Thursday, May 1
Start your conference weekend early by taking part in our
Leadership & Personal Development sessions!
Registration/Check In at the Event Center: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Suggested Dress: Rotary Casual
Brain Power Emerging Leaders Session: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Sponsored by Dr. Karen Pollard with Brain Power Solutions, you'll be among our District's Rising Rotarians. Enjoy various activities perfectly curated to provide knowledge & insight on how to take your Rotary journey to the next level. This session will be held on the 2nd Floor of the Event Center.
Cherokee Service Through Education: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Be part of honoring the Cherokee Culture & People by learning more about their rich history. The program will be led by representatives from the Museum of the Cherokee People. This session will be held on the 2nd Floor of the Event Center.
Fidelity Bank Welcome Reception: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Sponsored by Katie Walker with Fidelity Bank, enjoy an evening of business & social networking. This is a private family-friendly event located at the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center inside the resort. Enjoy the networking among free bowling & the half-off arcade. Complimentary food will be provided, drinks will be available for purchase.
Spouse & Family Info for Event:
Is your spouse or guest joining you for conference, but would prefer to attend certain events “a la carte”?
That is totally fine! Spouses & Guests are welcome to join you for the Fidelity Bank Welcome Reception on Thursday Evening.
The cost for a guest to attend this event “a la carte” is $55.00. Please use the link below to register your guest & pay online.
Children 18 & Under may attend for free!
Friday: May 2
Registration/Check In at the Event Center: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Breakfast in the Event Center: 7:00am – 8:45am
Plenary Session 1 in the Event Center: 9:00am - 12 Noon
Suggested Dress: Rotary Casual
Welcome & Presentation of Colors
We have the honor of receiving a special welcome from Cherokee Chief Michell Hicks, as well as the Presentation of Colors & National Anthem presented by the Cherokee Color Guard.
Jennifer Strong, RI Representative
Back to visit us again, you'll hear from our Rotary International Representative, Jennifer Strong!
David LaMotte, Keynote Speaker
It's not everyday that you get to hear from a speaker that will also present at the RI International Conference! Do not miss David LaMotte, a former Rotary World Peace Fellow, 4-time author and 2-time TEDx Speaker.
Friday, May 2: Lunch Suggestions
You’ll be on your own for lunch! Enjoy the many eateries on site before you head to your service project. More details on Friday’s scheduled service projects and excursions can be found on the Service Projects page and Excursions page of our website.
Friday, May 2: Service Projects
Find More Details about each Service Project on the Service Projects tab of our website!
Dental Hygiene Kit Packing: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Join your fellow District Rotarians on the 2nd Floor of the Event Center at Harrah's Resort to pack dental hygiene kits! This event will begin at 2:00pm
Gardening & Planting: 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Enjoy an afternoon outdoors at the Cherokee Center for Plants. This service project is offsite. Meet at the Extension Center at 876 Acquoni Road. Transportation will not be provided. Be sure to dress appropriately & bring your own gloves. Gardening tools will be provided.
Friday, May 2: Excursions
Find More Details about each of our excursion opportunities on the Excursions tab of our website!
Sequoyah National Golf Club: 1:00pm Tee Time
Enjoy a round of golf at a Robert Trent Jones II designed course. Transportation is not provided to the course, which is located at 79 Cahons Road, Whittier (It's only 8 minutes from the resort!). You'll pick up your boxed lunch at the golf shop and then hit the course.
Friday, May 2: Dinner Suggestions
Restaurants at Harrah's Cherokee Resort
You're on your own for dinner on Friday, May 2. We do encourage you to consider a group dinner with members from your club! No need to even leave the resort, there are many different eateries & cuisines offered right on site. Be sure to check out the Hotel Restaurants page of the Hotel Accommodations tab on our website to review the different options. We do encourage you to call the resort or make your reservations online!
Friday, May 2: Fidelity Bank After-Dinner Show
Aerial Performance: 8:45pm - 9:30pm
Enjoy an incredible aerial performance in the event center! Our aerial performers are with Pura Vida Studio in Cary, NC. This after-dinner entertainment is free to you and your guests. Many thanks to Fidelity Bank for sponsoring this special program!
