2008 International Destination Expo

ASTA Announces Evening Events at the 2008 International Destination Expo
Alexandria, Va., Dec. 21, 2007 - ASTA's 2008 International Destination Expo (IDE) will take place April 12-16 in Lyon, France at the Lyon Convention Center. While in Lyon, ASTA invites IDE attendees to take part in four evenings of exploring that which makes Lyon so unique through food, fashion and culture.

"There is no better way to become an expert in a destination than to experience it first hand," said Cheryl Hudak, CTC, ASTA president and CEO. "These events will immerse agents completely in everything Lyon has to offer, allowing them to sell the destination with authority."

Saturday, April 12, after the opening general session, the Lyon Convention Bureau invites IDE delegates to experience French cuisine at the Cite Centre de Congrès. At the seated dinner guests will experience the best of Lyon food and wine from the origin of the ingredients to the steps in preparation.

The Hotel de Ville will host a dinner for IDE attendees on Sunday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. The beautifully ornate Hotel de Ville, Lyon's Town Hall, offers the chance to see Old Europe at its best. From gorgeous chandeliers to gold leaf mirrors to fantastic artwork, this venue will be a feast for the senses. It's not just for show, however, as the City of Lyon will offer you the chance to see, up close and personal, the chefs of Lyon as they prepare amazing dishes in these beautiful salons. Agents will have the chance to explore and enjoy the decor as they taste the cuisine of Lyon and surrounding areas. The chefs will explain the preparation of the food and provide a sampling from the wide variety of offerings.

French department store Printemps will host an IDE evening on Monday, April 14, just for delegates, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Attendees will get to see the latest in European fashions and decor and to enjoy a special discount. Light refreshments will be served. Afterwards, a dine-around will be hosted, allowing agents to sample restaurants of Lyon.

On the final evening of the conference, the host of IDE 2009, South Africa, will offer an evening of South African food and entertainment. Enjoy a sneak preview of the wonders that await you in South Africa during the 2009 International Destination Expo and take advantage of the opportunity to sign up early for the conference. This event will give agents a chance to end their trip by networking with new contacts and planning for next year's IDE.

The International Destination Expo is the best place to become an expert in selling European vacations. The registration fee is $289 is you register on or after Dec. 22. To learn more about the International Destination Expo and to register, visit www.ASTA.org/expo.

The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.

ABOUT ASTA
ASTA's (American Society of Travel Agents) mission is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable, growing and a rewarding place to work, invest and do business.

ALICIA KEYS, HALLE TONY GARNIER, 03/03/2008

Alicia Keys continues to stun fans and critics alike with her sultry singing and composition talents. To list her numerous awards would be quite lengthy but it goes to say that few doubt her talent. With a new album in 2007 entitled As I Am, you will not want to miss your opportunity to catch this diva live in concert.
Concert begins at 8:00 pm
Address: Halle Tony Garnier20, place Antonin Perrin69007 Lyon, France

France to Honor Louis Langrée with the Order of Arts and Letters

Kareen Rispal, French Cultural Counselor in the United States, confered upon Louis Langrée the insignia of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters in the prestigious halls of the Metropolitan Opera. Born in Mulhouse to a musical family, Louis Langrée studied at the Strasbourg conservatory and began his career as choir master at the Opéra National de Lyon. He gained further experience at the festivals of Aix-en-Provence and Bayreuth and then worked at the Orchestre de Paris. Named music director of the Orchestre de Picardie in 1993, then of the Opéra National de Lyon. In 2001 he took the reins of the Orchestre philharmonique de Liège until 2006. He is constantly invited to appear with the best orchestras, ensembles specializing in period instruments, and preeminent opera houses.



New York got to know yhim better in 2003, when Jane Moss named him Music Director of the Mostly Mozart Festival. He is known for his performances of Mozart and Beethoven and won the best musical achievement award in 2002 for the presentation of Fidelio at the Glyndebourne Festival. Mr Langrée is also a specialist in French symbolist music and German romantics and post-romantics. He commands a large repertoire ranging from the 18th century to contemporary music, notably works by the French composers Nicolas Bacri, Eric Tanguy and Suzanne Giraud. He shines with signature works from French repertoire, such as Carmen and Pelléas et Mélisande, not to mention lesser-known works such as Zémire et Azor by Grétry, Les Brigands by Offenbach, Ariane et Barbe-Bleue by Dukas, and Hamlet by Thomas.

Tourism Professionals to meet in Lyon, France.

