Columbus International Program
57 Jefferson Avenue #3, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3866
Phone (614) 221-0034 Fax (614) 228-1009 e-mail: cipcols@cipcolumbus.org
An affiliate of CIPUSA
Announcing the Columbus International Program (CIP) “EcoTourism in Ohio” training
program.
Dates: Saturday, August 30 – Saturday, September 20, 2014 (subject to change)
Purpose: To provide short-term, intensive, high-quality, customized group experiences in the field of Eco
Tourism. The Program will include cultural opportunities to immerse in the American culture. The ultimate
purpose is to enhance EcoTourism in the respective delegate’s organization and home country. For additional
information and to apply online, visit www.EcoTourismOhio.org.
Program Benefits and Expected Outcomes is Your Ability to:
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Understand the Development of the EcoTourism Industry in the United States
Compare EcoTourism in Ohio to that of the Delegate’s Home Country and Region
Experience Personal Customized Observational Training based on the Group’s Needs*
Learn Current EcoTourism Trends by Experiencing them Firsthand
Understand Cultural Differences between Your Country and the United States
 Experience the Feelings from this One-of-A-Kind, Cross-Cultural Experience
 Evaluate Alternative Uses for Land and Property that can be Eco-Friendly and Sustainable
 Develop a Lifetime Network of Professionals on many Continents
 A Network of Focused Organizations and Potential Business Partners
 Better Manage Your Duties and Grow as a Professional
 Suggest Improvements to EcoTourism Activities in Your Home Country
* Presenters will be given copies of Delegate Bios; so that they can Modify Site Tour Routes and
Presentation Topics for the Maximum Benefit for Delegates.
Program Content: This program incorporates Site-Visit and Classroom Customized Vocational Training. Site
Visits begin with the “Public” Tour. Classroom Training will include a Series of Seminars and Workshops
Conducted by Site Professionals, Government Officials and University Professors. Private, Behind-the-Scenes
Tours are included.
Program Participants: The Delegation will be comprised of 10 to 15 Employed Professionals in EcoTourism,
and Economic Development. They may be working for or in:
 Zoos, Aquariums, Preserves, Natural History Museums
 Federal, State, Metro or Local Governments
 Welcome Centers, Chambers of Commerce
 University Departments of: Business Administration, Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Animal
Management
 Private Enterprises: Tourist Businesses, Outfitters, Hotel/Motel Chains, Airlines, Boat Rides, Scenic
Railways
Ecotourism Venues: The delegates will enjoy visits to and participate in:
 Animal Preserves, Safaris and Zoos, Lakes, Rivers and Wetlands
 Resorts, Parks
 Forests and Nature Preserves
 Zip lines through Forests and over Animals
 Paths for Bicycles and Walking
 Botanical Gardens and Conversations
 Historical sites including Amish Country Living of 150 years ago
Columbus International Program
57 Jefferson Avenue #3, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3866
Phone (614) 221-0034 Fax (614) 228-1009 e-mail: cipcols@cipcolumbus.org
An affiliate of CIPUSA
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Rentals of Horses, Canoes, Kayaks, Pontoon Boats, All-Terrain Vehicles
University Departments of Ecotourism, Natural Resources and Animal and Plant Science
Amusement Parks, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Football Game (even though not ecotourism)
CIP tour concludes September 21.
Meeting Content (before or after the normal tour of the site) Please respect that some venues may consider
some of the below subjects to be proprietary and not releasable to the public. Nevertheless we will ask. As we
visit venues, we will ask for short presentations on these subjects:
 History and Ownership
 Business Plan
 Organization Chart
 Aerial View and Map
 Employee Job Descriptions
 Management Policies
 Money Supporting Land Acquisition
 Government Licensing and Regulations
 Engineering, Safety, Construction and Maintenance
 Marketing: Advertising, Public Relations, TicketPpricing
 Financial Results: Operating Profit and Loss, Cash Planning, Capital Costs
 Economic Development on Community: Motels/Hotels, Restaurants, Retail Stores
All CIPUSA programs include opportunities to take part in Cultural Activities. Activities include: visits to
Museums, Sporting Events, Theaters, Festivals, etc. Some activities may be at the group’s cost. CIP does allow
for Separate Excursions. For an additional charge of $250 (per trip); a trip to Washington DC and/or Chicago
can be incorporated into the program.
