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NEWS RELEASE

06-10-02

Contacts:
Victoria Szopinski, University Conference Services, (515) 294-6885
Julie Weeks, Convention and Visitors Bureau, (515) 232-4032
Steve Sullivan, News Service, (515) 294-3720

IOWA STATE, AMES WILL BE MULTI-YEAR HOSTS OF ODYSSEY OF THE MIND

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University will be a multi-year host for the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international problem-solving competition that emphasizes creativity and teamwork. Under a new agreement, Iowa State will host the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals in 2003, 2006 and 2009. This is Odyssey's first multi-year agreement in its 24-year history of holding world finals events on university campuses. The world finals are held in May.

"Odyssey of the Mind is a perfect summer event for Iowa State and the Ames community," said Victoria Szopinski, director of University Conference Services. "The week-long event brings high-achieving students from all parts of the globe to our campus and community."

The Odyssey of the Mind World Finals will bring thousands of students and parents to Iowa State and Ames. The participants stay in Iowa State residence halls, as well as Ames hotels.

"We are excited to be a partner with Iowa State University and host Odyssey of the Mind," said Julie Weeks, executive director of the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau. "During the event, we will host more than 20,000 participants, coaches, officials and spectators. It is a great opportunity to showcase not only Iowa State University, but also the community of Ames and the state of Iowa. Hopefully, many of them will consider returning to the area in the future."

Iowa State has hosted several Odyssey events in the past, including the world finals in 1990, 1994 and 1996. Iowa State's campus is one of only a handful of college campuses capable of managing an event the size of world finals, said Szopinski.

"Our ability to host Odyssey of the Mind is based on the quality and experience of our staff, the strength of our residence hall system and campus-wide facilities, including the Iowa State Center, the Lied Recreation Center and the new ice arena," said Szopinski.

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