Largest creative problem solving event included more than 140 international teams
June 3, 2010-Cherry Hill, NJ-The celebration concluded with the ceremonial awarding of trophies at Destination ImagiNation’s 2010 Global Finals on Saturday, May 30th in Thompson-Boling Arena at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Ths year, more than 15,000 attendees from around the globe celebrated creativity, teamwork and problem solving at Global Finals.
“This has been our most successful Global Finals, and also the most diverse in terms of events and special exhibits for our attendees. We really focused on making this an all-inclusive event while still placing the focus on our competing teams,” said Rusty McCarty, COO and Creative Director for Destination ImagiNation. “Parents browed the latest education and technology solutions in our Innovation Expo Hall, non-competing family members had four days of Destination ImagiNation camps to choose from, and we held nightly events that offered something for everyone. This was more than a competition: it was a destination for the whole family.”
A total of 1,032 teams, including 148 international teams, competed in seven Challenge categories at Global Finals which marks the conclusion of the 2009-10 Destination ImagiNation season and competition. Beginning in late February 2010, local teams began presenting Challenge solutions at local competition as the first step toward Global Finals. Teams that qualified at the local level moved onto the Affiliate Tournaments, where the competition was tougher. Global Finals is the highest level of competition for Destination ImagiNation teams.
“Global Finals was a wonderful event was for everyone that participated. To look around at the number of teams that traveled long distances to be in Knoxville, including teams from Korea and Turkey, you begin to understand the impact Destination ImagiNation can have on our youth,” said Chuck Cadle, CEO for Destination ImagiNation. “We are teaching our young participants real 21st-Century skills, and we feel tremendous pride when we watch teams showcase their solutions and having fun while learning.”
A complete list of results can be found at www.GlobalFinals.org, including video and photos from all of the events and competitions. The 2011 Global Finals will be held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville May 25-28, 2011.
About Destination ImagiNation, Inc.
Destination ImagiNation, Inc. is an extraordinary non-profit organization that provides two educational programs for students to learn and experience creativity, teamwork and problem solving. Every year, we reach 100,000 students across the U.S. and in more than 30 countries. Destination ImagiNation, our core program, is an exhilarating educational program, offered primarily in after-school settings, in which students work in teams to solve mind-bending Challenges and present their solutions at Tournaments. In our Destination ImagiNation 4-Life program, we design and implement cause-based programming for client organizations to reach target audiences in a powerful way. Destination ImagiNation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with more than 1.3 million alumni and a global network of 35,000 volunteers. Visit http://www.IDODI.org for more information.