ASTA’s 2008 International Destination Expo (IDE) will take place April 12-16 in Lyon, France at the LyonConvention Center. This expo will assemble travel agents and exhibitors in Lyon for a week of educational courses, networking and sightseeing. In 2008, IDE will focus primarily on French and Western European niche travel. The educational courses will feature a first-hand, experiential approach, allowing agents to make better recommendations to their clients once they return home. IDE provides agents with a chance to meet product and destination suppliers who do not typically attend trade shows in the United States.

“Agents attending IDE will benefit from the many courses offered and the new experiential approach,” said Cheryl Hudak, CTC, ASTA president and CEO. “Having an agent who speaks from experience is comforting to travelers and reassures them that they are creating an itinerary that will reflect their interests and personality.”

All attendees will have the opportunity to take the France Destination Specialist course. This course, courtesy of Maison de la France, is designed to furnish agents with a thorough understanding of France’s history, accommodations, transportation systems, dining and more. This course will also compliment the other seminars which focus on niche travel in the region.
“We’ve had a great response to the France Certified Agent program since its inception in 2003. Over 1500 travel agents have enrolled and to date there are 456 France Certified Agents who have passed the test and gone on our fam trips,” said Jean-Philippe Pérol, Director of the Americas of Maison de la France/The French Government Tourist Office. “Being able to sell France with confidence is a great asset for the agents and for tourism to France. One of the key benefits agents receive to support their sales would be to be listed in the France Certified Agent database accessible from the homepage of our Web site, www.franceguide.com/us, that the public can search to find a certified agent near them, and much more.”

For attendees who would like to help their clients plan the perfect honeymoon, there will be a Western European honeymoons course that will show agents how to plan clients’ unforgettable honeymoons to this popular and romantic region. In addition to the niche market seminars, IDE will feature seminars hosted by exhibiting suppliers such as Midi Hotel Barges and others. Keeping with the “experiential” theme, attendees will learn all there is to know about river and barge cruising by touring a river barge, highlighting everything that this form of cruising offers clients.

European rail travel is an option that many agents may not think to offer clients. The IDE course on rail travel will teach agents how to design a tour package that includes multiple cities, allowing tourists to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the art of traveling as much as the actual destinations. For agents whose clients are interested in a more adventurous vacation, IDE will offer courses on soft adventure such as: hiking, biking and various snow sports. The informational wine and gastronomy courses offered at the International Destination Expo will give agents a true taste of the region.
The International Destination Expo is the best place to become an expert in selling European vacations. The registration i on or before Dec. 21. To learn more about the International Destination Expo or to register, visit asta.org.

To the residence of Lyon

Hello,

This effort is to assist openning to doors to the greater world of who you are as well as others through Inter - Cultural Communications via the internet.

This blog and the associated website is based upon the principle of cultural democracy. What this means is that you the community - online ( because your are now using a computer to read this ) user has the means to impact your community with others through your contribution to what is being published on the internet about your community. A community has many voices, and those who are not aware of either your community or the diversity among your very own people should be likewise known.

This is a mirror reflection of us all, and depicts the very differences each community has, which then becomes the very scoiocultural richness and valuable assests we need to maintain a rich an full life -individually. Moreover, this effort was started as a result when suggestions were offered by two Cornell student's emails - right after I place Ithaca Night Life ( NightLife ), NY online. Since then I have cover many other communities, and have enlisted help from the very same communities I have covered in my Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC series of blogs, journalsites and websites. Emails come in daily.

Instructions:

First go the main Hub - Website :

Then go to these following websites:

National and Internation Social Dance Registry to register your community's weekly socials. Offer suggestions to Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC Art Gallery - Galleries, Artists and Art Studio Guides, Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC - Night Sport Clubs - Nite Spots Guide, and suggest listings and others items not being covered.

Please note the links below. They are intended to open a portal in which you may also offer suggestions, or comments. Everything will be reviewed.

Well thats all for now. I will do some addtional posting, as well as post some of your emails - with you permission of course.

Yours,

Mr. Roger M. Christian
Ithaca, New York

Links:

The Ithaca Cultural Directory .
Cultural Democracy an Evolving Essay .

International Section:

