When

Where: The Redmond Inn

17601 Redmond Way, Redmond, Washington, 98052

We're heading to the East side this time for a change of scenery. There's plenty of parking onsite at the hotel. Need a map? Here's one.

What: SCOOT, the Seattle Consortium of Online Travel. SCOOT III is designed to entertain, inform and inspire you in your travel quest! Light snacks and beverages provided by My Seattle Catering.

Who: You--or anyone who is involved in online travel-related content. You're invited to learn, share and mix it up with others in travel.

Agenda: Passports with Purpose 2010 Launch

Introduction: Sean Keener from Boots N All on Travel and Online Community.

Passports with Purpose Launch:  Seattle area bloggers Debbie Dubrow, Beth Whitman, Michelle Duffy and Pam Mandel launched Passports with Purpose in 2008 with the idea of activating the travel community online to do something more. In 2008, they raised 7500 USD for Heifer International and in 2009, they raised 30,000 USD to build a school in Cambodia.

This year, they're working with LAFTI -- Land Tiller's for Freedom. David Albert from Friends of LAFTI will talk about the work the organization does to help Dalit ("untouchable") populations in India. Then the Passports with Purpose crew will let you know how you can help. 

How: Request an invitation by sending email to pam (at) nerdseyeview (dot) com

Mayflower Park HotelWhen

What: SCOOT, the Seattle Consortium of Online Travel. SCOOT III is designed to entertain, inform and inspire you in your travel quest! There will be a no-host bar, snacks, and plenty of time to network.

Who: You--or anyone who is involved in online travel-related content. You're invited to learn, share and mix it up with others in travel.

"Featured speaker Chris Guillebeau is taking a break from his quest for world domination to inspire you to do the same -- construct a plan for world domination, that is. Chris just published his Empire Building Kit, the latest a string of publications that includes the "Frequent Flyer Master" program.

Learn about Chris's quest to visit every country on earth--and how he's doing it using frequent flyer points. Chris, a former Seattle-ite, is fun, quirky and full of great ideas. Get a head-start and visit his website, the Art of Nonconformity."

Also on deck? Kelly Goodman and Austin Hill of Travellious will tell us about the WonderMap, their technology mashup that helps your friends share travel suggestions with you while you're on the go.

Where: The Mayflower Park Hotel in downtown Seattle. Free parking is available for confirmed attendees.

RSVP: Space is limited and we expect to fill up. This event is free but you must RSVP to attend. View the invitation here. Not on the guest list? Email pam (at) nerdseyeview (dot) com or nola (at) toursaver (dot) com.



- 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. )

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.