Dr. Robert (Bob) Hoel

Fellow, Filene Research Institute and Professor Emeritus of Business, Colorado State University

Bob frequently speaks about credit union challenges and opportunities at meetings of credit union leaders, regulators, auditors and others.  He has spoken at conferences in all 50 states plus Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, and New Zealand.

 Benefits To You and Your Credit Union:

• Participate in over 14 hours of educational sessions
• Free consultation with our on-board industry leader 
• Analyze change management concepts and techniques
• Hear about new competitive concepts
• Learn how your credit union can survive and thrive in times of rapid change
• Share with other CU volunteers and management staff from around the country
• Create a game-plan for planned growth during a rough economic period
• Discuss new methods for dealing with a rapidly changing environment
• Find solutions to problems your CU faces ... today and tomorrow
• Learn how to succeed by hearing how other credit unions have done it 
• Discover how to become more Proactive instead of Reactive

Take Part In This Incredible Expedition:  "A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life." .... Charles Darwin

Exploration is the act of searching or traveling for the purpose of discovery. Many destinations promise visitors the chance to "step back into history." A Celebrity Xpeditions to the Galapagos Islands perhaps best exemplifies that promise, as we take you to a destination that helped to shape one of the world's leading scientific doctrines. The are known as the inspiration for Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, this cluster of islands is so isolated that many of its creatures cannot be found anywhere else on earth. From the giant tortoises that bear the Galapagos name, to the marine iguanas and "Darwin" finches, the Galapagos islands afford visitors the chance to observe a living laboratory of adaptation. Celebrity Cruises provide guests with this rare, up-close experience with the smallest possible environmental impact to these precious shores.

Here's a taste of some of the islands you will visit:

Baltra (Galapagos) Prepare for an adventure-filled exploration through the Galapagos Islands on this beautiful island. During World War II, the island's airport was a US Military base protecting the Panama Canal from enemy attack. Surrounding the airport now you will see land iguanas indigenous to the island.

North Seymour (Galapagos) Off the northern tip of Baltra is this flat, low-lying island where blue-footed boobies nest, sea lions play and the largest colony of frigate birds

Kicker Rock (San Cristobal) Off the northwest coast of San Cristobal lies Kicker Rock, where thousands of years ago a volcanic eruption left behind enormous vertical rock faces that rise nearly 500 feet from the ocean. It's also magnificent for snorkeling as tropical fish are abundant and the water is crystal clear.

Cormorant Point (Floreana) Floreana Island was once a penal colony for Ecuador, the first capital of the Galapagos and where Charles Darwin met the viceroy of Galapagos. Your excursion options include a medium-intensity wet landing at Cormorant Point (or Punta Cormorant), where you may see two plant species found only at this particular site, as well as flamingos, stilts and whit cheeked pintail ducks.

Urvina Bay (Isabela) In 1954, the Alcedo Volcano erupted on the island of Isabella, the largest island of the Galapagos, lifting part of the ocean floor about 32 feet to reach the surface. This intriguing land is now known as Urvina Bay, and as you walk on these exotic shores, keep in mind you are walking on the remnants of once-sunken coral reefs, so be sure to notice the rock formations - coral heads of yesteryear.

Punta Espinoza (Fernandina) Here on Isla Fernandina, guests may walk on recent lava flows from La Cumbre volcano and also observe the flightless cormorant, one of the islands' best examples of evolution

Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz) Dragon Hill, or "Cerro Dragon," is named after its population of land iguanas. Excursion options include a high-intensity hike with swimming/snorkeling at the beach, high intensity snorkeling from a zodiac followed by a short walk and a low-intensity Zodiac ride along the coastline with optional dry landing for animal observation.

Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) A fifteen-minute stroll from one end to the other along Charles Darwin Avenue promises plenty of sights and sounds in this, the largest city of the Galapagos Islands. A charming seaside town, Puerto Ayora features Ecuadorian and international cuisine, local artisans and shopping as well as snorkeling and scuba diving.

P. Baquerizo (San Cristobal) Eroded volcanic peaks in the north and rich vegetation in the south characterize the island. This island is also home to the only freshwater lake in the Galapagos.

Xpedition ... Not Your Ordinary Cruise Ship:

Celebrity Xpedition Cruise aboard Celebrity Xpedition and you'll experience a sense of intimacy that can only be achieved aboard a smaller ship. And yet, Celebrity Xpedition is filled with touches that are luxuriously familiar. Morning mimosas and moonlit toasts are just a few of the spoils you'll enjoy as you embrace the timelessness of the Galapagos Islands - a land that time has seemingly forgotten.

