EPAX (MM)

People to People Ambassador Programs Continues to Serve as Exclusive Educational Travel Provider; Celebrates Fifth Decade of Relationship SPOKANE, Wash. and KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ambassadors Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:EPAX), a leading provider of educational travel experiences, today announced that the company's subsidiary Ambassador Programs Inc., has renewed its long-established, and respected relationship with the not-for-profit Kansas City, Missouri-based People to People International (PTPI). The People to People Ambassador Programs business unit serves as the exclusive travel provider for PTPI to carry on the People to People movement initially formed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. People to People Ambassador Programs has served as travel provider for People to People International for nearly 50 years. Dating back to the early 1960's, the organization has traveled more than 400,000 citizens to more than 49 countries on seven continents. People to People Ambassador Programs has become the world's most recognized educational travel provider and has helped to carry out the People to People mission, established by President Eisenhower. President Eisenhower stated long ago that, "I have long believed, as have many before me, that peaceful relations between nations require mutual respect between individuals." He put the idea behind these words into practice when he founded the People to People movement in 1956 to bridge the divide between people, places and cultures and to help global citizens gain a better understanding of each other. "We consider it our life's mission to carry on the movement founded by my grandfather," said Mary Eisenhower, president and CEO of People to People International. "I am pleased to have such a solid partner in People to People Ambassador Programs - one that realizes the importance of the mission, and the extent of our commitment to carry forth our programs." "We are extremely fortunate to continue our ongoing partnership with PTPI, having served as travel provider for multiple generations of student leaders and travelers," said Peg Thomas, president of People to People Ambassador Programs. "The long-standing relationship we've fostered with PTPI provides all our travelers unparalleled access to people and places often unattainable by other organizations. Together, we look forward to continuing to make a positive impact on new generations of young people through our once-in-a-lifetime educational travel offerings." The financial terms for the renewal of the agreement have not been disclosed and the contract has been renewed for 10 years, through the year 2020 The charter of PTPI as an organization is to enhance international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities that involve the direct exchange of ideas and sharing of experiences among peoples of different countries and cultures. As a non-partisan institution that has no political affiliation, PTPI continues to support the basic values and goals of its founder. Since President Eisenhower, both PTPI and People to People Ambassador Programs have benefited from an extraordinary legacy of White House support. Eight U.S. Presidents have served as the honorary chairman of People to People International, demonstrating their support of the mission of peace through understanding via educational travel programs available to both students and adults wishing to explore other countries and cultures. The origin of the People to People movement began on September 11, 1956, as part of the U.S. Information Agency. President Eisenhower believed that direct interaction between ordinary citizens around the world could ultimately lead to cultural understanding and world peace. This is the legacy of hope that People to People Ambassador Programs and its partner PTPI attempt to instill in all of its educational travel experiences. Continuing Legacy of Service Both organizations support a legacy of service. People to People Ambassador Programs builds community service components into its Student Ambassador and Citizen Ambassador educational travel programs to provide opportunities for its travelers to give back to communities both domestically and abroad. People to People Ambassador Programs recently announced the 2010 theme of "Education" for its community service component and hopes to surpass the 140,000 community service hours contributed for the 2009 travel year. People to People International also has a legacy of helping communities around the world. For example, since 2004 the organization has been a leading supporter of humanitarian landmine clearance. PTPI's Global Landmine Initiative has joined the United States Department of State Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement - Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, along with 70 other NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to make landmines a priority. Mine action partners work effectively to clear minefields, increase awareness, assist survivors and develop new demining technology. PTPI has supported the removal of more than 1,500 mines and UXO unexploded ordnance in Sri Lanka and Cambodia with a 3-step approach focused on eradication, education and aftercare. In fact, PTPI is the first private U.S. organization to fund an HSTAMIDS or "Smart Detector" team working in humanitarian mine clearance in densely mined areas. From January to April, 2009, its efforts have cleared 155 anti-personnel mines and 6 UXO. About People to People International People to People International (PTPI), with World Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on September 11, 1956 to enhance international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities involving the exchange of ideas and experiences directly among peoples of different countries and diverse cultures. Today, as a NGO with a U.S., not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax rating, PTPI has a presence in 135 countries with more than 80,000 families and individuals actively participating in People to People International programs. Please visit http://www.ptpi.org/ for more information. About People to People Ambassador Programs People to People Ambassador Programs is the most recognized and respected educational travel provider and has provided more than 400,000 citizens of the world the opportunity to promote peace through understanding. The Ambassador Programs include Citizen, Student, Sports and Leadership to promote international and domestic programs for professionals, students, athletes, and the leaders of tomorrow. Participation in a program contributes directly to personal success in a globalized world and fosters international friendships. Our hands on, unique, educational travel programs provide access to people and places beyond compare, and combine unique cultural experiences with personal interaction to create global impact. For nearly 50 years, People to People Ambassador Programs has helped participants travel to seven continents while maintaining an extraordinary track record of travel safety. Our safety record is the result of many factors, including a reliance on federal guidelines, the strength and experience of our leaders, our organization's expertise and experience in program destination countries, a vast global network of resources and team members, and a sincere commitment to the wellbeing of our Ambassadors and their families. For more information, visit http://www.peopletopeople.com/. About Ambassadors Group Ambassadors Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:EPAX) is a socially conscious, education company located in Spokane, Washington. Ambassadors Group is the parent company of Ambassadors Programs Inc. and its People to People Ambassador Programs, World Adventures Unlimited, and BookRags, an educational research website. The company also oversees the Washington School of World Studies, an accredited travel study and distance learning school. Additional information about Ambassadors Group and its subsidiaries is available at http://www.ambassadorsgroup.com/. DATASOURCE: Ambassadors Group, Inc. CONTACT: Dan Lee of Weber Shandwick, +1-425-452-5495, , for Ambassadors Group, Inc. Web Site: http://www.ambassadorsgroup.com/ http://www.ptpi.org/ http://www.peopletopeople.com/

Copyright