ROTARY LUNCHEON: Dr. George Jacob - Rethinking Tourism: Destination San Francisco

Dr. George Jacob, FRCGS will share his vision of San Francisco tourism in the future.

Dr. Jacob is a futurist and the President and CEO of the Smithsonian-affiliated Bay Ecotarium and its seven branches including the San Francisco Aquarium, unified under the mission of ocean conservation, climate resilience, environmental advocacy and sustainability. He currently leads its $260 million transformation into a living climate museum with an oceanarium at its core.

Born in India, George Jacob is a Canadian Commonwealth Scholar, founder of multiple stellar public institutions  around the world, and winner of numerous national and international awards, author of eight books on the Future of Museums and over 150 editorials. His projects have been inaugurated by two US Presidents and a Vice President. Rarely has there been a person, who has created so many destinations that are anchors of civil societies, visited by millions each year. 

While he has been the Chief Advisor to the UNEP in the Caribbean on Climate initiatives, he is perhaps the only Aquarium CEO in the world leading five of the biggest Climatoriums/ Oceanariums/ Eco-Parks in three countries- Norway, Jamaica and India- bound to impact millions on Climate Literacy, Awareness and informed Climate Action. He currently serves on the Boards of United States Travel and International Council of Museums. In 2008, Dr. Jacob was honored to be the Project Director of the Star Spangled Banner - the most treasured American icon at the Smithsonian - rededicated to the nation by President George W. Bush. For his three decades of dedication to establishing public institutions, Dr. Jacob was awarded the Louis K Medal by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society - only 5 recipients honored to-date outside of Canada (others being Sir David Attenborough, Sir Michael Pailin, Alex Trebek and President Jimmy Carter). In 2018, he received California's First Environmental Sustainability Award and last year, Canada conferred him with the prestigious Late Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Register here for In Person or Zoom attendance.

For in-person attendees: We welcome all attendees! The in-person registration cost for all adults and children is $45 until 11:59 AM on Friday, April 12, 2024. The meeting cost increases to $60 at noon and beyond on April 12, 2024 and includes any walk-ins on Tuesday, April 16.

The Hotel Nikko holds us to the headcount that we submit on Friday at noon, prior to our Tuesday meeting, whether those registered attend or not. In Rotary spirit, thanks for helping us to maintain a good relationship with our host hotel. 

For attendance via Zoom: For those who wish to participate via Zoom, there is a $10 fee to attend.

Parking: If you are driving to the Hotel Nikko for this meeting, please leave your car with the Hotel Nikko valet. Pick up a validation sticker available at our check-in table. The discounted parking is $17.50 for three hours.

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