Media advisory - Canada's Largest Youth-Run Conference Hits Winnipeg February 24th

WINNIPEG, Feb. 23, 2014 /CNW/ - Count Me In is coming to Winnipeg! The largest youth-run charity in Canada is beginning their national expansion with the addition of Winnipeg's first annual "Count Me In Conference". Taking over the Centennial Concert Hall on February 24th, 2014, the acclaimed single-day program which will be hosted by "Life With Derek" star, Ashley Leggat, will motivate over 2,000 Manitoba students in grades 7-12 to volunteer locally. The empowering and intimate field-trip inspires community involvement, and helps connect youth with local volunteer opportunities matching their interests.

Over 20 speakers and performers will take part in the inaugural Manitoba event. Some of the inspiring acts gracing the Count Me In Winnipeg stage include:

•    Ashley Leggat - Two-Time Nominated Gemini Actress from the hit series "Life With Derek"

•    Susan Auch - Winnipeg's Three-Time Olympic Medalist and "Right To Play" Charity Ambassador

•    Suzie McNeil - JUNO Nominated Recording Artist and Original Judge from YTV's "The Next Star"

•    Sagkeengs Finest - Manitoba's Métis Canadian dance troupe who won Canada's Got Talent in 2012

•    David Edward Garcia - World's #1 Youth Motivational Comedian; former "at-risk" student

•    The Treble - Winnipeg's Hardest Working Pop Rock Band

•    Maddie Cranston - 9-year-old AfriOceans Ambassador and celebrated Count Me In Speaker

•    Cameron Krisko - Founder of "Making Waves Winnipeg" named one of Canada's Top 20 Under 20

•    Sunjay Nath - World Renowned Performance Coach; Author of "The ABCs of Student Leadership"

•    Michael Champagne - A Shamattawa Native, Youth Activist and "Manitoba Hero"

•    Scott Hammell - Four-Time Guinness World Record Holding Escape Artist and Stuntman

Volunteer Registration is now open for this radical event. As the largest youth-led conference in Canada, Count Me In is currently looking for Manitoba teens who are interested in helping run the event on February 24th. Manitoba students in grades 8-12 are encouraged to sign up at http://bit.ly/VolunteerManitoba. Limited spaces are available and are expected to fill up quickly. This is a unique opportunity for student leaders to be a major part of this Winnipeg milestone.

In addition to the conference being an entirely teen-run event, what sets this dynamic day apart is its unique afterparty. Directly following the line-up of empowering speakers and performers, students are lead to the main lobby which is transformed into the "Count Me In Afterparty". Part VIP reception and part charity tradeshow, the Count Me In Afterparty is a fun way for students to find volunteer opportunities matching their interests. There will be local, provincial and national representation from a wide variety of non-profits, NGOs and charities, all looking to recruit new student volunteers. Count Me In is working with Volunteer Manitoba, as well as dozens of charity partners including World Vision Canada, Canadian Cancer Society, Right To Play, Earth Day Canada, and Plan Canada. The nature of Count Me In is to inspire youth to connect with one another and with their communities. The day will shine a light on the importance of community connection, teamwork, diversity, leadership and charity involvement.

SOURCE: Count Me In

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Website: cmiMovement.com
Social Media:  @cmicountmein   /cmicountmein