World of Dance Visions.Central New York's only International Dance E-Zine. All style of dance are included, as well as National and International events are also posted.The International Cultural Fiesta Movement.A movement based upon the artisitic implementation of Intercultural communications to assist American students at institutions of higher education about cultures of .The International Students / Scholars Intercultural Resources Network the world by International Students-Scholars themseleves.The network operation of the International Cultural Fiesta Movement.The International Dance Resources.A central resource on dance - which also has service links to other site by International service organizations who services specifically the International Student-Scholar.The National and International Social Dance Registry. Do you know of a weekly social dance anywhere in Europe ? Then goto this WebSite and report it in. Thank you RMC/Editor.Israel Information Center IthacaCultural Zionism's WebSitePro Israel - Pro Peace: This is a balanced perception in as much as you can not be for one and not the other. After 9/11, I started to implement several actions to develop a renewed environment from which International safety of a free - people can be possible. On you right is The Israeli Information Center Ithaca WebSite [ A Cultural Zionist WebSite ]. Below is the Foundation for Arab Israeli Reconciliation-Ithaca, New York which is based on developing an ehtnographic perception of commonality within the peoples of the region itself. This is to assist those within the private sector who know both Israeli and Arab alike in the mediation of establishing positive relationships between them...and only that. Whether it is talking, or debating on soccur, dating, coffee or the latest computer solf-ware. This is far more important, in as much as it establishes the human assests necessary for the success of a peace treaty when it comes. Mr. Roger Meredith Christian.In addition: The Foundation For Arab - Israeli Reconciliation-Ithaca, New York [ Hub - WebSite ], and to join one of the most important MSN discussion groups @ [ MSN - GroupSite ]. The Israel Information Center Ithaca [ Hub - WebPage ], and to join this MSN Cultural Zionism discussion group @ [ MSN - GroupSite ]. .Indymedia dot org ~ Cultural Democracy in Action by Roger M. Christian w/ Paris Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC .The Central [ WebSite ] " For " Cultural Democracy: An INTERNET tool in the facilitation of the development of The Center for Cultural Democracy, Ithaca, New York. For those who are aware of this contemporary termenology goto ...Cultural Democracy, An Evolving Essay by Roger M. Christian.Indy Media Article on Cultural Democracy in Action.Foundation for Arab - Israeli ReconciliationIthaca, New YorkWhy This ?A general consensus is first needed to bring about the importance of private individual efforts to construct better ethnographic center relationships between the peoples of the Middle East, in very small, but very significant steps to achieve real security.Ardice Paris Night Life RMC BlogSite:New-Links.Info Member the-falcon1 A link back to Night Life Links [ BlogSite

Additional Internet Resources:

Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Academia - Academic Institutions of Higher Education and Research: [ WebSite ]

.................. A Les Avant Garde WebSite which depicts recent trends in genre - garde such artistic motifs to give iinspiration to children's minds.

Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC Art Gallery - Galleries. Artist, adn Art Studios Guide: [ WebSite ]

Links:

[ Full Xplosion ]

Additional Internet Resources:

Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Academia - Academic Institutions of Higher Education and Research: [ WebSite ]

.................. A Les Avant Garde WebSite which depicts recent trends in genre - garde such artistic motifs to give iinspiration to children's minds.

Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC Art Gallery - Galleries. Artist, adn Art Studios Guide: [ WebSite ]

Links:

[ Full Xplosion ]

Welcome !

Lyon Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC
Adjustable WebCam Lyon [ CamSite ]


Lyon, one the scenic be ' jeweled cities of Central France - Plan interactif de Lyon. Pour locaviser une adresse ou on equipement, pour decouvie ....Consultez les offres d' emploisde la Mairie de Lyon, et deposez vos - The offical WebSite of The Village of Lyon [ WebSite ]. Ecole Centrale de Lyon - Institut National de Sciences - L'INSA de Lyon, Institut National Sciencs pluridisciplinaire et internationale au coeur de l' espare - One of Lyon's major cultural and educational institutions [ W ebSite ]. This - plus the webcam shots - gives you the perception of this cultural jeweled community.

Lyon night Life ( NightLife ), RMC is part of growing Infra - National City Cultural Communications BlogSite program between the French cities of Lyon and Paris [ WebSite ]. Morover, this is also a part of the much larger Inter - City Cultural Communications WebSite program between the cities of Paris, France, and Ithaca, New York [ WebSite ].

Beyond the goals of establishing Inter - City Cultural Communications is the broader goal of focusing on the issue of " Cultural Democracy ". It is from here where other related interests are generated to furhter focus on the impact of " Cultural Democracy " upon Euro pean Nationalism and its larger implactions to European Unity. Lurking over the horizon, this also touches upon the significance of this issue in its overall affects it will have upon The United States.

