by Katheryne Fields, GRSP Executive Director
Rotarians and guests are invited to Conclave to welcome the Georgia Rotary Student Program Class of 2024-25 in Columbus August 23-25, 2024. Conclave is hosted this year by District 6900 and under the direction of the Rotary Clubs of Columbus, Muscogee-Columbus and North Columbus. Registration is still open, please visit the GRSP Calendar at https://grsp.org/calendar-of-events/
Conclave is the kickoff event for GRSP and allows the international college scholarship students to interact with one another as well as Georgia Rotarians. Students, trustees, officers and host families will participate in important informational sessions beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Friday at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center and throughout the day on Saturday. A special welcome dinner for registered Rotarians and guests will be held 6-9 p.m. at the National Infantry Museum at Fort Moore, featuring dinner and the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Jazz Ensemble for $45 per person. Students will provide a short introduction along with naming their trustee as well as their sponsoring Rotary club or clubs. Saturday evening attendees, business/smart attire, will enjoy a dinner and program at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center for the “GRSP Cabaret,” the popular variety-style performance and parade of flags, which is scheduled from 6:15-9:15 p.m. The dinner will be $55 per person. Saturday concludes at the Columbus Marriott with a social for the students and a separate mixer for Rotarians, including a cash-bar option from 9:15-11 p.m. On Sunday morning, the students will experience a whitewater rafting excursion before leaving at 11 a.m. to return to their respective colleges and universities or their club host family.
The Columbus Marriott, located in downtown Columbus, has a block of rooms set aside for Conclave participants who will need lodging with July 24 as the deadline to reserve the special GRSP limited-availability hotel rate. The hotel link is in the registration link information as well as the registration for meals at Conclave, see below. The deadline to register for Conclave is August 15. A special thanks to Columbus-area Rotarians who will serve as weekend hosts to our students.
GRSP scholars are pre-registered for the event and meals. Rotarians and guests may register for Friday and/or Saturday dinners through the registration information below as well.