A traveler’s convention
When you’re already traveling to the Rotary International Convention, why not add on a side trip? Members say they often double up on their travel to visit part of the world near the convention host city. And don’t miss the chance to register by 15 December before the price goes up.
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The timing of the convention in Calgary 21-25 June is just right to see an iconic Canadian event: the Calgary Stampede. Take a vacation or business trip after the convention and return to the city for the rodeo 4-13 July that celebrates the country’s West and Indigenous cultures. The Host Organization Committee curated easy-to-book getaways ranging from a one-day tour of Banff and Lake Louise in the neighboring Rockies to 12 days through the mountains to Vancouver with a train ride on the return trip to Calgary for the Stampede.
For a coastal experience, Tofino near Vancouver has surfing vibes and rugged landscapes. French-speaking members, in particular, would enjoy Québec City to see its beautiful buildings and hear the locals’ distinct take on the language. Beyond Banff, quaint towns in the Rockies with picture-postcard main streets seem endless.
Visit a famed vacation spot accessible from Calgary, like Toronto, New York City, the Grand Canyon, the Caribbean, Cancun resorts in Mexico, or Los Angeles and Disneyland. Beyond big-name tourist stops, try Oregon’s redwoods, Mexico’s Baja California Sur for ecotourism, sites that inspired Anne of Green Gables on Prince Edward Island, or the Canadian Arctic for wildlife and the midnight sun that doesn’t set. Whatever type of trip you prefer, Calgary is your gateway to North America.
This story originally appeared in the December 2024 issue of Rotary magazine.