February 2010

Scouts Across America Celebrate Centennial Milestone

IRVING, Texas, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ — When the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was officially incorporated on February 8, 1910, Americans were driving Stanley steam automobiles, earning an average of $750 a year, and paying little more than 30 cents for a gallon of milk. The national debt was a mere billion dollars. While all of these things seem out of place today, the BSA remains a vital organization with a mission and purpose that is even more relevant today than ever before.

Throughout 2010, the Boy Scouts of America celebrates its centennial anniversary milestone with a rallying call that will be heard across the nation as Scouts gather in their communities to pay tribute to the rich history and tradition of Scouting.  

Having served more than 100 million members since its founding, the Boy Scouts of America has made a lasting and positive imprint on the fabric of the nation. Its mission: “Preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law,” enables Scouting to address many issues that are important to young people and families, including health, civility, education, leadership, diversity, and service to others.

“This country needs strong leaders and healthy young people more than ever before, and that is what Scouting is all about,” said Bob Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America. “This is our time in history to remind the nation that Scouting is more vibrant, more vital, and more relevant than ever before. Every day, millions of Scouts and adult leaders make a huge difference in our society. We look forward to continuing that commitment in the next century.”

Though firmly rooted in an unchanged set of core values, the BSA is committed to remaining current and relevant by adapting how it delivers programs and reaches it audiences, including:

• Going green! In addition to publishing the first “green” Boy Scout Handbook in 2009, BSA magazines Boys’ Life and Scouting have been certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
• Multicultural outreach: In 2008, the BSA launched a national Hispanic Initiatives program that aims to increase the number of Hispanic Scouts, adult volunteers, and professional staff. In its first year, the program saw an increase of more than 30,000 Hispanic Scouts.  Additionally, the BSA has publications in 21 different languages.
• Adopting social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter as core communications tools to reach volunteers and connect with Scouts.
• Updating the Scouting uniforms to include a cell-phone pocket, offer SPF 50+ sun protection, and keep moisture away from the skin.

The BSA centennial celebration goes far beyond a day on the calendar. Mazzuca pointed to a number of national events that have already helped kick off Scouting’s 100th Anniversary year. On January 1, the BSA kicked off its centennial with an award-winning float in the Tournament of Roses Parade, and launched Adventure Base 100, a mobile, immersive Scouting campus. Adventure Base 100 is currently embarking on a more than 40-city nationwide tour, and features a traveling Scout Museum, an IMAX-like video in its GOScouting! Dome, a high-adventure ropes course, and a variety of interactive displays and activities. At any time, from anywhere in the country, the public can experience Adventure Base 100 virtually, and find out where it’s going next, at www.adventurebase100.org.  

In all, eight major national 100th Anniversary engagement programs have been designed to reintroduce Scouting to the next generation of young leaders and reconnect millions of alumni with the organization. BSA councils across the country are actively engaged in local 100th Anniversary Celebration programs. Just a few examples include:

• The Central Florida Council’s “Scouting for Change” program to raise funds to build schools in Africa
• The Evangeline Area Council in Louisiana spearheading one of the largest tree-plantings in the state’s history
• The nearly 1,000 guests that will join the Patriot’s Path Council at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum as the council recognizes outstanding Scouting citizens, and TLC’s “Cake Boss” delivers an edible replica of the McKenzie Scout Statue.

“During this year we recognize the achievements of our past, but our focus is on the future of millions of young Scouts, their communities, and the nation as a whole,” Mazzuca said. “Scouting is ready for the next 100 years!”

About the Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America is the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. The Scouting organization is composed of 2.7 million youth members between the ages of 7 and 20, 1.1 million volunteers and nearly 300 local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.scouting.org.

More information about 100 Years of Scouting can be found at www.scouting.org/100years.

SOURCE Boy Scouts of America

RELATED LINKS
http://www.scouting.org
http://www.adventurebase100.org
http://www.scouting.org/100years

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Diana Pfaff

972-252-7476

dpfaff@irvingtexas.com

IRVING, TEXAS - More than 100 North Texas hotels, including several in Irving, are offering special incentives, such as attrition-free clauses, for group meetings booked and held in Irving and the Dallas/Fort Worth area through June 2010.

Designed to address meeting and event planners’ most essential priorities, the DFW Meet Now Promise co-op program includes the following incentives:

• Competitive rates and proposals from Irving area hotels with a guarantee of fully-waived room attrition.
• 20 percent discount from participating ground transportation providers.
• Additional group discounts and comps on American Airlines.
• A convenient on-line solution for the meeting planner by visiting where they can register their RFP on line.  Client preferences will be matched to venues, hotels and meeting requirements. For a link to search participating hotels and submit an RFP, visit: www.irvingtexas.com/attritionfree

What is attrition and why do hotels charge attrition?

• Attrition clauses are a part of standard hotel contracts used to ensure that organizations fulfill their contracted obligations.

• Attrition fees are applied when a conference group cannot fill at least 80%, or an otherwise agreed upon percentage, of the contracted number of rooms.

• The organization is responsible for using a minimum number of sleeping rooms per contract and if those minimums are not met, attrition penalties, meeting room and exhibit hall charges will apply.

• Attrition fees are compensation to the hotel for the rooms that might have been sold had they not been removed from the market by contract.

About Irving and the Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Located immediately adjacent to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and in between Dallas and Fort Worth, Irving, Texas, (www.irvingtexas.com) boasts more than 75 hotels and nearly 12,000 rooms.  Las Colinas, a 12,000-acre master-planned community within the city of Irving, is known worldwide for its quality and uniqueness. The area has a total taxable base of more than $7 billion and is home to 8,000+ companies, 30 Fortune 500 companies, plus the world headquarters of four. In the next three years, the area will see more than $4 billion in hotel, retail, entertainment, office, residential and meeting facility development.

