Colorado Ski Country USA

Keynote Speaker - Richard Louv

Richard Louv is an author and futurist focused on nature, family and community. His most recent book, "Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder" (Algonquin), has stimulated an international conversation about the future relationship between children and nature, and has helped spawn a movement that is now moving into the international sphere.

In 2008, he was awarded the Audubon Medal by the National Audubon Society. Past recipients have included Rachel Carson, E.O. Wilson, Robert Redford, and Jimmy Carter. He serves as chairman of the Children & Nature Network (www.cnaturenet.org), an organization helping to build the international movement to connect children with nature. He also serves as honorary co-chair of The National Forum on Children and Nature. Co-chaired by four state governors, the Forum, sponsored by the Conservation Fund, will fund programs around the country designed to get kids outside. He is currently a Visiting Scholar at Clemson University.

Richard has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and many other newspapers and magazines. Between 1984 and 2007, he was a columnist for The San Diego Union-Tribune. He was also a columnist and member of the editorial advisory board for Parents magazine, an adviser to both the Ford Foundation's Leadership for a Changing World award program and the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. He has appeared on the "CBS Morning Show," "Good Morning America," the "Today Show," "CBS Evening News," "NBC Nightly News," NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and many other programs. He speaks frequently to audiences in the United States and abroad.

Richard Louv may be reached by e-mail at rlouv@cts.com or via www.richardlouv.com
The Children & Nature Network: www.cnaturenet.org
For speaking engagements and other information, contact: Jackie Green
Telephone: 323 512-3050 Work fax: 323 512-3090 E-mail Jackie@jgprinc.com

Featured Speaker - Chris Davenport

Chris Davenport, of Aspen Colorado, is considered one of the world's most accomplished big mountain skiers.  A former alpine downhill racer, Chris made his mark in the freeskiing community when he won the 1996 World Extreme Skiing Championships in Alaska.  Over a ten year competitive career Chris won many other events, including a second World Championship title in 2001.

In addition to his competitive prowess, Chris is a contributor to several ski publications, and has been featured in over twenty feature ski films, including those from Warren Miller Entertainment and Matchstick Productions.  Chris is also a TV reporter and color commentator for ESPN and ABC Sports. He is an avid mountaineer, with ascents of summits around the globe under his belt.

During the 2006-2007 ski season Chris became the first person to climb and ski all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks in less than one year. Chris has climbed to 8000 meters on Makalu in the Himalayas and skied first descents on Denali, as well as in the Andes of Chile, and the Southern Alps of New Zealand. When not traveling around the world, Chris recreates around Aspen and Snowmass with his wife Jesse and sons Stian and Topher.  Chris' sponsors include; Kastle Skis, Helly Hansen, Aspen/ Snowmass, Red Bull, Smith, Black Diamond, Clif Bar, Backcountry Access, and Colorado Ski Country.

For more information, photos, stories, and background, log on to www.steepskiing.com

Keynote Speaker - Roger J. Dow

Roger Dow is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Travel Industry Association (TIA), the national umbrella organization representing all segments of the $740 billion U.S. travel and tourism industry.

Mr. Dow will be speaking to Annual Meeting attendees about the power of travel. Travel and tourism is a $740 billion industry that serves as the front door for economic prosperity and public diplomacy. It ranks among the top three industries in every state. Travel and tourism is also uniquely positioned to improve America's image around the world.

A 2007 survey found that people in other countries who have visited the U.S. are 74 percent more likely to have a favorable impression of our country than those who have not visited.

Mr. Dow continues to unify travel and tourism as "one industry with one voice" so it can effectively advocate policies that unleash travel and tourism's economic potential in all communities while harnessing its unprecedented potential for public diplomacy the world over.
Among the many honors he has received, Mr. Dow most recently was recognized by his peers as the 2008 Association Executive of the Year, according to Association Trends. The honor reflected Mr. Dow's success in taking steps to unify the travel industry and greatly increase its effectiveness on Capitol Hill.

TIA promotes and facilitates travel to and within the United States through a substantial advocacy effort that communicates industry interests to policymakers and the media. TIA also continues to host several major events to provide travel industry professionals with expert information that gives them an advantage in the competitive marketplace. TIA is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with an active presence in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Mr. Dow has served in his present position since January 1, 2005. Prior to joining TIA, Dow rose through the ranks at Marriott International in a career that began as a summer lifeguard at the sixth Marriott hotel and spanned 34 years. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President, Global and Field Sales, leading Marriott's 10,000-person worldwide sales organization. His many accomplishments for the company included development of Marriott Rewards, the world's leading frequent traveler program.