Big "Thank You" to all the folks who worked to coordinate a great "SCOOT" event on Jan. 14! We even got a little write-up from Aubrey Cohen, the Aerospace Reporter over at the Seattle P-I: "Travel writer recounts TSA experience in Seattle."

- Virginia V Our Venue Sponsor

- Alaska Airlines, our transportation sponsor

- Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, our accommodations sponsor (check out "Art" restaurant happy hour!)

- Seattle Food Tours, our catering sponsor (cool "Foodie" tours of Bell Town and Pike Place Market)

- Pike Brewery, our beer sponsor (did you check out Charles and his "Beer Backpack"?)

- Seattle TourSaver, our event management sponsor (2-for-1 travel book)

And a big THANK YOU to our presenters:

- Christopher Elliott

- Passports with Purpose co-founders Michelle Duffy, Pam Mandel, Beth Whitman and Debby Dubrow

And to our MC, Harriet Baskas !

Finally, a special "Thank You" to our event manager, Nola Palmer of the Seattle TourSaver, who went out of her way, along with her children Sara and Skyler, to make this a fun evening for everyone! (Submitted by Scott McMurren. )

SCOOT is back! Join us for talking travel and networking on Thursday Jan. 14, 2010 aboard the historic steamship Virginia V on Lake Union.

This 125-foot vessel is a great setting for SCOOT, a forum for individuals responsible for generating online travel content and/or contributing to the online travel scene.

Meet journalist and travel blogger Christopher Elliott. Chris is flying up from Orlando for our event, courtesy of Alaska Airlines. Special thanks to the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle for accommodations! Chris is in the news because of his recent run-in with the TSA. Specifically, Chris shared important information with the traveling public while the TSA remained silent. The TSA came knocking on Chris's door late one night, demanding that he reveal his confidential source. Travel bloggers MATTER in this ever-changing travel environment. [Learn more about Chris and the TSA here.]

Local travel bloggers Debbie Dubrow, Beth Whitman, Pam Mandel and Michelle Duffy of Passports with Purpose will share how they raised $27,000 for a school in Cambodia--and why that matters. It's a great story of how travel bloggers can make a difference in their community.

While you're onboard...

• Learn about the Virginia V, it's heritage as part of Seattle's "Mosquito Fleet" and its ongoing mission. [To get to the Virginia V, park downtown and take the SLUT to the V5. Due to construction in the area, parking is limited.]
• Get the inside scoop on the just-released 2010 Edition of the 2010 Seattle TourSaver, the 2-for-1 travel/adventure book for Seattle, the San Juan Islands and Victoria, BC.
• And network! you're encouraged to bring your wireless device or your laptop to tweet and blog the night away. There will be wireless provided, along with hors d'oeuvres from our friends at Seattle Food Tours. Just don't drip that hot sauce on your keyboard! Bring your business cards for cool door prizes.

This event is free, but space is limited and you must RSVP.

WHERE:
On board the Virginia V at South Lake Union
860 Terry Ave N

Heads up! There's construction in South Lake Union, so parking is limited. Park near the South Lake Union Trolley line and take the street car or walk.

WHEN:
January 14th
Doors open at 5:00 PM
Discussion to begin at 6:30 PM

COST:
Free, thanks to our sponsors:

• Alaska Air
• The Four Seasons
• Seattle TourSaver
• Virginia V
• YAPTA
• Seattle Food Tours

RSVP:
Wow! We're full! Contact pam (at) nerdseyeview (dot) com about future "SCOOT" events.