Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Toastmasters 2010 International Convention - Change of Venue!











This just in from Toastmasters International - Executive Director, Dan Rex!!

From: DRex@toastmasters.org
Sent: 12-Nov-2008 16:08:48 PST
Subject: Toastmasters 2010 International Convention

Dear District Governors and Lt. Governors,

I write to you today to announce a change in location for the 2010 International Convention.

World Headquarters recently conducted an extensive Convention analysis, taking into account the global financial crisis and economic downturn, as well as the overall increased costs associated with holding the Convention in Sydney. This led to a realization and decision that it would not be fiscally responsible to hold the 2010 Convention in Sydney, Australia. The new site for the 2010 Convention is Palm Desert, California. We hope you will join us and many of your fellow Toastmasters there!

We realize this will be a disappointment to many of our members, especially those in Host District 70, led by Elizabeth Wilson, whom we thank for the planning and work they have already done.

Many Toastmasters saw the 2010 Convention in Sydney as a landmark in our history, a demonstration of the truly global nature of our organization. As we continue to stretch into more than 92 countries around the world, I can assure you that our global roots are deep. We will continue to evaluate sites worldwide as potential locations for a future International
Convention and look forward to holding an “international” Convention as soon as the time is right.

This was not an easy decision to make, but it is one that will ultimately benefit the interests of all members. Our primary responsibility at this time is to be prudent guardians of the organization’s funds.

We appreciate your understanding and support.

Best regards,


Dan

-------------------
Daniel Rex
Executive Director
Toastmasters International
drex@toastmasters.org / www.toastmasters.org
P: 949 858 8255 F: 949 459 2466

4 comments:

SLLiew said...

So sad... Hope it will go to Sydney soon. It will be a landmark convention for Toastmasters International as the first convention outside North America.

Dr. Sherri Raftery said...

Thank you for posting a comment Sms Penang.

The intention to go Australia was certainly there by WHQ.

It sounds more like a monetary issue than a desire to have Convention outside of North America.

Someday!!

Anonymous said...

Sherri,
TI now has this on the website.
http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/News/Announcements/NewConventionSite.aspx

Piano Man

Dr. Sherri Raftery said...

Thank you Piano Man!

I updated the news on my BLOG.