"Folks (that's us!)
It is indeed exciting that Melbourne will host the 2023 RI Convention. And it is appropriate that we had fireworks and a public holiday across the country this weekend to celebrate!
The transition from the Bid Team to the local Host Organisation Committee is well underway. The HOC has representation from each of the 5 local Districts and that group will be working with you on all manner of items to achieve the best possible Convention we can muster. The HOC will also be working in partnership with professional event managers based in RI headquarters in Evanston, USA plus an International Convention Committee. While we play an important local hosting role, it is a Rotary International event that we are supporting.
In the meantime, we now have an agreed plan between Melbourne Convention Bureau, the Rotary Bid Team and our RI colleagues in Evanston regarding the roll out of announcements.Our strategy is to have three different releases as outlined below which will be variations of the same core message dependant on the audience:
Version 1 – Local Rotarians
This message is designed to inform our local Rotarians through various Districts of the news. A copy of that News Release and shorter News Bite are attached suitable for multiple distribution channels (eg websites, eBulletins, Facebook, etc). We encourage you to distribute these messages to your constituency in the manner that best suits your District. There is a capacity to customise the messages for “local colour” and your own endorsement but we ask that the main themes are maintained for consistency. Similar material will also be distributed through broad channels eg RDU, the Rotary Australia website, etc.
Version 2 - MCB Partners
This release will be distributed to Melbourne Convention Bureau’s partners, many of whom supported us through the Bid process. This will also alert the hotels who have participated in the room block of the outcome. It is important to highlight MCBs fantastic achievement to “the Industry” including those who provide theraison detr’e and funding for MCB. Rotary also salutes the contribution made by MCB.
Version 3 - General Public Release
The final version will be released to local government and mainstream media to inform the public that we are looking forward to welcoming the Convention in 2023. Again, it is important to highlight the fantastic support provided by the State Government (and other agencies). Plus we believe we will get greater publicity value and ongoing support if the Premier or Tourism Minister issues the Press Release. Jason Balkin is working with Government and RI colleagues in Evanston on those details, but the themes will be similar to current material. The general public release will be timed strategically with other news events.
What happens Next?
1. It will be great if you could distribute these News Releases throughout your Districts with your own endorsements.
2. The HOC members include many Past District Governors and event specialists. Barry Thompson (Interim Chair and past Chair of the 2014 Sydney RI Convection), Murray Verso and Dennis Shore (Rotary Foundation), David Anderson, Tony Monley, Neville John, Don Ripper and Stephen Lamont (5 Districts), Peter Jones and Hugh Bucknall (RC Melbourne). That group will be expanded in time with extra talent, broader experience and fresh ideas to take on a very large task. The phrase “Be careful what you wish for” now has new meaning!
3. A booth is planned for the Multi District Conference in February and D9780 Conference in March. Several HOC members will be on hand to present information and answer questions so that we can start the recruitment of volunteers. We plan to have the video used for our Bid, handouts and expression of interest forms for volunteers. Several folk are already stepping forward to be part of the action.
4. The HOC will be meeting with the RI Conference organisers based in Evanston in March for more detailed planning. The folk in Evanston are highly professional and there is no doubt we will create the best possible Convention that we can.
I think this is the last you will hear from the Bid Team and future communication is likely to come from the HOC. It is also appropriate to say how much your support has helped us win this Bid – the strength and breadth of local support was one of our “points of difference” and you folk delivered in spades. I know that I speak for our superman partner, Jason Balkin from the Melbourne Convention Bureau, when I say “Heartfelt thanks to you all”!
Folks, it is now only 4 years and 4 months to go. This will not only be a great event but will also deliver fantastic benefits to Rotary and Melbourne. Tally Ho!"
