adventures in travel expo: over and done with! yehey!

Adventures in Travel Expo Blows into Chicago January 10-11:

More than 200 Exhibitors from Around the World Highlight
Cultural, Active, Experiential Vacations and More

Chicago, IL, (December 11, 2008)— If you’re looking for adventure, escape and worldly activities, right here in Chicago, then drop the remote, rouse yourself off the couch, and head to the only place that fits the bill: Adventures in Travel Expo, Saturday and Sunday, January 10-11, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. While there, you can learn to scuba dive, climb a rock wall, ride a camel, and book your next vacation right on the show floor.

Plan a far-off adventure or a quick weekend getaway with the help of over 200 exhibitors from India to the Philippines: whether you join a group trip, or custom-tailor the adventure of your dreams, you’ll find top experts in every aspect of experiential and active adventure, ready to help and you will save hundreds of dollars on show only vacation discount offers.

“Our exhibitors and partners know how important value is to travelers today. Many have special experiences just for Expo attendees,” noted John Golicz, CEO of Unicomm, Expo organizer. “And of course, there’s no better value than the unforgettable memories of a life-changing adventure.”

Throughout the Adventures in Travel Expo, the National Geographic ADVENTURE Theater and the Adventure Expo Theater will spotlight seminars and presentations by top travel experts and adventure travel authors and photographers such as Andrew Zimmern, host of the Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern and Bizarre Worlds; Patricia Schultz, author of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die adventure journalist and photographer Peter Potterfield; and National Geographic ADVENTURE photographer Peter McBride.

The Global Beats stage will feature entertainment from around the world, almost nonstop, including the Mariam Tanzania Dancers; Kaua'i Hawaiian Entertainment; Royal Scottish Country Dance Society; Oneida Nation; Filipiniana Dance Troupe; Jasmine Jahal Dancers on Saturday; Hooked on Drums, the Natya Dance Theater and That Tall Juggler Guy will join the lineup on Sunday.

The event is presented by the Chicago Tribune with National Geographic Adventure magazine as the National Magazine Sponsor, the Travel Channel as Supporting Sponsor and the Philippine Department of Tourism as Featured Destination. It is being held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (formerly the Rosemont Convention Center). Hours are 10:30 AM-5:30 PM on Saturday; 11 AM-4:30 PM on Sunday. Tickets are $15.00, and may be purchased online at http://www.adventuresexpo.com/.

The Adventures in Travel Expo (ATE) is the world’s largest active and adventure travel show for the trade and consumers. In 2009, it will be presented in five U.S. cities: Chicago, January 10-11; Los Angeles, February 14-15; Washington, DC, February 21-22. New York City, October 10-11; Seattle, December 5-6. ATE highlights responsible, experiential, active, adventurous, cultural and heritage travel with exhibitors, presentations, hands-on adventure experiences and cultural performances. For more information, visit the Adventures in Travel Expo website at www.adventureexpo.com.

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--adventureexpo.com

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This is the Philippine booth. Aside from being the largest booth (well maybe aside from beadiver.com which has its own scuba diving pool), it also has the best location--right behind the registration area. That strategic location, along with extensive visual exposure through banners and different kinds of advertisements, comes with being this year's Featured Destination.

Moreover, this is also the kickoff point of an extensive "Adventure Philippines" campaign across North America and Europe.

This is the rear view of our booth. It has a mini-theater with an LCD projector. We used that for our film and music video screenings, free "hilot" massage, and cultural performances.

It's really cool to see these little ones perform native dances. I like the fact that they are still in touch with their native culture despite the fact that most of them are born and raised here.

You can just imagine how amused the Caucasians were seeing our young cultural dancers perform native dances. We were standing there along with the huge crowd and clapping wildly like proud parents. It was just one of those moments when you feel so proud to be part of something that has done something big.

Of course another big hit here is our authentic "hilot" massage. Randy here had to go beyond the show hours just to finish his long list of those who want to find out how good he is with his hands.

Co-founder of Adventure Travelers Society Lisa Greyhill at the Adventure and Travel Theater. She visited the Philippines recently and had the time of her life. She was more than happy to give educational seminars on the must-see adventure destinations in the Philippines on both show days.

We also had a very good exposure at the Global Beats Stage.

...and the crowd loved it!

Patricia Schultz, author of "1,000 Places to See Before You Die" was also on hand to give educational seminars to adventure traveler wannabes. Local columnists from Inquirer, Star, and Manila Bulletin were also there to cover the event and interview her.

Team Philippines.
For those who do not know, that two days required three months of non-stop, nerve-wracking, grueling hard work. Of course we had so much fun organizing and facilitating all the activities during the event. Plus it gives a wonderful feeling being able to serve and represent your country in a big way even if you're miles and miles away. Imagine if those 12,000 people who came to know about the Philippines told two of their friends about it--even if only one percent of that number actually managed to book a flight to the Philippines, that would still create a substantive ripple of change.

Still, with all that said, I am so glad the whole thing is over! A breather is all I need before Our World-Underwater on Feb 20-22.

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at shempre all work and no play makes gracee a dull girl. (Well actually nauto lang talaga ko ni Micah para sumakay sa camel.)



Natalo si Micah by a millisecond! Hehe ang walang hiyang yun, hindi man lang pinagbigyan yung bata!



Waaah! Pussy, ayaw sumale!