The Virtualis Convention and Learning Center to Open its Doors on April 23, 2008

Dana Point, CA (PRWEB) April 17, 2008 -- Today, Corporate Planners Unlimited, Inc. announced a two-day educational online seminar, 'Experience the Future Now,' will mark the highly anticipated launch of its virtual mega convention center (www.virtualiscenter.com), Virtualis, on April 23-24, 2008 (9 am ? 3 pm PT). Virtualis is the largest and most meticulously-designed convention center in the computer-generated world of Second Life. Mirroring lavish real-world convention centers (www.virtualiscenter.com), it boasts state of the art facilities with educational breakout rooms, a grand ballroom, and an exhibition hall. Guests must RSVP by April 20, 2008 to experience Virtualis firsthand and be a part of the thought-provoking, free seminar.

Corporate decision-makers and event planners who attend 'Experience the Future Now' will gain cutting-edge knowledge about the Second Life culture and economy and discover the overall value and ease of planning and attending events in Virtualis. The scheduled presenters include some of the most prestigious entrepreneurs, event planners, educators, and attorneys in the U.S. who will cover diverse topics such as 'Virtual Event Design and Management,' 'Beyond Recycling: Ten Easy Steps to Greener Meetings and Events,' and 'Negotiating International Contracts.'

Presenters include: B. Joseph Pine, Author, Speaker, and Management Advisor, Strategic Horizons LLP; Jim Carroll, Trends and Innovation Expert; Barbara Dunn, Esq., Howe and Hutton, Ltd.; Joan L. Eisenstodt, Founder, Eisenstodt Associates; John S. Foster, Esq., Foster, Foster, Jensen & Gulley, LLC; James P Hogg, Adjunct Professor, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida; Stuart Mann, Ph.D, Dean, Harrah College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada-Las Vegas; Marianne McNulty, CMP, CTIE, Owner, Clever Concierge, LLC; Gloria Nelson, CSEP, Chief Experience Officer, Gloria Nelson Event Design, LLC; Bonnie Wallsh, Chief Strategist, Bonnie Wallsh Associates, LLC; and Loriann White, CMM, Co-Founder, Association for Green Meetings and Events (AGME).

B. Joseph Pine II, co-author of 'The Experience Economy and Authenticity: What Consumers Really Want' states, "As the Experience Economy emerges, one thing has become clear to me: more and more of the experiences people have will be digital ones -- indeed, those people will increasingly be immersed within those digital experiences. That's why I'm so excited about Virtualis and looking forward to participating in its launch.?

The seminar will offer activities and entertainment including musicians Maximilion Kleen and Frogg Marlowe, a live comedic performance by Tim Wilkins, a networking gathering on a yacht, a scavenger hunt for chances to win prizes, nightly pyrotechnic fireworks, and guided property tours.

Virtualis was founded by Dan Parks, President of Corporate Planners Unlimited, Inc., after discovering success in Second Life with his MeCo (Meetings Community) Mansion, a 16-room property utilized by event and meetings industry professionals. With rising fuel costs, corporate budget cuts, and security concerns, Parks realized it was the right time to introduce a virtual (www.virtualiscenter.com) solution, with real-life components, to accommodate meetings and events in a cost-effective and safe manner.

?In light of economical trends and Second Life?s global reach and technical capabilities, Virtualis is the most logical and efficient solution to augment face-to-face meetings,? said Parks. ?My team of experts and I have spent the past 15 months not only learning the technology from a business standpoint, but have built a vast database of resources that includes the ?best of the best? to design and execute meaningful and memorable events.?

With the ability to use human senses (except smell and taste) and integrate PowerPoint, .jpeg and .pdf slides along with live and streaming audio and video, presenters and attendees are able to achieve a complete meeting experience in Virtualis. Avatars can meet and network with others, gather meaningful educational content, visit different tradeshow (www.virtualiscenter.com) booths, attend live events, and network or engage in group work with colleagues.

Planning and executing an event in Virtualis also mirrors real-life work strategies and logistics. With more than 29,000 square meters of meeting space, a grand ballroom for general sessions or special events, and a spacious exhibition hall for full-fledged tradeshows, Virtualis has the facilities to truly make meetings of all sizes successful. The flexible meeting rooms (www.virtualiscenter.com), complete with advanced video, lighting, and audio capabilities, can also be customized for appearance or ambiance to meet clients? needs and comfort level.

To further ensure your meeting?s success and efficiency, Virtualis is the only Second Life meeting facility managed and operated by award winning and experienced hospitality and meeting industry professionals.

?Second Life is an experiential immersion using the same best practices in the strategic design and development of meeting and event programming,? says Gloria Nelson, CSEP, Chief Experience Officer, Gloria Nelson Event Design, LLC. ?Production technologies available in real life including staging, lighting, design/décor, special effects, and pyrotechnic displays are all in place for integration into strategically designed programs.?

Guests must RSVP by April 20, 2008 to attend the seminar by contacting Dan Parks at cpudan@mac.com or 1.800.493.2545 ext. 201.

Members of the media can schedule a preview tour of Virtualis and/or an interview with Dan Parks, Virtualis Founder, beginning April 14, 2008 by contacting Latoya Vezia at Latoya@LV-PR.com or 404.483.8995.

About Corporate Planners Unlimited, Inc.

Corporate Planners Unlimited, Inc. (CPU) is a full service meeting planning, event planning, and corporate travel company. We plan and implement meetings, events, conferences, and trade shows, featuring online registration services, registration web page design and development, combined with VIP travel services to their clients. For more information, visit www.corporateplanners.com.

About Second Life and Linden Lab

Linden Labs was founded in 1999 by Philip Rosedale to create a revolutionary new form of shared experience, where individuals jointly inhabit a 3D landscape and build the world around them. Today this experience, known as Second Life, has a rapidly growing population of residents from around the globe, who are creating and inhabiting a virtual world of their own design. For more information, visit www.secondlife.com.

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