The 91st Annual Ohio District Kiwanis Convention will convene in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, August 15, 2008.   The June issue of the Ohio District Kiwanis Magazine (found elsewhere on our home page) provides complete information on registration, schedule of activities, meal events, and hotel reservations. 

The 91st Annual Ohio District Kiwanis Convention will convene in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, August 15, 2008.   The June issue of the Ohio District Kiwanis Magazine (found elsewhere on our home page) provides complete information on registration, schedule of activities, meal events, and hotel reservations. 

Convention Site:  This year’s convention will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Columbus North, at 6500 Doubletree Avenue, Columbus, OH 43229.  614-885-1885. This location is convenient to out of town visitors using I-71 and I-270 on the north side of Columbus.  The Crowne Plaza Columbus North provides free parking, reasonable room rates, a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, business center, gift shop, restaurant, and lounge.  It is close to both Polaris and Easton shopping centers.  Kiwanis hospitality greeters will be available to suggest and direct guests to off-site dining and recreation.

With this year’s compact convention schedule every effort is being made to pack excitement, education, and Kiwanis business into a very short timeframe.  Careful attention should be paid to the schedule of events listed on pages 4 and 8 of our district magazine to determine just what events convention participants should plan to attend.  The easy way to make this decision is to arrive early on Friday and spend the weekend.  A special package registration plan is being offered that makes it convenient and affordable to attend all the fun and fellowship events along with participation in the educational and business sessions of the convention.

Please note that lodging is not included with the registration and meal costs. A really great way to begin the convention is the Friday Fun event beginning at 5:30 p.m.  This will be a casual meal event in the Pavilion with entertainment and lively fellowship.  All convention participants are encouraged to attend this event.  There will be no other officially scheduled dinner events for current or past officers or boards on Friday evening.  Entertainment will include a musical “Name That Tune” competition that promises to be a memorable event for all in attendance.

Following dinner on Friday, the fun and excitement continues with a kick-off keynote address by nationally known speaker, Brendon Burchard.  Brendon is the author of Life’s Golden Ticket, a best-selling novel based on one of Brendon’s life changing experiences.  He is a regular guest on national television and an active volunteer involved with Kiwanis and other non-profit organizations.  He will lift your spirits and send you soaring into the rest of the convention weekend.

The 91st annual convention will include all the favorite features such as the silent auction and raffle to benefit the first lady’s project.  A merchandise store will feature Kiwanis and K-family items for immediate purchase.  Current and past Lt. Governors will want to attend the Kardinal’s breakfast on Saturday morning.  All participants will want to attend the annual Ohio District Kiwanis Foundation meeting on Saturday morning as well as the educational forums scheduled throughout the day.  A fellowship luncheon on Saturday will give all participants an opportunity to share ideas and Kiwanis stories as well as acknowledge the accomplishments of the year to date. The delegate session will be held Saturday afternoon followed by the Governor’s Banquet on Saturday evening. The moving and inspirational memorial service will conclude the convention on Sunday.

A detailed schedule and registration forms are included in the June issue of the Ohio Kiwanis Magazine.  Please register early and plan now to attend the 91st OHIO DISTRICT KIWANIS CONVENTION.