The D/FW area is the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the nation, the #1 visitor destination in the state and a leading convention destination.  DFW International Airport, a successful collaborative venture between North Texas cities, is now the world’s third-busiest airport, offering nearly 1,750 flights daily and providing non-stop service to 134 domestic and 37 international destinations worldwide.

For more information, contact the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau at 972-252-7476 or on-line at www.irvingtexas.com/attritionfree.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Diana Pfaff

972-252-7476 or 800-247-8464

dpfaff@irvingtexas.com

IRVING, Texas (January 2010) – As the travel industry begins to recover, enticing group and business meetings has become increasingly competitive. The Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau has launched its Client Perks program to address the growing need to offer value and benefits beyond the normal bevy of services CVBs typically provide.

The Client Perks program includes some of the Irving CVB’s most popular incentives and discount programs including the DFW Meet Now Promise attrition-free program, the Irving CVB Business Incentive Program, transportation discounts and group discounts to various professional sports including NBA, NHL and MLB tickets. The Client Perks program can be found at www.irvingtexas.com/clientperks.

Attrition-Free Program and Travel Discounts

Through the Irving CVB and the DFW Meet Now Promise program, any new group meeting booked and consumed at one of the more than 150 participating hotels between now and June 30, 2010, is eligible for an attrition-free room contract, special discounts on air transportation, and discounts on ground transportation. 

Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau Business Incentive Program

Groups that book an Irving hotel through the Irving CVB during 2010, for select future event dates, qualify to receive a rebate to apply towards their master account. Use these special incentives to upgrade your food and beverage options, cover transportation costs or simply offset costs. 

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Discounted Tickets and Group Rates to Professional Sporting Events

The Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau has partnered up with the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, the NHL’s Dallas Stars and MLB’s Texas Rangers to offer special group rates and discounts to games in the Dallas area. Some of these special rates can be combined with customized packages to enhance the group outing.

About Irving, Texas

Located immediately adjacent to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and in between Dallas and Fort Worth, Irving, Texas, (www.irvingtexas.com) boasts more than 75 hotels and nearly 12,000 rooms.  Las Colinas, a 12,000-acre master-planned community within the city of Irving, is known worldwide for its quality and uniqueness. The area has a total taxable base of more than $5 billion and is home to 8,000+ companies, 30 Fortune 500 companies, plus the world headquarters of four. In the next three years, the area will see more than $4 billion in hotel, retail, entertainment, office, residential and meeting facility development.  For more information visit: www.irvingtexas.com.    

For more information, contact Diana Pfaff at 800-247-8464, 214-236-8885 or via e-mail to dpfaff@irvingtexas.com. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       

Contact:  Diana Pfaff

800-247-8464, 972-252-7476

dpfaff@irvingtexas.com

 IRVING, TEXAS –  Recognizing the growing financial burden corporate planners are currently facing in planning and executing group meetings, Irving, Fort Worth and Dallas meeting space vendors, along with the surrounding area hospitality community in Dallas/Fort Worth, have launched several offers and incentives specifically geared for group business at an Irving, Fort Worth and Dallas convention hotel.

$5.00 Rebates Per Consumed Room Night

The Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is offering rebates to groups that book in Irving through the Irving CVB between now and  December 31, 2009, for any future event dates.  These qualifying groups will receive rebate of $5.00 per consumed room night towards their master account. Event and meeting planners are able to use these funds in whatever way is most appropriate for their organization, such as electing to offset costs or upgrade options with food and beverage, or pay for transportation or other conference costs. For more information, on this offer or other Irving, Fort Worth or Dallas meeting space incentives, please contact the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.irvingtexas.com/shared/contact.

Attrition-Free Program and Travel Discounts

Through the Irving CVB and the DFW Meet Now Promise program, any new group meeting booked in an Irving, Fort Worth, Arlington or Dallas meeting space, at one of the more than 150 participating hotels between now and June 30, 2010, is eligible for an attrition-free room contract, special discounts on air transportation, and discounts on ground transportation.  Visit www.irvingtexas.com/attritionfree for more details about this Irving, Fort Worth, Arlington and Dallas meeting space program.

Group Promotions at Irving, Fort Worth, and Dallas Meeting Space Hotels

Several Irving hotels are offering special promotions for group meetings.  The recently-open NYLO Dallas – Las Colinas is offering discounts for groups that includes 20% off A/V rentals; 50% off meeting room rental; and a 10% discount on food and beverage. NYLO is also offering incentives for guest rooms that vary from spa certificates to a NYLO NYTE bed depending on the amount of guest rooms booked. To find out more about this promotion, and other Irving, Fort Worth and Dallas convention hotel offers, visit www.irvingtexas.com/meetings/hotdeals and select the “for meeting professionals” section.

Any of these offers can also be combined for maximum benefit and savings.  The Irving CVB provides turn-key services for any meeting or group including gathering bids, assisting with site selection, developing guest itineraries, providing marketing and media assistance and more - all at no cost.

About Irving, Texas

Located immediately adjacent to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and in between Dallas and Fort Worth, Irving, Texas, (www.irvingtexas.com) boasts more than 75 hotels and nearly 12,000 rooms. Irving, Fort Worth and Dallas meeting space hotels offer convention attendees convenience and affordability.  Las Colinas, a 12,000-acre master-planned community within the city of Irving, is known worldwide for its quality and uniqueness. The area has a total taxable base of more than $7 billion and is home to 8,000+ companies, 30 Fortune 500 companies, plus the world headquarters of four. In the next three years, the area will see more than $4 billion in hotel, retail, entertainment, office, residential and meeting facility development.  For more information about Irving, Fort Worth and Dallas meeting space visit: www.irvingtexas.com.    

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