Local Rotarians, headed by 7020 District Governor Vance Lewis (right), were on hand on Saturday May 11, 2013 to welcome fellow Rotarians for the Rotary District 7020 Conference, which begins today, May 13, 2013. Photo: Facebook/Rotary District 7020

Some of the Rotarians in for the Rotary District 7020 Conference. Photo: Facebook/Rotary District 7020

Local Interacters were also on hand to welcome participants and guests for the District Conference. Photo: Facebook/Rotary District 7020

District Governor Vance Lewis and other members of the Rotary BVI Family welcome home its BVI GSE Team who spent the last six weeks in Texas. They have returned in time for the Rotary District 7020 Conference. Photo: VINO

Rotarians for the Rotary District 7020 Conference will surely feel welcome at every corner due to the many posters and banners erected. Photo: VINO

This banner is erected at Pasea. Photo: VINO

A Rotary banner on a fence at Port Purcell. Photo: VINO

The conference this year aptly carries the  theme "Experience the passion of Rotary" and will continue the rich Rotary tradition of bringing Rotarians together to discuss Rotary business and to build stronger bonds through giving.

The conference will be a gathering of persons who believe in giving and bettering communities and the guests will be treated to a Rotary experience created by the love, passion and commitment of dedicated Rotarians in the Virgin Islands.

According to the 7020 District Governor, Vance Lewis, the conference presents an un-paralleled opportunity to showcase the [British] Virgin Islands and to facilitate interaction between attendees and members of the community, with whom they will inevitably come into contact with.

The spirit of camaraderie and fellowship was evident on Saturday evening, May 11, 2013 as the Road Town Ferry dock was one of the warmest places at the time when several international partners and Rotarians arrived from the US Virgin Islands. On the spot to welcome their fellows and comrades, were Mr Lewis and members of the local Rotary Clubs' Hospitality and Public Relations teams.

Passers-by and others on the dock at the time could not contain themselves as they too joined in sharing the warm spirit of the Virgin Islands.

Speaking with Virgin Island's News Online, Mr Lewis said the ten countries that form the 7020 District will see in excess of 510 visitors entering the territory. "Right now we have a total of 510 registrants and the numbers are constantly climbing," said Lewis.

Local Rotarians came in for much commendation as the District Governor said they have been showing their true strength of team spirit and brotherhood in working together to ensure that the visitors are well taken care of. "I must say that our organizing teams have been spending extensive time in making sure that every T is crossed and every I dotted to give the visiting Rotarians an experience of a lifetime while here for the few days."  He added, "If we were to give awards for organising, every member would have to get a gift because they, or I can safely say we, all did an excellent job in organising this."

One of the key activities of the conference will be at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. This will be a programme called 'PET'; Presidents Elect Training where in excess of 150 Presidents-elects and Secretary-elects will go through extensive training to prepare them for the key offices they will be taking up come July, 2013.

Other activities, which will run from today, Monday, May 13 to Sunday May 19, 2013, include several cocktail receptions - the first being hosted by the Premier of the Virgin Islands Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith; luncheons; District assembly; club awards; District home hospitality; new Rotarians' breakfast morning; the District Conference; and a community health walk scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2013.

"This is a proud moment for the BVI, for Rotarians, and the general community of the Territory altogether and this is one of the ways we see ourselves promoting the BVI as a tourist destination, with an experience that cannot be felt anywhere else in the world," Mr Lewis said.