Humane Society - Taking Action for Animals '08

Reprinted from the Humane Society

Register Today for the Event of the Summer!


So much has happened for animal protection in the last year, and it's time to gather together to push the cause forward. After the Michael Vick case exposed the world to illegal dogfighting, learn what you can do to combat animal fighting in your community. After the slaughter of sick and crippled cows led to the largest recall of meat in our nation's history, learn what you can do to protect farm animals from cruelty and abuse. As the November elections approach, learn about animal issues that will be on the ballot and how you can pass laws to protect animals.

Registration is now open for Taking Action for Animals 2008, the leading national conference of the animal advocacy movement. I invite you to join me July 19-21 in the Washington, D.C. area for this special event designed to motivate, inspire, and teach advocates from around the globe.

Register today to take advantage of the early registration rate of $140, which includes a welcome reception on Friday evening, lunches on Saturday and Sunday, and a special banquet dinner on Saturday evening featuring comedian Carol Leifer and entertainment by the comedy troupe Capitol Steps.

During the conference, you can network with national leaders and hundreds of grassroots advocates. Some of the more than 75 renowned conference speakers include:

Gene Baur, president and founder of Farm Sanctuary, author of Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds about Animals and Food
U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), 2007 Humane Legislator of the Year
Jarrod Cooper, safety for the Oakland Raiders
Karen Dawn, founder of DawnWatch, author of Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way We Treat Animals
Rory Freedman, author of Skinny Bitch and Skinny Bitch in the Kitch
Jana Kohl, author of A Rare Breed of Love: The True Story of Baby and the Mission She Inspired to Help Dogs Everywhere
Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States
Joe Trippi, political consultant, author of The Revolution Will Not Be Televised:
Democracy, the Internet and the Overthrow of Everything
Stephanie Vance, The Advocacy Guru at Advocacy Associates, author of Government by the People: How to Communicate with Congress
The conference's convenient location allows easy access to the entire D.C. area. You'll attend sessions and training workshops throughout the weekend. Then head to Capitol Hill on Monday for Lobby Day, where you will get hands-on experience advocating for animal protection legislation with others from your home state, and join a rally at the U.S. Capitol to stop puppy mills.


I look forward to seeing you in July at the 2008 Taking Action for Animals conference.

Sincerely,

Mike Markarian
Executive Vice President, The Humane Society of the United States
President, Humane Society Legislative Fund

P.S. A group room rate is available for conference attendees at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City for $147 per night (single/double occupancy). For reservations call the hotel's reservation department at 703-418-1234, Hyatt Central Reservations at 800-233-1234 or visit the hotel's website and mention Taking Action for Animals (group code G-HMS1).

P.P.S. If you're affiliated with an organization or company, consider becoming a sponsor or exhibitor at Taking Action for Animals. You can maximize your visibility in the animal protection field by showcasing your products, services or cause.

P.P.P.S. Can't make it? Please complete our regret survey to help us better accommodate you next year.




Copyright © 2008 The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). All Rights Reserved.
The Humane Society of the United States | 2100 L Street, NW | Washington, DC 20037
info@takingactionforanimals.com | 202-452-1100 | www.takingactionforanimals.com
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Summer at The Jersey Shore

Wonder what made Bruce Springstein so crazy about the Jersey Shore? Come and experience it yourself. Once you visit, you'll truly understand...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2008
Contact: Jennifer Szczepanski
609.292.7138

TOURISM INDUSTRY READY TO PROVIDE VISITORS
WITH A BUSY SEASON OF FUN AND EXCITEMENT

As Memorial Day Approaches, Summer Tourism In NJ Grows Bright

TRENTON, N.J.—The unofficial start of the summer season has arrived with Memorial Day just around the corner. The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism's informal survey of tourism industry insiders suggests that rentals have been strong, bookings for hotels and other accommodations are surging, campsite reservations are full and attractions are prepared to greet summer visitors.

Nancy Byrne, executive director of the NJ Department of State's Division of Travel & Tourism predicts the summer tourism season is going to be a big hit. "As we head into summer 2008, there are many interesting dynamics to factor into the season, especially higher gas prices. In New Jersey's case, we are just a tank of gas away from major consumer markets and we believe people will still travel to the Garden State for that summer shore getaway."

County and local tourism officials also express a positive outlook for summer 2008. Officials in Monmouth County report that travelers are staying closer to home this season and are requesting information for day trips and long weekends, instead of seven or ten day vacations. They also report an increasing trend of people making last minute decisions when it comes to reserving beach house rentals.

Cape May representatives report an increase in web site hits and inquiries from upstate New York, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, and Ohio markets. A high volume of inquiries from the Canadian market is also prevalent. Campgrounds across the state are nearly booked for the season and the substantial increase in Canadian reservations is still going strong.

In Ocean City, rental reservations are steadily increasing and a loyal customer base continues to return yearly from the Greater Philadelphia, Northern New Jersey and New York markets. Tourism officials also mention the use of the Internet as the main resource to make plans and request information

A strong tourism industry is vital to economic growth in New Jersey. In 2007 alone, revenues grew by 5.8% to $38 billion as visitation also rose a healthy 5.8%, from 71 million visitors to 75.2 million, driven by a 15.2% growth in overnight stays.

