** We have a new name: Chesapeake Presidents-Elect Learning Seminar – CPELS! **

We appreciate your patience as we transition our website & other channels & graphics to the new name. This website remains operational until we change to a new domain: RotaryCPELS.org.

Chesapeake Presidents Elect Learning Seminar (CPELS) 2027

March 4 –  6, 2027

Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles, Chantilly VA

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Registration for Hotel Rooms is a Separate Step:

A block of rooms has been reserved for CPELS27 participants at a special discount rate. That registration link coming soon. (If the hotel gets sold out, there are several hotels very close by along Rte. 28.)

Presidents-Elect:

For questions about event registration: contact your District Governor Elect or ask at your district Pre-PETS sessions. Or email CPETSRotary@gmail.com, so we can direct your inquiry to the appropriate Planning Committee member.

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Welcome to Cheasapeake PETS26 from Our Chair

Welcome to the Chesapeake Presidents Elect Training Seminar… or CPETs for short. (Download pdf of our 2026 event flyer here) Congratulations to the incoming Club Presidents on your election to lead your clubs for Rotary Year 2026/27. CPETS helps prepare future Club Presidents and district leaders for their upcoming roles. Our dedicated event Planning Committee and facilitators will help you to make the best of this learning event. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences and best practices during interactive sessions. You will have the opportunity to learn proven strategies to make your club stronger, attract new members, and enhance your members’ Rotary experience.

CPETS creates an opportunity to meet other Rotary leaders who can be a resource for you. Our four District Governors Elect are ready to work with you to make the most of your year as Club President. We also have three dynamic keynote speakers from Rotary International — and are especially excited to welcome immediate Previous RI President Stephanie Urchick to our event!

Our House of Friendship will feature numerous Rotary vendors and exhibitors that will have merchandise, displays, and information to enhance your club’s experience and opportunities to serve your community. And our Emerging Club Leaders Academy (for selected Presidents Nominee and other potential club leaders) will start on Friday afternoon with sessions for “early arrivals,” in advance of the full day track for the academy on Saturday. (If you know of a candidate interested to attend, contact your District Governor Nominee for info.)

When you participate in Chesapeake PETS, we want you to have a good time! To help you prepare for your CPETS experience, we encourage you to thoroughly browse this website and to talk with your club and district leaders about what to expect. Learn more about our program agenda here.

CPETS is fast-paced. To get the most out of CPETS, think about where you and your Rotary club are today. Write down three areas you hope to find ideas to improve your club, whether it’s finding a new service project, making your meetings more exciting or inviting, or how to grow your club’s membership. Also, identify up to three things your club does well that are worth sharing with your peers.

The CPETS planning team looks forward to meeting you in Chantilly in March!

Click here to meet our CPETS Planning Committee

  ** Note: CPELS27 DGE Profiles coming soon! **

Meet our CPETS26 District Governors Elect!

These leaders will serve as District Governors starting July 1, 2026 — under the leadership of the Rotary International President, Olayinka Hakeem Babalola.

For District Governor Succession Lines, click here.