With sustainability a cornerstone of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Whistler Centre for Sustainability will contribute to February's celebrations with a special event. TEDxWhistler: Tourism's Place in a Sustainable World, will take place on Feb. 18, 2009 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Whistler Canada Olympic House.

This live event will be webcast on www.tedxwhistler.com to a worldwide audience and will feature leaders in tourism and sustainability and engage in a dialogue with participants and with webcast viewers through the micro-blogging application Twitter.

"Tourism and travel connect each of us to people and places around the world. Done respectfully, it can provide unique and awe-inspiring experiences, create local community benefits and tread lightly on the Earth," says Cheeying Ho, executive director of the Whistler Centre for Sustainability. "This event fits perfectly with our mandate to create awareness, inspire and build capacity among individuals and organizations to engage in sustainability, within Whistler and beyond."

Does tourism have a place in a sustainable world? Can the tourism sector positively contribute to the challenges of climate change, poverty and peace? These questions will be the starting place for the TEDxWhistler journey.

"We will be inviting 100 participants — the TED limit for our event — but everyone can share in the discussions and learning through a live webcast taking place on Feb. 18," says Ho. "We will be inviting up to six presenters, and their talks will foster learning, inspiration and wonder while provoking conversation about tourism's place in a sustainable world. We will also be offering a number of the 100 seats to members of the public who submit the most compelling experience or vision relating to the event theme."