By Tom Degun

USA_OlympicsApril 12 - The fourth annual United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Paralympic Leadership Conference, which is being led by top professionals in the Paralympic Movement, has nearly sold out with organisers claiming that there are now very limited slots remaining.


The conference, which will take place from April 29 - May 2, 2011 at the US Olympic Training Centre in Colorado Springs, is set to feature interactive and innovative workshops, provide hands-on sports experience and discuss best practice techniques for Paralympic leadership.

The conference is titled "Collaborate. Play. Learn." and the key areas of focus will include participant recruitment and retention, fundraising, marketing, military and veteran issues, leadership development and important networking opportunities.

An impressive cast of speakers have already been lined up with the conference set to feature the likes of blind mountain climber and adventurer Erik Weihenmayer, US Marine Corps veteran and author Rye Barcott, social media guru Peter Shankman, and fundraising and development expert Steve Whisnant.

Also among the list of speakers are US Navy captain Scott Johnston, chief operating officer of Grassroot Soccer Bill Miles, and Kendra Betz and Carla Carmichael from the US Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office.

The 2011 conference will also offer a special working session targeted at Paralympic Sport Club partner organisations.

This will allow Paralympic leaders the opportunity to network with each other and learn how they can fully access and leverage the benefits of being a Paralympic Sport Club.

Full registration will cost $375 (£231) for general admission, $325 (£200) for Paralympic Sport Clubs, the military, veteran service organisations or National Governing Bodies, and $300 (£185) for students, but prices are cheaper before April 17.

Fees for the 2011 USOC Paralympic Leadership Conference have not increased from 2010 and full registration includes daily ground transportation from the DoubleTree Hotel, a conference notebook, light morning refreshments, two lunches, two socials/receptions and access to all workshops and general sessions.

For more information or to register for the fourth annual USOC Paralympic Leadership Conference click here.

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