Dear Conference Participants,

As most of you are currently approaching Sarajevo and some are already enjoying lovely Banja Luka, please find all relevant information for Friday events below.

Welcome to the Welcome Party!

Rotaractors are throwing us a great party on Friday! We will enjoy drinks, finger food and each other’s company at A P E T I T | Gastro • Wine • Bar, Zmaja od Bosne 13.

If you are staying at Hotel Hills, there will be two bus shuttles departing at 19:00 and 19:15 taking you to the Welcome Party. On the way back, buses will depart at 23:30 and 01:00. For everyone else, please check the location of Apetit here. There is a parking lot behind if you are coming by car. Parking ramp is a good spot for taxis to drop you off as well.

Apetit has entrances from two sides, but please use the one on the parking lot side to enter. Welcome Party is a non-smoking event. Smoking is only allowed outdoors.

May the best Austria win!  

Rotary Conference can’t be a reason to skip Austria – Poland match! You are invited to Apetit (location of the Welcome Party) already from 18:00 to enjoy the game with some beer and snacks (free of charge).

Sarajevo gets quite congested in late afternoon hours, so we recommend that you take a tram to Apetit (station “University Campus”)

Sightseeing Tours

For those of you who registered for the sightseeing tours, there will be a shuttle bus from Hotel Hills.

* ride to the hotel at this time will take more than usual due to traffic conditions

Location where the bus will pick you up and drop you off is Bentbaša Tourist Bus & Coach Drop off / Pick up (this one), please bookmark it. The tour guide will wait for you there and will hold a sign that says “Rotary”. If you are not staying at the hotel, please come to the same location around 15 minutes before the tour starts.  

If you signed up more than one person, please forward them this email.

Rotarian salute,

Your District Conference Organizing Committee

Dear Conference Participants,

As the day of your arrival approaches, please find few additional updates below.

If you are arriving by plane…

Hotel Hills offers airport shuttle service to everyone staying there. Price is 15 EUR and is paid individually. If you would like to book a shuttle, please send an email to info@hotelhills.com, no later than Thursday, 14:30h. Their driver will be at the exit from the terminal waiting with a sign.  

For those staying elsewhere, we recommend two options:

–        bus shuttle service from airport to the city center, with stops along the route. You can check the schedule here. 

–        if you wish to use a taxi, we recommend that you call by phone (Red Taxi, +38733760600 or Yellow Taxi, +38733663555). Taxi drive to Hotel Hills is normally 6-7 EUR and to the city center 15-18 EUR. There are taxis already waiting at the airport, but they are known for overcharging tourists.

Buses and taxis might not accept EUR or other foreign currency. We recommend that you use an ATM at the airport or exchange cash at the airport exchange office (may be closed if you are arriving late). 

If you are arriving by car…

A free parking is organized for Conference participants at Hotel Hills parking lot. When leaving, please give the ticket to the reception desk staff and show them your name card (which you will receive on Saturday morning at the registration desk). They will cancel the ticket for you.

… and if you want to win the best photo competition!

We mentioned already that there is a competition and there is a prize. Take a picture and use tag #sarajevo2024. Post it to Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. Make sure we can see it, so please set it to public.

Few additional remarks

–        If you registered during the last week, to ensure that you have not missed any information from us, please check https://www.sarajevo2024.org/information/.

–        Please do not forget that our website contains more information on the program, schedule, dress code for each event etc. Conference agenda will only be available here (click and scroll down) and will not be printed.

–        We try not to burden you with emails, but will need to send a few more. Please bear with us!

–        If you registered more people than just yourself, please forward this email to them.

Looking forward to welcoming each and every one of you,

Rotary District 1910 Conference Organizing Team 

Dear Conference Participants,

The Pride Parade on Saturday will start from the Historical Museum (at 18:00) and end in front of the National Theater (at 19:00) – map attached.

If you are staying in the central part of the city, please bear in mind that this coincides with the break that we have between the Conference (which ends at 17:00) and the Gala Dinner (19:00). Apart from the main road where the Pride Parade is taking place, closures of other streets for vehicles and somewhere also for pedestrians in that area of the city is expected, also ahead of 18:00. Alternative routes will be available but are likely to experience heavy traffic.

We will have some shuttle buses on Saturday morning that will take you from the city center to the Conference venue (more info to follow soon), but because of the Pride Parade we will not be able to organize buses to take you back. We will ask for some taxis to be ready at Hotel Hills at 17:00 on Saturday so you may use those (self-paid). Taxis will be able to use hilly alternative routes.

If you have not already booked your accommodation, our recommendation is that you book some close to the Conference hotel.

Celebrating love and Rotary,
Your District Conference Organizing Committee

Dear Conference participants,

This e-mail contains important information regarding your bus transportation to Sarajevo and back. Please read carefully and check the website https://www.sarajevo2024.org/bus-packages/ for updates

Departure time and bus stops from Vienna direction Sarajevo (Thursday, 20 June)

• 08:00 – Bus parking Schwedenplatz, Franz-Josefs-Kai opposite house numbers 19-23, 1010 Vienna
• 09:45 – Raststation Loipersdorf (highway A2)
• 10:45 – Flixbus station Graz (P&R Webling), Erna-Diez-Straße, 8054 Graz
• 17:00 – Courtyard by Marriott Banja Luka
• 21:15 – Hotel Hills, Sarajevo

Departure time and bus stops from Banja Luka direction Sarajevo (Friday, 21 June) – only for those who are dropped off in Banja Luka on 20 June

