Round Table International World Meeting (RTIWM) 2018 to be held in Negombo

From left: Jetwing Hotels, Director Operations Jerome Auvity, Round Table Sri Lank Vice President Shezad Hameed, Representative of George Steuart Travel, Minister of Tourism and Christian Affairs John Amaratunga and Round Table Sri Lanka (RTSL), President Jehan Mubarak
Pic by: Samantha Perera

By Nishel Fernando

Sri Lanka has won the bid to host the Round Table International World Meeting (RTIWM) 2018 connecting four leading hotels in Negombo from 5th to 9th September, the organizers of the event announced at a recent press briefing. 

RTIWM is considered the most important event in the Round Table calendar, with many countries bidding to host the event. Round Table Sri Lanka (RTSL) was successful in its bid to host the 2018 World Meeting at Jetwing Blue, Jetwing Sea, Jetwing Beach and Camelot hotels in Negombo.

The organizers of RTIWM expect to host over 500 members from 44 countries and over 100 local members.

The organizers stressed that RTIWM 2018 will offer its membership across the globe an opportunity to explore the island and its cultures and traditions as well as to engage in growing personal and business networks. The event is expected to generate US$ 200,000 - US$300,000 in foreign exchanges to the country, according to Round Table Sri Lanka (RTSL), President Jehan Mubarak.

Prior to RTIWM 2018 main event, George Steuart Travel also organized a tour across the island for the RTIWM 2018 participants. 

RTSL, Vice President, Shezad Hameed noted that the Tusnami Round Table came to the spotlight by rapidly mobilizing its local and international network to raise US$2.4 million in aid as immediate flood relief and for long term infrastructure projects. 

Speaking at the press briefing, Minister of Tourism and Christian Affairs John Amaratunga said that growing MICE activities such as RTIWM 2018 will help Sri Lanka to establish itself as a leading tourist destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions (MICE) events. 

Round Table International is an international network of professional young men promoting personal development, fellowship and community service with an aim to bring about change in the life of its members as well as communities.  It was founded in 1927 in Norwich, England and it was expanded to Sri Lanka in 1994 under the auspices of the late President of Sri Lanka, J.R. Jayawardane.

RTSL has grown to 9 tables with over 120 members while the current local network consists of young men who are at the peak of their careers ranging from CEOs, pilots, doctors, chefs, sportsmen to entrepreneurs.