According to AAA projections, about 37.87 million Americans will travel 50 or more miles from home this Memorial Day weekend. In New Jersey, it is estimated that almost 1.5 million Garden State residents will travel more than 50 miles from home this weekend. According to Byrne, "We expect that people will continue to travel throughout the summer season, even with higher gas prices. The travel trend will be for fewer days and discretionary incomes will be used more wisely when seeking dining and accommodation alternatives."

The Travel Industry Association of America reports that Americans are expected to take more than 327 million leisure trips during June, July and August of 2008. They also expect travelers to be more cost-conscious in their travel decisions this summer and that they will be attracted by special offers, gas rebate programs and other incentives that destinations and travel companies around the country are now beginning to offer.

What will be attracting visitors this year? "Plenty of new and improved tourism attractions to suit every taste in every region," added Byrne. "New Jersey is home to some of the best recreational, historical and cultural activities along the East Coast and visitors can discover our Jersey Gems while getting away without going too far away."

For more events and attractions, as well as trip planning assistance and lodging listings, go to www.visitnj.org.

Celebrity Cruise Press News

Summer vacation is coming up. What will you do? Why not cruise....

Press Release From Celebrity Cruises:

Celebrity Cruises to "High Five" it's Guests with 2009-10 Caribbean Season


Miami - (April 23, 2008 ) - Celebrity Cruises is giving Caribbean cruise enthusiasts something to celebrate in late 2009 and early 2010. For the first time in five years, Celebrity will offer a range of Caribbean itineraries lasting a week or longer on five of its ships: Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Mercury, Celebrity Solstice, and Celebrity Summit. Together, the ships will call at 26 different ports during sailings ranging from seven to 14 nights, departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. These bookings opened for sale today.

Celebrity's 2009-10 seasonal Caribbean season will feature calls on new ports, the deployment of two of the line's new Solstice class of ships to the region, and the reintroduction of a 14-night itinerary length. Highlights will include the following:

• Celebrity will introduce three new ports to its Caribbean line-up, including Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Scarborough, Tobago.

• Celebrity Solstice, launching in December 2008, will sail seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises roundtrip out of Fort Lauderdale. These will alternate between two itineraries, one featuring calls at San Juan; Basseterre, St. Kitts; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and the other featuring stops at San Juan; Philipsburg; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Labadee, Haiti.

• Celebrity Equinox will sail 10- and 11-night "Ultimate Caribbean" cruises roundtrip out of Fort Lauderdale, featuring stops at ports such as St. Thomas; St. Kitts; Barbados; Dominica; St. Maarten; Grand Cayman; Colombia; Costa Rica; and Mexico. The 11-night itinerary includes a stop at Roatan, Honduras, which Celebrity has not visited since 2007.

• Celebrity Constellation will sail Celebrity's first 14-night Caribbean season itineraries since 2005, offering several 14-night "Exotic Southern Caribbean" sailings roundtrip out of Miami, featuring calls in St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Tobago, Aruba, and Curacao.

• Celebrity Mercury will sail a series of 10-, and 11-night Southern Caribbean cruises out of San Juan. Celebrity Mercury will also sail one 15-night holiday cruise during this series, and one nine-night cruise in early 2010.

• From mid-December 2009 through mid-April 2010, Celebrity Summit will sail seven-night roundtrip voyages out of San Juan; this pattern includes the addition of the port of Scarborough to Celebrity's line-up as well as the addition of a call at Bridgetown, Barbados.


Celebrity will offer guests a variety of shore and land experiences in each port of call visited during its 2009-10 Caribbean season. Examples include:

• "Mi Dushi" in Aruba, which lets guests board "Mi Dushi" for a day of sailing and snorkeling and an island lunch.

• "St. Maarten Art Tour," which lets guests experience the island's art scene through tours of studios, galleries, and even homes of local artists.

• "Swim with Turtles, Shipwrecks, Snorkel and Beach" in Barbados, during which guests encounter native sea life, learn more about abandoned ships and experience the pleasures of snorkeling.

• "St. Thomas Ocean Racing Challenge," where guests have the opportunity to "be" part of the racing teams aboard the On Deck's Farr 65 Ocean Racing Around the World yachts.

Celebrity Cruises also recently announced its 2009-10 offerings of four- and five-night cruises to the Caribbean. To learn more about all of Celebrity's 2009-2010 Caribbean sailings, guests are encouraged to visit www.celebritycruises.com. To learn more about Celebrity's new Solstice class, guests can tour Celebrity Solstice. Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America.

The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Australia, Canada, Europe and South America. Noted for "The Top Cruise Ships in the World," as voted by the readers of Conde' Nast Traveler (February 2008 readers' poll), Celebrity's current fleet will be joined by Celebrity Solstice in 2008, Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, and a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011.

For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit Celebrity Cruises website.