May 21, 2007

Contact: Andy Bowen

404-822-3309

Largest Event of Its Type in the World This Week; Thousands of Youth From U.S. and Around The World

A worldwide celebration of youth and their creativity At Destination
ImagiNation in U.S. heartland

NEW YORK, May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 18,000 youth, family
members, volunteer team leaders and international dignitaries from nearly
all 50 states and 13 foreign countries gather in America's heartland to
take part in Destination ImagiNation's Global Finals this week.
The exciting, colorful, action-packed competitive event -- full of
sound and visuals -- is the culmination of months of innovative thinking
and imaginative, hands-on team problem solving by nearly 1,000 teams of
kids in the largest creative problem solving program for youth in the
world.
Special visit by eight teams of youth from China and Chinese
dignitaries; other news ... a young man under 30 with 26 patents; a young
woman near death from spinal meningitis at birth is now excelling in a
business school in a wheelchair; Olympics-style pin-trading; 18,000 take
part in food drive; kids travel to compete from Korea, Scandinavia, South
America, Canada, Great Britain; other great stories of creative thinking,
overcoming obstacles, leadership and critical problem solving by youth.
Location: The sprawling campus of the University of Tennessee in
Knoxville, where Destination ImagiNation Inc. has held its international
Global Finals event for the past eight consecutive years.
Destination ImagiNation has challenged millions of young people in the
past 25 years to solve sets of challenges using creative thinking,
teamwork, self confidence, mutual respect, innovation and leadership.
Although Knoxville's population will begin to swell with early arrivals
on May 20, 21 and 22, Global Finals actually commences on opening night
Wednesday, May 23, when teams from around the world march ceremoniously
into UT's Neyland Stadium in Olympics style carrying flags representing
their state or nation and dressed in native costume -- or a fun variation
thereof.
The Knoxville Tourism Bureau estimates the 18,000 visitors have a
direct economic impact on Knoxville of more than $24 million.
For more information, please visit http://www.destinationimagination.org.

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