta
Finding enough rooms at the inn is proving no mean feat for Japanese government officials set to attend the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis next month. Article content Article content The Asian country's foreign affairs staff are almost certainly not alone in scrambling to find suitable lodging in a Calgary region that'll also be hosting about 20,000 Rotary International Convention delegates immediately after the June 15-17 G7 gathering. Article content Article content Both are happening just as the summer tourism season in the Calgary-Banff region begins and shortly before the July 4-13 Calgary Stampede Article content Article content His office said the demand for rooms in the mountains is so great, some of the officials' accommodation is being sought in an also soon-to-be busy Calgary. Article content In the past few days, Suguru Hayashida's been making the rounds in Banff, Canmore and Kananaskis to size up the venues, accommodations and logistical challenges facing his country's delegation that will include 200 government officials. Article content Another 100 Japanese journalists based in their home country and elsewhere will also converge on Banff-Kananaskis for G7, he said. Article content 'You have to make sure there's lots of back-up contingencies in case things change,' said Hayashida, a native of Nagasaki who's been stationed in Ottawa for the past 2-1/2 years. Article content Article content But the diplomat said he's been impressed with those in the hospitality sector in Calgary and the mountains to the west. Article content 'People are so kind and open-minded, it's well-organized' said Hayashida, adding the majestic mountain setting for the gathering of leaders of the U.K., Germany, Italy, France, the U.S., Japan and host Canada is ideal. Article content 'It's perfect from the point of view of security, it's very quiet and (its beauty) is one of the most important elements as an ice breaker (for delegates) and for a fresh mind,' he said. Article content Having visited the Canadian Rockies before on a family vacation, Hayashida said he was happy to hear the 2025 G7 would be held in Kananaskis. Article content But the summit's idyllic setting will be subjected to a tight security cordon, with area surrounding Kananaskis Village blocked off to all except those permitted to enter the security zone.
Calgary Herald
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
New Calgary police chief sworn in as two deputy chiefs depart
Just as a new Calgary police chief was sworn in Wednesday, two deputy chiefs left the service. Article content Article content The changes come just five days after the abrupt, unexplained departure of six-year chief Mark Neufeld, leaving his successor Katie McLellan to assure Calgarians all was well with the city's police service. Article content And they happen just as the CPS is tasked with handling some of the security for the G7 Summit in Kananaskis and a massive influx of delegates for the Rotary International Convention in Calgary — both being held next month. Article content Article content 'I know this change is sudden and . . . I want to assure everyone in this city the CPS is dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition of leadership,' said McLellan, who has been with the service since 1986. Article content Article content 'I am honoured, privileged and humbled to be selected for this role . . . we are in safe and steady hands.' Article content The new chief dubbed her role an interim one but made clear she will remain chief indefinitely and that there is no process underway to find a new top cop. Article content She spent the first 13 years of her career working in front-line areas and her most recent role was with leading CPS's investigative support bureau. Article content McLellan also told reporters deputy chiefs Chad Tawfik and Raj Gill have retired after lengthy stints of service with CPS. Article content She also wouldn't explain the exit of Neufeld — who had two years remaining on his contract — saying it was a confidential personnel matter. Article content Article content McLellan acknowledged morale has long been a problem within CPS. Internal surveys have shown one of the more concerning responses among rank-and-file is a lack of confidence in senior leadership. Article content 'Things like that don't change overnight,' she said. Article content 'We'll continue to listen and learn.' Article content A report released last October that included an internal survey shows small improvements in employee engagement and morale in recent years, with results suggesting concerns about staffing levels and inappropriate conduct have been top of mind for many CPS employees. Article content According to the report, the issue of inadequate staffing was a major concern of both CPS employees and Calgarians. Six out of 10 Calgarians were in low agreement that CPS was adequately staffed this year — an all-time low, the report says. More than 80 per cent of CPS employees agreed.
