From Olivier Mythodrama and leadership to Avian Flu and hotspots, the educational travel community reaches out for answers

The Educational Travel Community Convenes to hear experts in leadership, risk management, consumer hotspots and the latest information on educational travel.

St. Ignatius, MT (PRWEB) February 19, 2006 — The Educational Travel Community will convene in Baltimore, Maryland, from February 21 thru February 24, 2006, at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel. The 20th annual Educational Travel Conference (ETC) will focus on “Inspirational Performances” and the past, present and future of educational travel in the world today.

More than 130 nonprofit travel planners representing institutions from across the US and Canada in cooperation with over 30 domestic and foreign government tourist offices and more than 120 special interest tour operators and travel supplier will attend and exhibit at the ETC. Distinguished institutions from Harvard to Stanford, Notre Dame and public universities including the University of Arizona and the University of Virginia, and museums including the Smithsonian and the American Museum of Natural History are just a few among many of the respected educational institutions that will attend the ETC.

“Our Keynote Speakers for the 20th anniversary of the Educational Travel Conference are an exceptional group of leaders in their field of expertise,” said Mara DelliPriscoli, Founder, of the Educational Travel Conference. Pico Iyer, renowned travel writer and author, will kickoff the Conference on Tuesday, February 21, at 7 p.m. with the focus on why people travel and what inspires travelers. In sync with the Conference theme of “Inspirational Performances”, Richard Olivier, grandson of Sir Lawrence Olivier, will talk about “Olivier Mythodrama” – a unique leadership development consultancy. His work today centers on brinGing theater and the arts into the development of authentic leaders. “Mythodrama” is a new form of experiential learning, combining great stories with psychological insights, creative exercises and organizational development techniques.   
  
“To have lasting impact, education needs to awaken the curiosity to probe deeper and the willingness to change assumptions. Education must address the capacity to take in new information, the appreciation for nature’s endowments, and how humankind has responded and defined the world as we know it today,” said Dr. Carolyn Woo, Dean of the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Woo will be a keynote speaker at ETC on February 23 at 9 a.m. on making the case for educational travel and experiential learning abroad.

The Conference is programmed with great vertical depth each day with over 120 speakers over the 4 days of pre-conference and conference activities designed for the nearly 500 delegates. Because the delegates represent the leverage of travel programs and thousands of global travelers from alumni associations and members of a variety of organizations, ETC is committed to professional development and continuing education for the delegates. They will be in “school” for 3 days learning in-depth information about hot topics including UNESCO sites, communicating risks to travelers, the latest CDC and medical community information regarding infectious diseases like avian flu, SARS, and any unforeseen crises that may occur in response to health, terrorism and natural disasters.

Of key interest to consumers today, a session on “Addressing Traveler Health Issues: Infectious diseases & medical hotspots” will take place on Friday, February 24, at 11:45 a.m. with esteemed medical and legal experts. Moderating the session will be Dr. Randolph P. Martin, MD, Medical correspondent for Cox Television’s ABC affiliate, WSB-TV, and Professor of Medicine (cardiology), Emory University. Speakers will include Dr. Edelman, MD, University of Maryland, head of the trails on Avian Flu vaccines for the CDC research; Dr. Kip Baggett from Travelers’ Health; Resource Respondent: Tracey Knutson, Attorney, Knutson and Associates.

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