Take the First Step: Attend Meet, Plan, Go!
Austin | Boston | Chicago | Minneapolis | New York City
San Diego | San Francisco | Seattle | South Florida | Toronto
Tickets on sale now!
On October 16, 2012, we will be hosting our third annual nationwide event in 10 cities to inspire people to fulfill their career break and long-term travel dreams – and you can get your tickets now!
For less than the cost of a movie and popcorn – just $20 – you can take the first step toward making your travel dreams a reality!
The event will offer participants the opportunity to MEET inspirational speakers and like-minded travelers; get motivation, contacts and resources necessary to PLAN the trip of a lifetime; and start taking concrete steps forward to GO on that global adventure.
“Because we live in a society that doesn’t find value in taking time off, we wanted to create a community for people who want to break out of the norm and travel for an extended period of time,” says co-founder Sherry Ott. “This is the only seminar out there designed for people who are looking to do long term independent travel.”
Every event will feature individuals and travel experts who have fulfilled their own world travel dreams. Speakers will address the main concerns that prevent people from taking a career break, usually centered around financial, career-related, societal, and safety concerns.
What You Get
Breakout sessions will focus on various aspects of long term travel planning such as:
? Preparation checklists
? Packing tips
? Saving money
? How to find volunteer opportunities
? Planning a purposeful itinerary
? Choosing the right insurance, and
? How to find local experiences when you travel.
Each attendee will leave with a wealth of travel information, plus:
? Getting Rid Of It e-book - kickstart your career break planning with this e-book from Warren and Betsy Talbot! In 2008 Warren and Betsy put their decluttering and downsizing skills to the ultimate test: Getting rid of everything to travel around the world. How much travel could your junk buy you? Only one way to find out!
? Electronic Goody Bag full of special discounts and promotions from our sponsors which will help you plan your career break travels.
? The chance to win a trip for 2 to Turkey from our sponsor, Intrepid Travel.
Stay tuned as we will be announcing more giveaways and surprises soon!
What People Are Saying
Over 1,000 people attended last year’s event - 40% of whom were in a trip planning stage pre-event. In a post-event survey, that number rose to 54%.
“It’s so valuable to hear from other people that have gone on these long trips when you’re contemplating going on one yourself.It validates it, and after attending you really feel like you can make the trip a reality sooner than I thought going into it.” - 2011 Chicago attendee
"We were given insightful, honest and practical information from caring, professional travelers who know the ins and outs of long-term travel." - 2011 Toronto attendee
"Phenomenal panels, sponsors and just an all-round great time. Instant inspiration!" - 2011 New York attendee
“We want career breaks to be more acceptable in America,” says Ott. “In fact, it is our goal to see a career break on every resume. And with the support of our 10 inspiring hosts, their panelists, and our sponsors, including Intrepid Travel, Insure My Trip, BootsnAll, and International TEFL Academy we are making great inroads to achieving that goal.”
Buy Your Ticket Today
Austin | Boston | Chicago | Minneapolis | New York City
San Diego | San Francisco | Seattle | South Florida | Toronto
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.