FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 15, 2005

CONTACT: Megan Reiter (703) 683-9312; mreiter@acteonline.org

ALEXANDRIA, VA- The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announces that total attendance for its Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo held in Kansas City, Missouri topped 4,500, despite being relocated from New Orleans because of the devastation caused by hurricane Katrina, and snowstorms in Kansas City which accumulated to almost a foot of snow.   

The Convention featured compelling speakers -- Jennifer James, a cultural anthropologist and change expert; Tom Vander Ark, executive director for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s education initiatives; and motivational humorist, Mary Feeley.  Attendees also heard from Beto Gonzalez, acting assistant secretary for the Department of Education’s Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE).

Convention attendees were able to choose from hundreds of education sessions presented on a wide range of issues and certification workshops.  The National Research Center for Career and Technical Education sold out a pre-convention workshop on math in career in technical education.   In addition, there were more than 200 exhibiting companies in the Career Tech Expo providing attendees with information on the latest products and services to keep their classrooms current.

For the latest information on the 2006 ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo, November 30- December 2, in Atlanta, Georgia, visit the ACTE Web site at www.acteonline.org.

The Association for Career and Technical Education is the national professional association for the field of career and technical education.  Now in its 79th year, ACTE’s membership numbers more than 30,000 teachers, counselors and administrators at the middle school, high school and postsecondary levels.

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