Program Specifics: As a participant of this program you will receive:
 Airport pick-up and drop-off
 An orientation to the U.S. and a tour of Franklin County and the the city of Columbus
 A well-designed program in the field of EcoTourism that provides opportunities to learn through Site
Visits
 Networking Opportunities, Hands-on Experience, and Educational Lectures in the field of EcoTourism
 Planned Cultural Visits to local Museums, City Landmarks, and other Tourist Destinations
 Arranged Living through Home Hospitality Host Living
 A chance to Interact and Dialogue with your U.S. Counterparts both Professionally and Informally
 An opportunity for you to Share Your Customs and History through Interacting with Other Delegates,
Host Families, and CIP Members at the Thursday Eening Celebrations
 Free Time to participate in Leisure Activities and Shop
 A final Evaluation
 Certificate at the end of program
 A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity!
Program Hosts: The Council of International Programs USA (CIPUSA) has provided training programs since
1956. Our organization is comprised of highly educated, well-traveled individuals who have an appreciation for
cultural understanding. CIPUSA has trained nearly 15,000 alumni from 147 countries. It has 5 affiliate offices
across the United States. CIPUSA will work together with the Columbus affiliate, the Columbus International
Program (CIP). CIP will facilitate your program while you are in Ohio and be responsible for participants and
all program elements. CIPUSA will provide the paperwork for the necessary visa sponsorship for the program.
Columbus International Program
57 Jefferson Avenue #3, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3866
Phone (614) 221-0034 Fax (614) 228-1009 e-mail: cipcols@cipcolumbus.org
An affiliate of CIPUSA
Living Accommodation: Every delegate will Stay with Selected Host Families with an Interest in
International Affairs while in the Columbus and Cleveland areas. When Away from these cities, the group will
stay in Resort Cabins, Asian Yurts, Bed and Breakfasts, State Park Lodges, Motels and Hotels.
Home Hospitality Hosts – CIP can provide host family living free of Extra cost. Each individual has his/her
own Bedroom, a Shared Bathroom and will be provided with Breakfasts and Dinners. For Business Day
Lunches, participants will be expected to Pay for Their Own Lunch ($5 to $10 per day). While in Columbus,
the Guests Delegates will be Part of a Family and encouraged to Participate in Family Activities. During
Evenings and Weekends, Host Families will provide Shopping Opportunities.
Transportation: CIP Passenger Vans and Host Families’ Cars will provide the group with Transportation.
Other transportation may include: Scenic Railway, JetSky Speed Pontoon Boat on Lake Erie, Scenic Cuyahoga
River & Lake Erie Boat, Ohio River Stern Wheeler Boat, Zip-lines, Safari Open Bus, Canoe, and Kayak.
Applications: Applicants may apply for the program by going to www.cipusa.org. From the Home page select
the Training Tab and then click on Short Term Training. Deadline to apply is July 15, 2014. Depending upon
your home country you may be able to travel on a tourist visa or it may require a J-1 Training Visa. CIP
stands ready to assist with this process.
Program Costs: Delegates may participate in 1 week, 2 weeks or the entire 3 week program. Fees for
each segment are as follows: 1 week $1,200, 2 weeks $2,300, the entire 3 weeks program $3,300. The
entire program fee is due by August 15, 2014.
Included in the Fee: Processing of Required Documentation, Transportation to and from all Activities, and
Entrance Tickets for Training Sites and Cultural Activities. Participants are Responsible for their Own Airfare
and Business-Day Lunches.
A non-refundable Application Fee of $50 is Due at the time the Application is Received. For Questions, please
contact CIP President and EcoTourism Project Manager, Philip Beltz (614) 905-6380 PhilBeltz@aol.com or
CIP Executive Director, Mark Poeppelman 614-425-2268 Poeppem@aol.com