Enjoy a sneak peek below!
Saturday: May 3
Registration/Check In at the Event Center: 7:30am – 10:00am
Breakfast in the Event Center: 7:00am – 8:45am
Suggested Dress: Rotary Casual
Plenary Session 2 in the Event Center: 9:00am - 12 Noon
Purple Thunder Drumline
The pride of Western Carolina University, let your spirit be awakened by the Purple Thunder Drumline.
Youth Services Programming
Learn more about the fantastic Youth Services Programs in our district! You'll be introduced to our new RYLA Executive Director. You'll hear from a Global Scholar, and you'll hear from our District's 4-Way Test Speech Contest Winner.
Joyce Dugan, Keynote Speaker
We have the distinct pleasure of hearing from Joyce, the first & only woman Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Saturday, May 3: Lunch Suggestions
You’ll be on your own for lunch! Enjoy the many eateries on site OR be sure to grab your boxed lunch on the way to your excursion. More details on Saturday’s scheduled excursions can be found on the Excursions page of our website, including the location of when you’ll pick up your boxed lunch.
Saturday, May 3: Service Projects
Find More Details about each Service Project on the Service Projects tab of our website!
Smoky Mountains National Park Cleanup: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Help keep the Smoky Mountains National Park beautiful! Meet at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at 1194 Newfound Gap Road at 2pm and you'll caravan to the national park. Be sure to dress appropriately for a park clean up (closed toed shoed encouraged!). All tools & supplies will be provided by our friends with the Bryson City Rotary Club.
Saturday, May 3: Excursions
Find More Details about each of our excursion opportunities on the Excursions tab of our website!
Fly Fishing at Harrah's Cherokee Resort: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
An outdoor adventure without having to leave the resort! Meet in the lobby of the Cherokee Tower and you'll be greeted by your Rotarian "Excursion Captain." Your Excursion Captain will be distribute your boxed lunches & introduce you to the Fly Fishing Guide.
Oconaluftee Indian Village: 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Step back in time to the 18th century & immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the Cherokee people. Transportation is not provided to the Indian Village, which is located at 288 Drama Road, Cherokee. (Only 7 minutes from the resort!).
Saturday, May 3: Evening Events
Location: The Event Center
Suggested Dress: Cocktail Attire
Reception & Toast to Mark Brandon, DGE: 5:45pm
You're invited to join in the pre-dinner reception! This is an excellent opportunity for business and social networking. Relax with your new Rotary friends as we toast to our incoming District Governor, Mark Brandon!
Dinner & District Awards: 6:15pm - 9:00pm
Time to celebrate the success of this past year! Join us in the Event Center for dinner and our annaul district awards!
Spouse & Family Info for Event:
Is your spouse or guest joining you for conference, but would prefer to attend certain events “a la carte”?
That is totally fine! Spouses & Guests are welcome to join you for the Saturday Night Awards Dinner.
The cost for a guest to attend this event “a la carte” is $110.00 Please use the link below to register your guest & pay online.
During Dinner Living History Demonstration
The Warriors of AniKituhwa will bring to life the Cherokee War Dance which conveys the strength of the Cherokee nation. The Warriors also perform Cherokee social dances, including the Bear Dance, Beaver Hunting Dance, and the Friendship Dance- where spectators are invited to join in. Many thanks to Geico Winston Salem for sponsoring this experience!
Sunday: May 4
Breakfast in the Event Center: 7:00am – 9:00am
Suggested Dress: Rotary Casual
Inner Peace Reflections Service: 9:15am - 10:00am
Join us in the Event Center for a time of quiet, facilitated reflection. We'll also celebrate the lives of District Rotarians that passed this past year.
Plenary Session 3 in the Event Center: 10:15am - 11:00am
Suggested Dress: Rotary Casual
Jennifer Strong, RI Representative
We'll hear final remarks from our RI Representative as we close out a fantastic District Conference!