For The Third Year, Food For Thought Offering Full Scholarships To Encourage Diverse Participation

Now in its fourth year, creativity and inspiration conference Food For Thought announced it will provide 10 full scholarships to encourage diverse participation at this year's event, set for April 26-28 in Greenville, S.C.

To maintain its high degree of intimacy and interactivity, Food for Thought limits attendance to approximately 80 guests from across the country and around the world. Event organizers realized that many interested and potentially valuable participants may not be able to pay the roughly $3,000 cost for registration and travel, so in 2009 they offered the first Thought Leader Scholarships to allow budding entrepreneurs, academics, non-profit workers and public servants to partake in the dialog.

"Food For Thought has always been about sharing great ideas," said event founder Joe Erwin, president of Greenville marketing firm Erwin-Penland. "Having a diverse group of participants enhances the creative process, so we're thrilled to offer these Thought Leader Scholarships that allow recipients to participate as equals with CEOs, accomplished artists and other visionaries."

To be considered, interested individuals should complete the application available at www.foodforthoughtconference.com/thought-leader-scholarships by Tuesday, March 1 to share insights on their background, aspirations, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Conference organizers will notify recipients by Tuesday, March 15, so that necessary travel arrangements can be made.

The Thought Leader scholarship program is funded through generous donations provided by individuals and organizations. The scholarship provides full tuition to the event, as well as travel expenses to and from Greenville. Recipients will participate fully in all Food For Thought activities but not be identified in any special way, allowing them to mix freely with their fellow conference attendees.

This year's lineup features a robust array of entrepreneurs, food aficionados, social activists and musical artists. Scheduled participants to date include renowned children's advocate and Harlem Children's Zone founder Geoffrey Canada; author and social activist Sir Kenneth Robinson; advertising innovator turned consumer advocate Alex Bogusky; global drinking-water crusader Doc Hendley; Leigh Anne Tuohy, whom Sandra Bullock portrayed in the movie The Blind Side; innovative restaurateur (and former personal chef to Oprah Winfrey) Art Smith; and John Ondrasik, singer/songwriter of the Grammy-nominated band Five For Fighting.

In addition to presenting sponsor Erwin-Penland, Food For Thought 2011 sponsors include DXM Marketing, Michelin North America, ScanSource, Greenville Hospital System/University Medical Center, The Ice Box, Upstate SC Alliance, BMW Manufacturing Corp. and The Riley Institute at Furman University.

To learn more about Food For Thought, visit www.foodforthoughtconference.com.