Expatriate Families, Their Struggles, Successes Is Focus of Upcoming Houston Conference

HOUSTON, TX, February 17, 2008 – Expatriate families and the struggles and successes they face is the focus of next month’s 10th Annual Families in Global Transition Conference March 6-8 at the Omni Houston Hotel.

Delegates and speakers from around the world will gather to participate in more than 50 informative sessions.The conference theme is: “Supporting the Family: Accomplishing the Assignment.”

“Expatriate families and their needs are often overlooked. This is the only conference in the world that brings together representatives of the corporate, military, missionary, diplomatic and educational sectors,” said Joyce Blake, executive director of the nonprofit organization that sponsors it.

Blake said this will be the third year the conference has met in Houston because of the overwhelming number of families moved around the world by oil and gas companies whose corporate headquarters are in the city. “There is a need for expatriate support wherever families relocate, but the need is particularly striking in Houston,” she said.

Human resources personnel, relocation experts, educators and counselors attend to discuss the challenges and benefits of living abroad and returning home. Recertification credits are offered through the Human Resource Certification Institute.

Five pre-conference, skill-building workshops are offered, which include:
• “Welcome Aboard YOUR Cultural Transition Journey: A Family
Resiliency-Building Program
• Navigation Tools for Successful Expatriate Transitions
• Could You be an Expat Entrepreneur?
• International Marriage Mentoring: 12 Conversations
• Wise as Doves and Innocent as Serpents: Promoting Organizational Health in International Settings

Concurrent sessions focus on:
• Third Culture Kids (TCK’s)
• Family and organizational transitions
• Repatriation, HR, ROI and educational transition
• Cross-sector best practices
• Concerns of expatriate teenagers and spouses

Space is limited for the 3-hour, pre-conference workshops. Visit www.figt.org to register and learn more about the sessions and presenters. For information about conference fees, registration and schedules, visit www.figt.org or call 317-888-9678.

# # #

About Families in Global Transition
Families in Global Transition (FIGT) is a 503c3 nonprofit organization that offers conferences and year-round benefits through its Associates Program and expanding educational websites. Sandy Thomas, Director of USA Girl Scouts Overseas, of Girl Scouts of the USA, is president of the FIGT 11-member board of directors. Information can be obtained about the organization at www.figt.org or by calling 317-888-9678.

Focus: Houston expatriate families, oil and gas industry, energy industry

Contact Information

Joyce Blake

Executive Director

Families in Global Transition

Contact via E-mail