A letter from our District Governor Kim Spirou

The Grand Experience Awaits!

May 6–9, 2027 | Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island

Chris and I are beyond excited to welcome you to The GRAND Experience, our 2027 District Conference at the magnificent Grand Hotel on beautiful Mackinac Island!

Imagine four unforgettable days surrounded by Rotary friends, breathtaking scenery, incredible experiences, and the timeless elegance of one of North America’s most iconic destinations.

No cars. Just horses, bicycles, fresh air, and something we could all use a little more of… time.

Time to reconnect. Time to laugh. Time to be inspired. And time to remember why we fell in love with Rotary in the first place.

Because sometimes, the greatest gift Rotary gives us isn’t another project. It’s each other. The friendships we build, the memories we create, and the people who become part of our Rotary family.

And speaking of family, we intentionally chose the Mother’s Day weekend to make this celebration even more meaningful! Bring your mom and treat her to a weekend she’ll never forget! Bring your children and grandchildren, too. Our new Camp Grand supervised children’s program means the whole family can share in the magic of Mackinac Island.

Friday and Saturday afternoons are free and yours to explore, relax, and enjoy the island! Join our first-ever Rotary Fudge Crawl, discover the fascinating history of Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island with renowned historian Bob Tagatz, or take a scenic eight-mile bike ride around the island. Enjoy a friendly game of pickleball or cornhole, or play a round of golf on the spectacular Jewel golf course.

There’s plenty of fun for children, too! From scavenger hunts, to croquet and BMX biking on the dirt course to our planned Kite Fly on the Great Lawn, there’s something to spark every young adventurer. Camp Grand offers even more excitement, with organized activities designed especially for our younger guests.

Register today and book your beautiful room at Grand Hotel before prices increase December 1. We can’t wait to share this unforgettable weekend with you!

We’ve also worked hard to make this an extraordinary value.

Your package includes three nights at the Grand Hotel, breakfasts and dinners, ferry transportation, horse-drawn taxi service, and luggage handling. Children under five stay free, older children enjoy significantly reduced rates, and first-time conference attendees receive a $100 rebate!

And the excitement is building! More than 460 of your Rotary friends and their family members have already registered!

Here’s the important part: EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS NOVEMBER 30!

Beginning December 1, conference registration fees DOUBLE, and Grand Hotel package rates increase! Register now. Lock in your savings and become part of what promises to be one of the most memorable District conferences ever!

I believe you’ll leave Mackinac Island with much more than wonderful memories. You’ll return home with stronger friendships, renewed inspiration, a deeper passion for service, and a heart ready to bend down and pick up another starfish.

We are definitely, BETTER TOGETHER! Join us for The GRAND Experience! We can’t wait to see you there!

Two very different gatherings, but one beautiful purpose: to celebrate the people, friendships, and generosity that make Rotary extraordinary. As we celebrate Foundation Month, let’s remember that Rotary’s greatest strength has never been measured simply by the dollars we raise or the projects we complete.

It’s measured in the lives we change—and the people who make those changes possible. And those people are YOU. Thank you for all you do, for all you give, and for the difference you make every single day.

Let’s keep creating lasting impact together! I can’t wait to see you at both celebrations!

Kim Spirou
District Governor, Rotary District 6400
2026–27