Networking, Learning and Blue Marbles at the Adventure Travel Summit

After a 10 hour drive from Boston, Andrew and I finally arrived at the Fairmont Richelieu in Charlevoix Quebec, Canada. Crowded around the bar unwinding from a long day of traveling were many fellow adventure travel folk reconnecting over tall Canadian beer

On day one we joined other adventure delegates for a hike up to 6000 meters to the summit of Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes yesterday. The trail was long but easy which eased my one armed status. At our lake break we learned about a cool company based out of New Zealand called ZORB. They essentially send people downhills in big plastic globes. We hung out at the gorgeously clear summit with Timo Shaw of Country Walkers, Kathy Dragon of Dragon Path and Peter Grubb of ROW adventures. The views of the Saint Lawrence River and the surrounding mountains were spectacular.

Later that night at dinner we were immersed in photos, history and culture of the Charlevoix region. We heard from Daniel Gauthier, co-founder of Cirque du Soleil and the president and CEO of Group Le Massif.  He shared his vision for the region, a large scale recreational project called the Massif de Charlevoix, involving ski resorts, a destination train, signature lodging, spas and much more. The project slated for completion by 2013, spans over a territory of 120 sq KM, where creativity and freedom prevail in a concept that is furthest from artificial.

Days 2-4 have been filled with visionary speakers and engaging learning sessions. Most intriguing included Astrophysicist Hubert Reeves who gave us (some very scary) insights into how humans might remain here on a radically changing earth in livable, sustainable conditions. His message. Don’t be optimistic or pessimistic–Be determined to make a difference. Jeff Dossett, CEO of Adventurelink.com shared his midlife epiphany in which he began climbing mountains leading to his being the 3rd Canadian in history to comlete the “Seven Summits”.  Jeff Greenwald of EthicalTraveler.org discussed what we can do to promote goodwill and ease cross-cultural tensions.

My personal favorite speaker was Dr. Wallace Nichols from the California Academy of Sciences ( he also recognized my sling as he had similar shoulder surgery as I).   His life long love of turtles and the sea led him to passionately promote his r/evolution that is helping save the planet and is making a difference He promotes a simple concept treasure and fall in love with nature (again and again). His simple and powerful form of social media? He handed out a blue marble to all the attendees ( symbolizing our “big blue marble” earth) and asked us to share the marble in the next 24 hours.  It’s a simple idea: commit a random act of ocean kindness by sharing a blue marble forward with someone doing good things for our blue planet and tell them to do the same.

Other highlights:
• A slide show and presentation about Chile by Jon Bowermaster, contributing editor for National Geographic Adventure
• Having dinner with my adventure travel buddies Dan Austin and Paul Lehman of Austin&Lehman Adventures. 
• A engaging talk about branding via compelling storytelling by Edward Wachtman and Sheree Johnson
• Meeting and learning from industry folk &  travel writers:
Judith Fein (she had me do a poem about a tour!) www.YourLifeisaTrip.com
Everett Potter who has written lots about Ciclismo over the years and has a great travel blog
Caren Osten Gerzberg she writes about travel, education, and women’s issues for a variety of publications. Her articles also include features, profiles and essays, and she is the co-founder and editor of a blog, Drinking Diaries, about women and drinking.  (She and her three kids will hopefully be joining us on a tour)
Ellen Barone ( A travel writer, photographer, Ciclismo Classico Sicily alumni and facebook friend). She will hopefully join us in Lofoten Islands
Fran Farrell ( formal publisher of Men’s Journal and National Geographic Traveler and all around super nice guy whose family joined us on the Greece Islands
Kathy Dragon. Ms Social Media. I covet her networking savvy, industry knowledge and new IPhone.

Some of the most interesting new adventure folk that I met included:
Don Mankin a travel writer who is writing a book about how travel is transformational
Craig Horrocks CEO of ZORB. You just gotta click on this to believe it.
George Asquith  President of The Great River Journey.  A delux river journey on the YUKON

LA Chancy of DNA Travel. Geneaology combined with travel

In addition to the people connections at every lunch, dinner and cocktail we were hosted the by following delightful destinations
Canada Keep Exploring
Chile Always Surprising
Innovation Norway
Brasil Sensational
Mexico Time to Go
The Alps
Ecuador: Life at it purist
The Yukon Larger than Life
and the host for next year’s Summit (and where we will have a new 2011 cycling tour)
Scotland

In the hallways, at the round tables, over dinner and at the bar until the wee hours of the night I met many smart, well connected, interesting and visionary summit delegates. I thank you sharing, your entertaining conversations and your adventurous spirits

As usual I am pumped up and ready to use and share what I have learned with my team, guests and guides

Please share YOUR favorite moments and experiences at this event!