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Rotary brings the world to Hamburg

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More than 24,000 Rotarians are in Hamburg to Capture the Moment, make new connections, renew old ones.

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An economic and cultural hub that connects Germany to the world, Hamburg is a perfect fit for our convention. We look forward to bringing our members to the ‘Hansestadt’ — home to the first Rotary club of Germany.


RI President

More than 24,000 Rotary members from 170 countries are gathering in Hamburg, Germany, 1-5 June to attend the 110th annual Rotary International Convention. You can Capture the Moment while exchanging ideas, making new connections, and renewing old ones.

During the convention, you’ll be part of the conversation on pressing world issues like polio eradication, pollution, refugee migration, disease prevention, and literacy. You’ll be inspired to enhance your skills in areas that Rotarians value, like fellowship, integrity, diversity, service, and fellowship. Share your convention experience on social media using #Rotary19. 

But you don’t have to be in Hamburg to Capture the Moment. Follow all of our convention coverage — photos, videos, social media posts, speeches, and more — as the action happens. You can even stream the general sessions and key breakout sessions, either as they happen or at a later time.

Our coverage:

  1. Convention Minute:

    A recap of the day and preview of tomorrow

  2. Convention news:

    Updates from Rotary’s largest event of the year and its impact on the region and world

  3. Videos:

    Experience the excitement happening at Hamburg Messe and around the city

  4. Photos:

    A daily look at the convention in photos

  5. Speeches & reports:

    Browse speeches and reports as they become available

  6. Profiles of action:

    Inspiring profiles of convention participants 

Highlights of the week

  1. Hamburg on the Move. 07:00-10:00 on Saturday, 1 June. Take part in a bike tour or a 3K walk through beautiful city streets to raise awareness for Rotary’s fight against polio. Find out more about this Host Organization Committee ticketed event.

  2. Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, founder and medical director of Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 09:00-10:15 on Friday, 31 May, at the Rotary Peace Symposium.

  3. Steve Killelea, founder and executive chair of the Institute for Economics and Peace. 14:30-16:00 on Friday, 31 May, at the Rotary Peace Symposium.

  4. Opening ceremony, First seating: 10:30-12:30, second seating: 15:30-17:30, on Sunday, 2 June. Among the speakers will be Peter Tschentscher, first mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.

  5. House of Friendship grand opening. 12:00-12:30 on Saturday, 1 June. Visit to share ideas, learn best practices, and see project success stories. (The House of Friendship will be open 09:00-18:00 Saturday, 1 June, through Tuesday, 4 June, and 09:00-16:00 Wednesday, 5 June.)

  6. Pia Skarabis-Querfeld, chair of the board of Medizin Hilft. General Session 2, 10:00-12:00 on Monday, 3 June. 

  7. Music in the Elbe Philharmonic Hall. A one-hour concert performed by the German Rotary orchestra in Hamburg’s famous new landmark, known for its acoustics and architecture. 17:30 and 20:30 on Monday, 3 June. Find out more about this Host Organization Committee ticketed event. 

  8. Organ recital at Hauptkirche St. Petri, featuring famous organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach, 19:00 on Monday, 3 June, and Tuesday, 4 June. Find out more about side events organized by host Rotarians, Rotary districts, Rotary Fellowships, and other Rotary groups.