         

• Fantastic local cuisine
• All land excursions included in price
• All gratuities included in price
• Pre and Post Hotel stays with tours and meals included 
• Cocktail Lounge
• Live entertainment
• Daily onboard lectures by naturalists
• Onboard enrichment & education by credit union industry expert
• Credit Union parties and countless networking opportunities 
• Local entertainment 
• Free snorkeling equipment and wetsuits
• Complimentary Binoculars
• Complimentary beverages including wine and liquer 
• World-Class Service
• Dining under the stars several nights 
• And much more
  

Group Rates That Will Soon Disappear:

Your Rate Includes Many Things:

Rates to include: your stateroom, 2 nights pre-cruise hotel stay in Quito, 1 night post-cruise hotel stay in Quito, guided Quito tour, all meals, all gratuities, all guided land tours, fabulous local entertainment, conference registration fee, top industry speakers, Certificate of Course Completion, Free consultation with our on-board industry leader, port charges, transfers, government fees and taxes, farewell dinner in Quito, and trip cancellation insurance. Rates are based on double occupancy, except when noted. Cabins are subject to availability. Rates do not include airfare. Air travel available from most cities. Will quote price upon request. To attend conference and/or to take advantage of these low group rates, all cabin reservations must be booked through "ADTRAV Meetings & Incentives", our new travel affiliate.  Only those travel arrangements that are booked through "ADTRAV" will be covered by the included insurance premium. The cabin deposit and Conference Registration Fee is immediately payable upon first booking this cruise/conference. Cruise Rates subject to change by cruise line. Credit Cards are NOT ACCEPTED for payment.
 

WARNING:  The Xpedition Galapagos is not for everyone. You need to be reasonably fit and able to hop in rubber Zodiac boats easily. In addition, you should to be able to hike around and not complain about it. Yet, it is important to note that one can go low-intensity zodiac riding for sea lions and iguanas and snorkeling each day and still see one of the last amazing unspoiled places on Earth.

Sail to the Galapagos on the Celebrity Xpedition and see for the first time, what it was like millions of years ago on Earth…with a glass of champagne in your hand on your own private yacht.

"Galapagos Islands ... The CU Discovery Symposium at Sea"
An Itinerary You Will Never Forget

Date	Port/City	Activity	Description
Day 1	Quito, Ecuador	Cruisetour Day 1	Upon your arrival in Quito, you will be greeted by uniformed Celebrity staff with directions for bus transfer. After a 10-15 minute drive, you will arrive at the 5-star JW Marriott hotel for your overnight stay.
Day 2	Quito, Ecuador	Cruisetour Day 2	In Quito, you will enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet, followed by a City Tour of Quito from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, with lunch included. You will have an opportunity to shop, as well as visit the plaza, church and cathedral of "Old Town". Upon your return to the hotel, dinner is included at 1 of 3 restaurants. The next morning, enjoy a complimentary breakfast, and board a flight to Baltra.
Day 3	Baltra (Galapagos)			Depart 2:00 PM
Day 3	North Seymour (Galapagos)	Tendered	Arrive 2:30 PM	Depart 7:00 PM
Day 4	Kicker Rock (San Cristobal)	Tendered	Arrive 7:00 AM	Depart 8:00 AM
Day 4	P. Baquerizo (San Cristobal)	Tendered	Arrive 9:00 AM	Depart 1:00 PM
Day 4	Puenta Suarez (Espanola)	Tendered	Arrive 3:00 PM	Depart 7:00 PM
Day 5	Cormorant Point (Floreana)	Tendered	Arrive7:00 AM	Depart 12:00 PM
Day 5	Baroness Outlook (Floreana)	Tendered	Arrive 3:00 PM	Depart 7:00 PM
Day 6	Las Bachas (Santa Cruz)	Tendered	Arrive 8:00 AM	Depart 12:00 PM
Day 6     Day 7	Bartolome (San Salvador)   Urvina Bay (Isabela)	Tendered      Tendered	Arrive 2:30 PM      Arrive 7:00AM	Depart 7:00 PM     Arrive 12:00 PM
Day 7	Punta Espinoza (Fernandina)	Tendered	Arrive 2:30 PM	Depart 7:00 PM
Day 8	Puerto Egas (San Salvador)	Tendered	Arrive 7:00 AM	Depart 12:00 PM
Day 8	Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)	Tendered	Arrive 3:00 PM	Depart 7:00 PM
Day 9	Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz)	Tendered	Arrive 7:00 AM	Depart 7:00 PM
Day 10	Baltra (Galapagos)		Arrive 9:30 AM
Day 10	Quito, Ecuador	Cruisetour Day 10	Upon debarkation, there will be bus service from the port to the airport, where you will board a flight to Quito. Upon Arrival at the Quito Airport, you will be transferred onto a bus and to the hotel for an overnight stay. In the late afternoon, experience a Shopping Tour to outdoor market, followed by a complimentary Farewell Dinner at Historic Theatre Restaurant.
Day 11	Quito, Ecuador	Cruisetour Day 11	After a complimentary breakfast, you will be transferred from the hotel to the Quito Airport.

"In the long history of humankind, those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed." ... Charles Darwin