This year's Outward Bound International World Conference will be hosted by Outward Bound USA and the North Carolina Outward Bound School. It will be based at the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina, USA. The theme of the conference is "Building Today for a Stronger Tomorrow." The World Conference is your chance to share successful developments with the Outward Bound network, explore innovative solutions to communication, safety, marketing, sales, and contribute to Outward Bound International's (OBI) strategic planning. The conference will also see the launch of the OBI "Global Communications Portal."
Who should attend?
The conference is for Executive Directors plus two other senior members of staff who have strategic roles within Outward Bound Schools — ideally someone with responsibility for programs and someone from communications and marketing.
Why should your School be represented?
We have structured the World Conference to make maximum use of your time and have put together a program that will help you meet the challenges you face in your role within Outward Bound. It will provide an unrivaled opportunity to network with colleagues, share innovative solutions to the issues and challenges facing your Outward Bound School and give your School the opportunity to influence the ongoing development of Outward Bound and Outward Bound International.
What are the arrangements?
Delegates will be collected from the Charlotte International Airport and transferred by coach to Kanuga at 4:00 PM on Monday the 31st of October (arriving at Kanuga at 7:30 PM.) Or from Asheville Regional Airport (connecting through Atlanta, GA) at 6:30 PM for a 7:30 PM arrival at Kanuga. Accommodation and meals will be provided by Kanuga. The conference will conclude early afternoon of Thursday, 3rd of November, and will be followed by the 2016 OBI Annual General Meeting. That evening, Outward Bound USA will host a "75 Years of Outward Bound" celebratory dinner for all conference delegates and special guest.
Delegates will be transferred back to Charlotte Airport on Friday morning, 4th November (arriving at the airport by 12 noon) or to the Asheville Airport, arriving at 10:00 AM.
All conference sessions will be held at the Kanuga Conference Centre.
Costs
The total cost for the World Conference will be US$500 per person. This cost includes travel, food and accommodation to and from the airport Single occupancy rooms are available but will incur a US$100 extra charge.
Outward Bound USA is generously providing the transport from Charlotte Airport and so there is no reduction in cost for those making their own way to Kanuga.
Program
The style of the conference will not be "listen to presentations" but will involve break out sessions, discussions and plenary sessions. This is your chance to influence the development of Outward Bound over the next few years. > Provisional Program
Outstanding Program Award
We will also be convening the OBI "Outstanding Program Award" at the conference. If you are running a program that you believe to be outstanding in terms of the aims and objectives of Outward Bound, and you would like to enter and share with the wider Outward Bound network, please send a brief program description (no more than 400 words) to [email protected].
Pre-Conference Activities
North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) has put together a program of activities for those who would like to arrive in the USA a little earlier. This will be a great way to experience wonderful North Carolina and get to know NCOBS. The activities will be based from their Cedar Rock Base Camp and will commence at 10:30 AM on 29th October and will conclude with transport to Kanuga on the 31st October. NCOBS will pick participants up at the Asheville Airport on the 29th at 9:30 AM and deliver them to the Cedar Rock Base Camp. *Please note, the base camp cabins do not have heating. Warm sleeping bags will be provided. Please dress accordingly. A maximum of 36 people may participate in the pre-conference activities. Please sign-up soon if interested (This is an option on the Conference Registration Page linked below.) Cost of participation is US$365. > Program Sample