Conference Schedule
Pre-Conference: Thursday August 8th (optional)​
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(3:00 PM - Hotel Room Check-In opens)
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5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Free Cocktails/Snacks at Hotel Atrium (for hotel guests)
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7:00 PM: Visit downtown Chicago, Dinner at “Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago”
Location: 100 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL (transportation & meal on your own)
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Conference Day 1: Friday August 9th
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6:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Breakfast Hours at Hotel Atrium (for hotel guests)
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10:00 AM - 2:45 PM: Rotary International HQ Tour Option 1 & Lunch in Evanston, IL
Includes transit time - Guided Tour starts at 11 AM. Separate registration. -
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Rotary International HQ Tour Option 2 in Evanston, IL
Includes transit time - Guided Tour starts at 2 PM. Separate registration. -
3:15 PM - 6:45 PM Conference Registration Open
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(3:00 PM: Hotel Room Check-In opens)
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6:30 PM - 8:30 PM: Welcome Reception, General Session 1: Opening
Location: Salon D​​-
Fellowship with Complimentary Beer/Wine/Soft Drinks
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Welcome Remarks: Elizabeth Roach, Executive Director of Ascension Rotaract Network & Mark Ruedinger, Chair of AscenCon 2024
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Keynote Speaker: Ed Futa, Dean of the Rotary International Global Representative Network & Past General Secretary of Rotary International​​
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Conference Day 2: Saturday August 10th
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7:00 AM - 9:45 AM: Breakfast at Hotel Atrium (for hotel guests)
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9:30 AM - 11:00 AM: General Session 2
Location: Salon C
Procession of Districts
Overview of Ascension Rotaract Network: Taylor Huie, Past Executive Director of Ascension Rotaract Network
Keynote Speaker: Mario Cesar Martins de Camargo, RI President 2025-26
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11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Breakout Session 1
Breakout 1A: Effective Mentorship Strategies, Transition from Rotaract to Rotary
Location: Salon A
Speaker: Marilyn Nevy Cruz, Rotary Club of Washington D.C.
Breakout 1B: Rotary’s Areas of Focus, Action Groups and Rotaract
Location: Salon C
Speakers: Karen Kendrick-Hands, Rotary Club of Madison WI
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12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Breakout Session 2
Breakout 2A: Effective and Sustainable Project Planning
Location: Salon A
Speaker: Nishantkumar Patel, Rotaract Club of Boston MA
Breakout 2B: Rotary International Resources for Rotaract
Location: Salon C
Speaker: John Hannes, Club and District Support at Rotary International at RI
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1:00 PM - 1:15 PM: Break
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1:15 PM - 2:45 PM: Lunch & General Session 3: The Status & Future of Rotaract Panel
Location: Salon D
Speakers:
John Hannes, Global Initiatives Supervisor - Club and District Support at RI
Megan Madrid, Zone 34 Assistant Rotary Coordinator
Sam Mitzel, District Rotaract Representative for District 7610
Mikhail Raymore, District Rotaract Representative-Elect for District 7020
Moderator: Caroline Lazaro, Rotary & Rotaract Clubs of Atlanta Metro GA
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2:45 PM - 3:15 PM: Break
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3:00 PM - 4:15 PM: Breakout Session 3
Breakout 3A: “The Magic of Rotary: Empowering Young Professionals Through Service and Networking”
Location: Salon A
Speaker:
Amelia Stansell, Rotary Club of Warrenton VA
Breakout 3B: Ascension 101
Location: Salon C
Speakers:
Elizabeth Roach, Executive Director of Ascension Rotaract Network
Taylor Huie, Past Executive Director of Ascension Rotaract Network
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4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: SERVICE PROJECT - FOOD PACKING (AT HOTEL)​​
Location: Salon B​
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(6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Networking (free cocktails/snacks for hotel guests))
Location: Hotel Atrium
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7:00 PM - 12:00 AM: Dinner & General Session 4: Closing Ceremony
Location: Salon D
Attire: Business Formal
Speakers:
Elizabeth Roach, Executive Director of Ascension Rotaract Network
Mark Ruedinger, Chair of AscenCon 2024
8:00 PM: DJ & Music
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Post-Conference: Sunday August 11th
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8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Breakfast Hours at Hotel Atrium (for hotel guests)
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10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Paul & Jean Harris Home Tour + Lunch (includes transportation, separate registration)
Meet in the hotel lobby at 10 AM ​
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11:00 AM: Hotel Check-Out Time