Seminar Descriptions - 2013

Speakers/Schedule Subject to Change. Please check back often for updates.

Travel & Adventure Theatre

Destination Theatre

Saturday, January 26

FOCUS: PANAMA
Central America’s best kept secret: Panama
Michelle Payette, Funjet Vacations

Panama is the perfect place for people looking for a tropical vacation off the beaten path. With two coasts, countless islands and Caribbean-style beaches, there is much to choose from for vacations: full service resorts, exotic getaways and so much more! Panama boasts tropical rainforests, gorgeous mountain refuges, beautiful beaches, a Miami-style capital city, adventure tours, and not to mention one of the engineering marvels of the world -- the Panama Canal. Join me in learning about this tropical escape, and you'll quickly see that this is one of Central America's best kept secrets.

Europe Through the Back Door
Rick Steves, Author, Rick Steves’ European Guidebooks and Host, Writer & Producer, Public Television, Rick Steves’ Europe

Join the travel expert – acclaimed for his bestselling guidebook series, public television series, and public radio shows – as he shares all the latest in smart European travel. Freshly back from lots of travels, Rick Steves explains the practical, money-saving ins and outs of independent travel. Packed with tips on getting the most out of every mile, minute, and dollar on your next trip, this is a talk not to miss!

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Developing Your Photographic Vision: The Importance of Looking vs. Seeing
Ralph Velasco, Author, Ralph Velasco on Travel Photography: 101 Tips for Developing Your Photographic Eye & More

Professional travel photographer, author and international photo tour guide Ralph Velasco discusses the important distinction between passively looking for photo opportunities and actively seeing them. Using sample images from a variety of destinations around the world, including India, Egypt, Cuba, Mexico, Cambodia and Europe, he’ll provide information that will help travelers of all skill levels to improve their photography by capturing more and better photo opportunities, no matter the type of camera they use.

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Presented By:

FOCUS: CRUISING 
Family Cruise Adventures and More 
Marianne Hessler, Royal Caribbean International

The Royal Caribbean brand offers 22 ships of innovative hardware, including the Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. World wide destinations to over 300 ports of calls globally. Come and find out why Royal Caribbean is the premier vacation choice for travelers of all ages with a taste for adventure.

Presented By:

FOCUS: LATIN AMERICA
Costa Rica Your Next Destination
Saul Ruiz, Marketing, Costa Rica Tourism Board

Costa Rica: a friend of nature, a friend of the environment, A friend of life, A friend of everyone. A quick view of Costa Rica from the arrival through all the combination of activities that allow the visitors to enjoy mountains, beaches and city in a short time with friendly people.

Presented By:

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Animal Presentation
Presenter: Billie-Jean Beasley, Animal Trainer from SeaWorld Orlando

Meet SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s animal ambassadors, including (penguins, lemur, marmoset monkeys, alligator, opossum and Tegu lizard) and learn important conservation information. Then, hear exciting news about SeaWorld Orlando’s newest attraction, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, opening spring 2013.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment inspires millions, through the power of entertainment, to celebrate, connect with and care for the natural world. The Company has been creating innovative entertainment experiences that blend imagination with nature for more than 50 years and is best known for its 11 U.S. theme parks, attractions that hosted more than 24 million guests in 2012 and include the beloved SeaWorld®, Busch Gardens® and Sesame Place® brands. A global leader in animal care and conservation, SeaWorld Parks has helped rescue over 22,000 animals in need – ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned – for more than four decades.

Join our animal educators at The Chicago Travel & Adventure Show as they share conservation information and introduce animal ambassadors, including penguins, an alligator, opossum, lemur, tegu and marmosets.

Presented By:

FOCUS: WORLDWIDE
The European Experience in 2013! THE SECRET to successful Touring!
Cynthia O'Kelley, Sales Manager, Insight Vacations

What is the European Experience? The Sights, Sounds, and Tastes of Europe is truly a tapestry of cultures, history, art, food ,wine, and charm! Join Cynthia on an inspirational journey to sample the excitement, the discoveries, and the joys that await you on a trip to Europe in 2013 with Insight Vacations. Take a peek at our Italian experiences where we visit the snow covered peaks of the Dolomites and all the way down to Sicily’s boot. Immerse yourself in the warmth of the Spanish sun, the glitter of Paris, and the local hospitality of Ireland. Exotic fare awaits in places like Morocco and history creaks from Russia through the Baltics to the Ukraine Crimea region. You will be inspired to begin planning your own travels to one of our many destinations.

Presented By:

10 Years of the Bachelor: A Reflection on Romance and Travel
Chris Harrison, Host of ABC's The Bachelor

As the longtime host of ABC’s The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, Chris Harrison has seen some of the most shocking moments on television—and traveled to some of the most interesting places in the world. Harrison will reflect on romance and travel over the past 10 years as the host of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

FOCUS: Family Travel
Family Travel Made Easier!
Colleen Kelly, Host and Executive Producer, Family Travel with Colleen Kelly

Tired of the same old family road trip? Feeling like a pack mule? Bucket list overflowing? Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a fledgling jet setter, Colleen Kelly gives you fresh ideas to make your next family vacation a real getaway....even with the kids in tow! Join the host of the PBS series Family Travel with Colleen Kelly for tips on trips and fun family destinations that will please everyone from sulky tween to landmark-lovin' gramps.

