District Conference
April 24-25, 2026
Hilton Columbus / Polaris | Columbus, Ohio
“Rotary Stronger Together”
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The Venue &
Accommodations
HILTON COLUMBUS/POLARIS
8700 Lyra Drive
Columbus, OH 43240
614-885-1600
Find us next to Polaris Fashion Place, within 20 minutes of Downtown Columbus and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Topgolf is just a mile away. Perks include our indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, and twinkling courtyard with fire pits to complete your stay.
Rate: $186+tax
Group rate pricing available thru March 26, 2026
DISTRICT CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
- Full Conference Package – $225, includes Foundation Gala on Friday Evening
- Foundation Gala Friday Only – $75
- Saturday Dinner Only – $75
All meals will be buffet style with vegetarian and vegan options
Friday Afternoon 2-4 pm
- No cost to attend
- Wine Fellowship at Meza Wine Shop SOLD OUT
Saturday Afternoon 3-5 pm
- Play or Watch / $20pp
- Pickleball Event at Smash Park
- Golf Event at Topgolf
Fun Activities for Everyone
Plan your adventure now.
Silent Auction
House of Friendship
The Speakers
Michael (Mike) K. McGovern
Board Chair, International PolioPlus Committee
Mike McGovern has chaired the Rotary International PolioPlus Committee since October 2014. He has represented Rotary on the Polio Oversight Board since 2018 and formerly chaired its Finance Accountability Committee. He made his first financial contribution for polio eradication in 1988.
He joined Rotary in 1986 as a member of the Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA. He has served in many Rotary positions including as a director and vice president of Rotary International and as a trustee and vice chair of the Rotary Foundation.
Other volunteer service include terms as president of the Maine Municipal Association and of the Maine Town and City Association, chair of ecomaine which is the state’s largest recycler, chair of the Rotary Action Group for Family Health and AIDS Prevention, global chair of the Rotary Leadership Institute and he served as a member of the Board of Visitors of the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service from which he had earned a Master’s in Public Policy and Management prior to it being named as the Muskie School.
He served his entire professional career with the Town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine USA beginning as an intern in 1977 and serving as the chief appointed officer (town manager) for 31 years until his retirement in 2016.
Michael Angelo Caruso
Past District Governor, Rotary District 6380 (2016-17)
International Motivational Speaker & Coach
Michael Angelo Caruso teaches people how to be better speakers and presenters so they can help more people and amp up their careers.
He utilizes his unique background in the technology sector and a separate career in the entertainment business to deliver keynote speeches that feel like a combination of your best teacher and your favorite comedian.
Michael delivers about 70 presentations and keynote speeches a year. He has spoken on six continents and in 49 of the 50 states.
Caruso is founder and President of Edison House, an international consulting firm specializing in corporate and personal improvement. Edison House clients include Hallmark, Bank of America, Verizon Wireless, Rayovac, Citgo, Nissan, and the United States Navy.
Michael loves giving back. A lifetime Rotarian, his seminar fundraiser for Rotary Clubs has raised over a quarter of a million dollars for Rotary Clubs all over North America. Ask him about it after his keynote!
MAC enjoys exercise, movies, non-fiction books, and travel. He resides in Rochester, Michigan.
Jimmy and Robin Burrow
Jimmy Burrow, vice president of the Joe Burrow Foundation, is a former defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a retired college football coach and father of Heisman Trophy winner and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow. Jimmy played college football at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. His last coaching position was as defensive coordinator for Ohio University from 2005 – 2019. Jimmy timed his retirement from coaching to coincide with the final college football season of his son, Joe Burrow, who played at LSU in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020.
Robin Burrow, secretary and treasurer of the Joe Burrow Foundation, is a retired principal and teacher. Robin also serves as a senior executive of the Appalachian Children’s Coalition, an organization with an objective to “help improve the health and well-being of our region’s children.” Robin is the mother of Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow. She has lived and taught in southeast Ohio for 15 years.
Weekend Overview
tentative 1-25-26
FRIDAY
APRIL 24
| 2:00 – 4:00 | Wine Fellowship |
| 4:00 – 8:30 | Registration |
| 4:30 | Silent Auction Opens |
| 5:30 – 6:30 | Welcome and Reception |
| 6:30 – 9:00 | Foundation Gala and Dinner
|
| 9:00 – 11:00 pm | Hospitality Suite |
SATURDAY
APRIL 25
7:00 am | Continental Breakfast |
8:00 am | Silent auction opens |
8:00 am | General session
|
9:00 am | Breakout Sessions 1
|
10:00 am | Breakout Sessions 2
|
11:00 am | Memorial Ceremony and District Business |
11:30 am | Four Way Test Contest Winner Speech |
11:45 pm | Lunch |
1:20 pm | Breakout Sessions 3
|
3:00 pm | Host Hospitality / Service Project
|
5:00 pm | SWAG Swap |
6:30 pm | Evening Program
|
7:30 pm | Silent Auction Ends |
8:00 pm | Live Auction |
CLICK IMAGE TO OPEN SLIDE SHOW OF SPEAKER DETAILS