• 09:00, Courtyard by Marriott Banja Luka
• 12:30, Hotel Hills, Sarajevo

Departure time and bus stops from Sarajevo direction Vienna (Sunday, 23 June)

• 09:00 – Hotel Hills, Sarajevo
• 19:00 – Flixbus station Graz (P&R Webling), Erna-Diez-Straße, 8054 Graz
• 20:00 – Raststation Loipersdorf (highway A2)
• 21:45 – Bus parking Schwedenplatz, Franz-Josefs-Kai opposite house numbers 19-23, 1010 Vienna

Please note:

• All times are when the bus departs. Please come at least 15 minutes early.
• The bus has to leave on time and cannot wait.
• The bus will make occasional rest stops.
• The bus crosses the EU external border and leaves the Schengen area. A valid passport or Schengen ID card is required.
• If someone does not have proper documents, the person cannot travel and the costs will not be reimbursed.
• Any return trips from the border must be organized by yourself.
• There is a free choice of seats on the bus.
• You will be sharing the bus with our foreign Youth Exchange students on 20 June. They will depart already on 22 June, so on 23 June you will travel back to Vienna without them.

Please let us know in case you have any questions.

Want to get always the latest updates? Join our WhatsApp Community group by either opening this link on your mobile phone or scanning this QR-Code with your mobile phone (WhatsApp is needed).

Best regards,

District Conference Organizing Committee

Dear District Conference participants,

We’re thrilled to welcome you to the Rotary District 1910 Conference in the fabulous country of Bosnia and Herzegovina! 🌟 What once was a distant future is now fast approaching – less than two weeks to go.

Here’s a quick overview of what to expect. And hey, we promise it won’t be boring! 😉

Events Overview: For all the nitty-gritty details, locations, timings, and logistics, please visit our official event website: www.sarajevo2024.org. You’ll find the conference program, dress code, and other important information there. This website and a few more email announcements from us will be your best friends during the next few weeks. If the website is not helpful, feel free to email us at info@sarajevo2024.org.

Want to get always the latest updates? Join our WhatsApp Community group by either opening this link on your mobile phone or scanning this QR-Code with your mobile phone (WhatsApp is needed).

Please tell all your friends who have not signed up yet to hurry:

• 🕛 The registration window for the conference package (welcome party, conference, gala dinner) and Sarajevo sightseeing slots will close on 17 June, 23:59.
• 🚌 For all other packages (bus packages, Banja Luka and Mostar trips), registrations will close on 11 June, 23:59.

Registrations after these dates and on the Conference day will not be possible. Please make sure that your payment has been made, no cash payments at the registration desk will be accepted.

Welcome Party: We are kicking off the Conference in style at our Welcome Party at Apetit! 🎉 We’ll have a fun competition to break the ice. Don’t worry about getting there; a shuttle bus will take you from the city to the hotel and back. More details will follow soon.

Conference: We have an exciting lineup of speakers and sessions planned. Check the website for the full schedule so you don’t miss out on anything.

Gala Dinner: Dress to impress and join us for a night of fabulous food, entertainment, and stellar company 🎩🍽️ Perfect for those Instagram-worthy moments! 📸

Safety First: While Bosnia and Herzegovina is generally safe, it’s always good to stay alert.

• Keep your belongings close and beware of pickpockets.
• 🏳️‍🌈 Sarajevo will host its 5th Annual Pride Parade on 22 June (Saturday, our conference day). No incidents have ever been reported at the Pride Parade in the past. We’ll be in a different area of Sarajevo, but please be mindful and stay alert if you go to the city center after the Conference ends. Some parts of the city center may be closed for traffic and pedestrians.
• 🚨 Emergency Services: Save these important numbers on your phone:
• Police: 122
• Ambulance: 123
• Firefighters: 124
• 🏛️ Austrian Embassy Emergency Consular Service – business hours: +387 33 279 400, outside of business hours: +387 61 130 230 (for our dear guests from other countries – kindly check the websites of your embassies in Sarajevo for more details. If you are an EU citizen and your country does not have an embassy in Sarajevo, you can contact any EU embassy in case of emergency).

Extras:

• ⚽ You think that we do not know that Austria is playing Poland in the Eurocup on 21 June? Think again! Catch the game at our Welcome Party venue (Apetit) at 18:00 and stay for the Welcome Party at 20:00!
• 📸 Best Picture Competition: Snap away before and during the conference! The best photo wins a prize. Use tag #sarajevo2024 in the posts of your photos to enter the competition! More info will be provided soon.
• 🎫 Bracelets/lanyards: Wear your conference IDs at all times for easy identification and access to events.
• 👋 Organizing team: Our friendly organizers will be wearing distinctive tags. Feel free to approach them with any questions or just for a chat.
• 📱 Mobile Data & Travel Packages: Check with your mobile provider for data packages that cover Bosnia and Herzegovina. Staying connected has never been easier!
• 🛡️ Insurance: Ensure you have medical travel insurance that covers health, accidents, and emergencies. Better safe than sorry!
• 🚗 Arriving by car: Make sure to have international insurance documents for your car with you.

For our dear participants visiting Banja Luka or Mostar, more details will follow soon in a separate email.

We’re looking forward to seeing you in Sarajevo for an unforgettable Rotary District 1910 Conference. Get ready to learn, network, and have a blast!

Best regards,
Rotary District 1910 Conference Organizing Team

P.S. Don’t forget to smile for those photos. You never know which one might go viral!🌟