18th National Trails Symposium
Oct.19 – 22, 2006

Feb. 27, 2006

Contact: Pam Gluck (530) 547-2060

The Quad Cities will host the 18th National Trails Symposium in 2006 on Oct. 19 – 22 at the RiverCenter in downtown Davenport. The Symposium provides an opportunity for greenways and trail advocates, managers, planners, users, and outdoor product providers, as well as conservationists, private landowners, and tourism and business interests to come together to communicate and participate in an educational conference. The Symposium addresses both non-motorized and motorized trails issues.

The National Trails Symposium is held every other year and is sponsored by American Trails - a national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of all trail interests, whose members want to create and protect America’s network of interconnected trails. The Symposium will feature educational sessions, mobile workshops, exhibits, recreational opportunities and more. Outings will showcase many of the best trails and natural lands in the region and provide examples of how trails and greenways are an integral part of economic development. The theme for the 2006 Symposium is “Trails for America: Every Where, Every Way, Every Day”. Major sponsors are John Deere, US DOT Federal Highway Administration, and Riverboat Development Authority.

Registration and Accommodations:
A registration booklet and online registration will be available in June, 2006. The cost of the Symposium will be $320 for early registration for American Trails members and $375 for non-members. Lodging will range between $74 and $84 per day (plus tax). For information visit the American Trails website at www.americantrails.org.

Call for Presentations:
Symposium organizers are looking for speakers and presenters. If you are interested in sharing your knowledge and experience, forms and submission instructions are available at www.americantrails.org. Symposium organizers plan to offer 64 concurrent sessions. The Symposium committee is particularly interested in presentations that introduce new ideas, convey useful strategies, identify lessons learned, and strengthen participants’ existing skills and knowledge.

American Trails’ National Trails Awards Program:
American Trails recognizes individuals and organizations that have developed and been involved in the creation and preservation of trails through a special awards program at the Symposium. Nomination forms are available at www.americantrails.org and must be submitted by May 31, 2006.

Sponsor/Exhibitor Opportunities:
The 18th National Trails Symposium is currently offering Sponsorship and/or Exhibitor opportunities. There are many sponsorship levels to choose from and all provide recognition for companies/organizations. The Symposium exhibit hall will feature over 125 exhibits representing trail-related businesses, agencies, and organizations from all over the country. Booth placement is determined by the order in which Exhibitor Contracts are received. All sponsorships/booths must be paid in full by April 30, 2006 to receive a 15% fee discount. For sponsor/exhibitor packets, go to www.americantrails.com or contact American Trails at (530) 547-2060.

The Quad Cities is located on the Mississippi River and is made up of the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline, East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois. It is the largest metropolitan area on the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and St. Louis. The area is a 2-½ hour drive from Des Moines, Iowa, and Chicago, Illinois, and is easily accessible via I-80, I-74, I-88 and several major state highways. The area is also served by the Quad City International Airport (MLI) in Moline, Illinois - which provides direct flights from many major U.S. Airports. For more information on the Quad Cities contact the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-747-7800 or www.visitquadcities.com.