Together, We Can Make This a Healthy and Safe Global Finals

Destination ImagiNation H1N1 Flu Update

12 May 2009

Contact: askdi</at/>dihq.org or 856-881-1603 ext 16

 Glassboro, N.J. – Destination ImagiNation (DI) is thrilled to report that they will welcome more than 900 student teams from all over the country and the world to Knoxville, TN, for Global Finals 2009. DI further reports that all events remain on schedule, and the organization is looking forward to presenting a memorable celebration of creativity, teamwork and problem solving.

“Global Finals is the largest celebration of its kind, and it speaks to our community’s dedication to the program that so many teams are traveling great distances to participate,” said Rusty McCarty, president of Destination ImagiNation. “We are also mindful of the need to make Global Finals safe and healthy for all participants, and we are taking efforts to make sure that our community works together to satisfy that need.”

In light of the H1N1 Virus, DI will encourage all attendees to practice healthy and safe habits at Global Finals. Communications will be posted across the University of Tennessee (UT) campus reminding participants about hygiene and related procedures. Among other things, DI will provide each team with a grab bag that includes bottles of hand sanitizer and a checklist of event-related health and safety suggestions. UT is also contributing by providing hand-washing or sanitizer stations across campus, and they will extend the university clinic’s hours as a precautionary measure.

“UT is eager to greet DI participants from all over the country and world as we host the Destination ImagiNation Global Finals for the ninth consecutive year,” said Robert Gibbs, Director of UT Conferences. “And our priority is the comfort, safety, and good health of the Global Finals community.”

DI continues to recommend that all teams and volunteers follow the following everyday measures, as offered by the CDC’s website:

- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

- Stay home if you get sick. The CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

DI will continue to post updates as any important new information becomes available and recommends monitoring these sites as well: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ and http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

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Destination ImagiNation® is the world’s leading nonprofit organization offering real-world experience in creativity, problem solving and teamwork. Our programs, resources and services reach over 12,000 teams of all ages annually in all 50 states and 30+ countries. For more information, visit www.idodi.org