2011 Event Recap
October 18, 2011
On October 18, 2011, more than 1,200 people joined us for our 2nd evening of Meet, Plan, Go! events across North America. And in addition to our 17 Kick-Ass Hosts, more then 70 experienced career breakers and travel experts helped inspire our record breaking crowd.
“For anyone who expresses interest in a career break, or long-term travel, this is a “10?, and I might even say it should be required.”
Locations
This year we had 10 returning cities and welcomed 7 new ones on board, for a total of 17 locations, including:
Austin | Boston | Chicago | Denver | Honolulu | Las Vegas | Los Angeles
Minneapolis | New Orleans | New York City | Orlando | Portland
San Francisco | Seattle | St. Louis | Toronto | Washington DC
“Going to the 2011 Meet, Plan, Go! event was more than I expected. To be around so many people who want to travel and to talk to and listen to people who have indeed traveled in bigger ways than I had considered was mind-opening and thrilling.”
Hosts & Panelists
Career Breakers come in every shape and size. They come from a variety of backgrounds and places. And most importantly, they all come to the decision because of different reasons.
They are solo travelers – they are couple travelers – they even travel with their families. They are 28 – they are 58. They are volunteers – they are adventurers. They were tired of their jobs – they were laid off from their jobs. They faced critical times in their lives, like cancer and divorce – they decided that there was no better time than now. They were our hosts and panelists.
We were fortunate to have enlisted 17 well-known travel bloggers and experienced career breakers throughout the country to facilitate these events in their home cities along with more than 70 panelists and speakers.
Together they provided inspiration to our audience, as well as their advice on how to realize the dream of extended travel.
“I went to the Meet, Plan, Go! event to feel the electrical charge that is contagious amongst travelers. The conversation is easy and excited, like a perfect first date where it’s all kismet and kindred spirits.”
Sponsors
We sought sponsors whose products and services would best suit our career break audience and were thrilled to have Intrepid Travel, Hostelling International, and GoMio join us on a national level. (Learn more about our national sponsors)
In addition, we had many great local sponsors who offered information and services like medical insurance, travel gear, storage facilities, and TEFL courses.
This year we also introduced an “e-Goody bag featuring our National and Premium Local Sponsors.
The “e” in e-goody bag stands for two things: electronic & eco-friendly. By sending it out electronically through email post-event, we were eco-friendly in not producing thousands of pieces of paper and collateral that was bound to get lost. Thus, attendees would miss out on taking advantage of these great offers.
“I was able to network with numerous different people in the travel industry at the Meet, Plan, Go! event, from bloggers, to travelers, to tour guides. It was informative and very inspirational.”
What Next?
We had such a great response from our attendees and one comment that was heard often was they want to meet more! So as we prepare for our 2012 National Event, we will also be hosting casual local meetups around the country.
Want to be the first to know about our 2012 National Event? Sign-up for our newsletter.
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.