Win* a Family Vacation Getaway to Great River Road-Galena Illinois Family Getaway Package including: 2 night stay at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa, subject to availability and good until the end of August 2013 includes: 4 Galena Trolley Tours, 4 Mississippi Explorer Cruises, 4 Trail Rides – Shenandoah Riding Center, $100 gift certificate for Vinny Vinucchi’s restaurant, $250 in destination certificates, that can be used for shopping, dining etc. – Chamber of Commerce gift certificates good at most of our stores, attractions and restaurants, $200 Gas card, 2 Manicure certificates from Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa – Stonedrift Spa, 2 Adults and 2 junior golf play for a round of golf at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa. *Winner must be present to win

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Rick Steves' Italy 
Rick Steves, Author, Rick Steves’ European Guidebooks and Host, Writer & Producer, Public Television, Rick Steves’ Europe

Rick Steves, author of Rick Steves’ Italy - the best-selling international guidebook in the USA, shares practical tips and insights into his favorite country. Italy, while rewarding is also challenging for American travelers. In one fast-moving hour Rick will cover the most important travel skills for enjoying Italy economically and efficiently along with his favorite destinations - from Venice, Florence, and Rome to the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, and the Cinque Terre.

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

FOCUS: WORLDWIDE
AAA Custom Vacation Collection
Deborah Childs, AAA Group Travel Account Executive

AAA Custom Vacation Collection is packed with amazing trips and exceptional values – a vast assortment of carefully crafted vacations characterized by unique experiences and itineraries you won’t find anywhere else. Please join Deborah to hear about the twenty one 2013 itineraries and four 2014 itineraries called the AAA Custom Vacation Collection and find out added savings.

Presented By:

Europe Through the Back Door
Rick Steves, Author, Rick Steves’ European Guidebooks and Host, Writer & Producer, Public Television, Rick Steves’ Europe

Join the travel expert – acclaimed for his bestselling guidebook series, public television series, and public radio shows – as he shares all the latest in smart European travel. Freshly back from lots of travels, Rick Steves explains the practical, money-saving ins and outs of independent travel. Packed with tips on getting the most out of every mile, minute, and dollar on your next trip, this is a talk not to miss!

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Developing Your Photographic Vision: The Importance of Looking vs. Seeing
Ralph Velasco, Author, Ralph Velasco on Travel Photography: 101 Tips for Developing Your Photographic Eye & More

Professional travel photographer, author and international photo tour guide Ralph Velasco discusses the important distinction between passively looking for photo opportunities and actively seeing them. Using sample images from a variety of destinations around the world, including India, Egypt, Cuba, Mexico, Cambodia and Europe, he’ll provide information that will help travelers of all skill levels to improve their photography by capturing more and better photo opportunities, no matter the type of camera they use.

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Presented By:

1,000 Places to See Before You Die
Patricia Schultz, Travel Writer, TV Producer and Author 1,000 Places to See Before You Die and 1,000 Places to See in the USA & Canada Before You Die

Best-selling travel author and TV producer Patricia Schultz discusses some of her favorite destinations from the newly revised 1,000 Places To See Before You Die and 1,000 Places To See in the USA and Canada Before You Die, followed by signing of her books.

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

FOCUS: HOLLAND AMERICA LINE – ALASKA & YUKON CRUISES AND TOURS
Holland America Line, over 65 years in Alaska and the Yukon 
Judy Hall, CTC, Business Development Manager Holland America Line

Learn about what the Great Land has to offer. Few places in the world lend themselves so naturally to combining a cruise with an overland exploration, and we're proud to have been showing guests the best of the Great Land for more than 65 years.

We will feature itineraries that give you the time you need to explore what you’ve come to discover - whether it's the wildlife and scenic wonders of Denali National Park, the vast wilderness and colorful gold rush history of the Yukon, or even farther off the beaten path to Alaska’s finest remote lodges. All of this in addition to an elegant 3-, 4-, or 7-Day Holland America Line cruise through Alaska’s famed Inside Passage!

Presented By: Holland America Line

FOCUS: CRUISING 
Family Cruising Adventures and More 
Marianne Hessler, Royal Caribbean International

The Royal Caribbean brand offers 22 ships of innovative hardware, including the Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. World wide destinations to over 300 ports of calls globally. Come and find out why Royal Caribbean is the premier vacation choice for travelers of all ages with a taste for adventure.

Presented By:

Rick Steves' Italy 
Rick Steves, Author, Rick Steves’ European Guidebooks and Host, Writer & Producer, Public Television, Rick Steves’ Europe

Rick Steves, author of Rick Steves’ Italy - the best-selling international guidebook in the USA, shares practical tips and insights into his favorite country. Italy, while rewarding is also challenging for American travelers. In one fast-moving hour Rick will cover the most important travel skills for enjoying Italy economically and efficiently along with his favorite destinations - from Venice, Florence, and Rome to the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, and the Cinque Terre.

Autograph Signing Immediately Following

Focus: RIVER CRUISING
European River Cruises, A New Way to See the Old World 
Eve Reid, Midwest Sales Manager, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

It’s time to explore those places you’ve been dreaming of. Adventure awaits you onboard your intimate luxury Uniworld river cruise ship. Come join Uniworld and travel through the heart of Europe in comfort and style. Unpack once, settle in, and start your journey to intriguing destinations. Experience all the charm of Europe along with uncompromising value with Uniworld.