Yours,

Mr. Roger M. Christian

Existing and then growing networks:

Ithaca Cultural Directory [ WebSite ] International Cultural ( Dance ) Resources [ WebSite ]
Euro - Quest [ HubSite ]

Paris Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC

EuroQuestRMC/Paris - EuroQuestRMC/Links - AOLHometown/Paris - AOLHomeTwon/Links - Yahoo-Geocities/Paris - Yahoo-Geocities/European-Cities-Index Paris Night Life RMC [ BlogSite ]


To Take Flight and Dance WebSite ~ National and International Sports Fan Links Page ~ Central WebSite for Cultural Democracy WebSite ~ The - Falcon ! WebSite ~ Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC Theatre - Theater Guides WebSite ~ Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC Art Gallery - Galleries, Artists, and Art Studios Guide WebSite ~ Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Sports Night Clubs ~ Nite Spots Guide WebSite~ Dance Ithaca E - Magazine WebSite ~ World of Dance Visions - Special to Dance Ithaca E Magazine WebSite ~ Dance is Fun in Ithaca WebSite ~ Ithaca Socials and Social Dance WebSite ~ Central Website " For " Cultural Democracy WebSite ~ Cultural Democracy Network WebSite ~ Du Avant Garde WebSite ~ Fashions - Trend Setters / Trendsetter WebSite ~ National and International Sports Fan WebSite ~ Cultural Zionism Get - Togethers WebSite ~ International Students Scholars Intercultural Resources Promotions Website EuroSphere of Nations ~ Beijing Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC WebSite ~ Tokyo Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC WebSite ~ International and National Entertainment - Cabarets WebSite ~ Dance Community Get - Togethers WebSite ~ Dance ithaca E - Magazine WebSite ~ National and International Social Dance Registry WebSite ~ Ballroom Dance Cities ( City ) WebSite ~ Swing Dance Cities WebSite ~ Baghdad Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Persian Gulf Veterans ~ Recommended Accomodations and Retreats~ Notes ~ Atlanta Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Binghamton Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Gdansk Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Cortland Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Rochester Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Sayre Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Buffalo Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Montreal Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Elmira Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Baghdad Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Persian Gulf Veterans ~ Syracuse Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Shanghai Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Tel Aviv Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Madrid Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ ~ Chicago Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Copenhagen Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Dallas Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Ithaca Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Mr. Roger M. Christian's Tri ~ Falcon and Dove Productions Website and Ithaca Dance Story Shorts for Ballroom, Ballet, Belly Dance, Modern Dance, Latin Dance, Folk Dance, Irish Step Dancing, Swing - Dan " Z " ing top " da " Jazz Website ~ Links Page = http://hometown.aol.com/ithacadance/Links.html and http://hometown.aol.com/danceithaca/Links.html Los Angeles Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ London Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ The City of Miami and Miami Beach Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Miami Danza WebSite ~ New York City Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Toronto Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Washington DC Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ http://hometown.aol.com/latinadanza/Links.html Athens Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ l Berlin Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Foundation " For " Arab Israeli - Reconciliation - Ithaca, New York Website ~ Kiev Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Moscow Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Paris Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Olso Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Prague ( Praha ) Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Rome Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Links Page = Salsa Danza Website ~ http://hometown.aol.com/salsadanza/links.html Hometown American Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC series Website ~ Hometown European Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC series Websites ~ Links Page = http://www.geocities.com/israeli_tikvah/Links_Page.html Geocities Tri - Falcon and Dove Dance Academy WebSite ~ Links Page = http://www.geocities.com/falconstrike2000/links.html http://groups.msn.com/NightLifeRMC/links.msnw Dance is Fun in Ithaca Website ~ l Dance Roger M. Christian's various directories WebSite http://hometown.aol.com/danishfalcon/Links.html Latina Danza Website Israel Information Center Ithaca Website ~ Dance Websites ~ Links Page = Ithaca Socials Website ~ Links Page = Childrens - Parent Website ~ http://groups.msn.com/EuroQuestRMC/links.msnw http://www.geocities.com/kidon_avramchaim/FAIR-s_Links.html Recommended Dance Bands and Disc Jockeys Ithaca ~ Las Vegas Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Shanghai Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Nanking Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Samba Dance Classes Ithaca, and The Arts, Syracuse, Elmira, Binghamton TriFalconDove:. Ballroom Dance Class / Classes Links Page [ WebPage ] ~ Latin Dance Class / Classes Ithaca Links Page [ WebPage ] hometown.aol.com/latinadanza2000/Samba.html TriFalconDove:. Ballroom Dance Class / Classses Ithaca Links Page [ WebPage ] ~ Latin Dance Class / Classes Ithaca Links hometown.aol.com/latinadanza2000/page4.html Mambo Latina Danza de Arte Ithaca, New York - Havana, Cuba Links Page TriFalconDove:. Ballroom Dance Class / Classes Ithaca Links Page [ WebPage ] ~ Latin Dane Class / Classes Ithaca Links Page hometown.aol.com/latinadanza2000/Mambo.html - Alexandria Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ Israel Information Center Ithaca ~ Human Honors for Culture and Science ~ Las Vegas Night Life ( NightLife ), RMC ~ ~ Roger's Online Diary ~ Ithaca Wedding Album ( Sampler ) ~ Foundation for Arab Israeli Reconciliation ~ Links Page ~ Mesorah ~ My Personal Site ~ TFDDA Photos ~