Global Youth Travel Associations Team Up To Advance Cultural Exchange

Dec. 1, 2009 - PRLog -- Two leading global trade associations are co-hosting their annual Work Experience Travel Market and IAPA Annual Conference (WETM-IAC Conference) in Miami, Florida in March—marking the first time the event will be held outside of Europe, and emphasizing the increasing importance of the North and South American markets to the cultural exchange market.

“Latin and North America are leading markets for all types of cultural exchange. From developing programmes to sending young people abroad, the region is one of the most established, yet innovative and of course, largest markets for our community,” says Jack Hompes, Chair of the International Au Pair Association, (IAPA).  He adds, “Holding the conference in Miami enables the region’s leading players as well as the up and coming organisations that may not have the resources to come to Europe, the opportunity to do business with the two associations’ trusted members as well as professional peers attending from around the world.”

“Cultural exchange has always been an important motivator for young people to travel. Now with the tremendous growth we are seeing in young people wanting to study overseas, they, as well education providers are looking to enhance their programmes with work and life experiences including internships, volunteering and au pairing. This is fuelling growth in our industry,” says Elizabeth O’Neill, Chair of the WYSE Work Abroad Association.

She continues, “Organisations that attend our event specialise in cultural exchange. They are in many cases, members of global trade bodies like WYSE Work Abroad and IAPA that seek and adhere to coherent standards and best practice for the industry. So while our event is as always, essential for providers of cultural exchange to attend, it is rapidly becoming equally critical for organisations working with young people, from higher education institutions, school agents to language travel providers to take advantage of the wealth of know-how and reliable partners the WETM-IAC conference provides.”

Bringing the WETM-IAC Conference to the USA also comes at a time of renewed efforts from the US in building cultural exchange. Recent speeches by President Obama supporting international exchange as well as government increases in resources for educational travel should help stimulate a rise in cultural exchanges throughout the region.

Some 250 plus organisations representing more than 40 countries are expected to attend the two and a half day event, which will take place at the InterContinental Hotel Miami, from March 17-19th  2010. The business trade only conference is devoted exclusively to organisations providing cultural exchange and work abroad programmes such as au pair placements, internships, gap year, work exchange, and volunteer programmes and the industries that support these.

Combining pre-booked business appointments, sector-focused seminar programme with daily networking events, the qWETM-IAC Conference is the most important yearly business-trading platform for member organisations of the two global associations and interested cultural exchange organisations.

Organisations interested in attending the Work Experience Travel Market and IAPA Annual Conference can register at www.wetm-iac.org.

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About the International Au Pair Association (IAPA)
The International Au Pair Association (IAPA) was established in 1994 by cultural exchange organisations seeking to improve and protect the rights of au pairs and host families around the world. The association has been responsible for the creation of internationally recognised Guidelines for au pairs and exchange programmes with its 160 plus member organisations.
About WYSE Work Abroad Association
WYSE Work Abroad Association is the leading global forum and trade association for organisations involved in work abroad programmes. The association’s mission is to facilitate and increase international youth travel and exchange through the promotion of culturally-oriented work abroad and volunteer activities.