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March 26, 1999 JOURNALISTS: Here's a story idea and some Purdue events during the next two weeks. Vacation plans: Separating the risky from sure thing When it comes to planning the summer vacation, how you plan says as much about you as where you go. "Risk takers often get burned when it comes to vacations," says Joe La Lopa, assistant professor of restaurant, hotel, institutional and tourism management. That's because they often rely on slick brochures and advertising hype when choosing their vacation destination. "If you embrace tragedy and comedy with the same enthusiasm, then planning your vacation that way may be for you," he says. However, the more sedate travelers usually pick vacation spots based on the advice of trusted family and friends. "To be safe, ask them 'Have you been there? Did you like it? What did you do?'" he suggests. La Lopa says taking the advice of family and friends on where to go is usually a safe bet. CONTACT: Joe La Lopa, (765) 494-6218 Events Tuesday, March 30. Lecture and dinner with Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, a fund-raiser presented by Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne . Lecture at 7 p.m., dinner at 8 p.m. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Speech topic is "Leadership: From the War Room to the Board Room." No photographs or recording will be allowed during the speech. Journalists had until March 24 to arrange for passes to a five-minute photo opportunity at 6:40 p.m. in the Archer Room. Schwarzkopf will not be available for interviews or to answer questions from journalists. CONTACT: Alice Alesia, IPFW University Relations, (219) 481-6165, AlesiaA@ipfw.edu Friday, April 2. John E. Barnes, chairman and chief executive officer, Materials Processing, Inc., Logansport, talks about "Entrepreneurism, a Way of Life" at the Krannert Executive Forum. 11:30 a.m. Krannert Building Auditorium. Reporters are asked to refrain from asking questions, videotaping or taking photographs during the lecture, but all are allowed during the student question-and-answer sessions. CONTACT: Tamyra Gibson, director of public relations, School of Management, (765) 494-4392, gibson@mgmt.purdue.edu Friday, April 2. Board of Trustees meeting. 1:30 p.m. Room 304 (Anniversary Drawing Room), Purdue Memorial Union. (Date changed from March 26.) CONTACTS: Jeanne V. Norberg, director, Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2084; jeanne_norberg@purdue.edu, or Joseph L. Bennett, vice president for University Relations, (765) 494-2082; joe_bennett@purdue.edu Friday, April 9. Rear Adm. David S. Belz, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters (G-SEA), Washington, D.C., talks about "Drug Trafficking: A Transnational Threat for the New Millennium" at the Krannert Executive Forum. 11:30 a.m. Krannert Building Auditorium. Reporters are asked to refrain from asking questions, videotaping or taking photographs during the lecture, but all are allowed during the student question-and-answer sessions. Interviews with Belz can be prearranged through Tamyra Gibson, director of public relations, School of Management, (765) 494-4392, gibson@mgmt.purdue.edu Saturday, April 10. The 11th annual National Rube Goldberg Machine Contest. 11 a.m. Elliott Hall of Music. Teams of students from colleges and universities across the nation build machines that use at least 20 steps to tee up a golf ball. The contest is sponsored by the Purdue chapter of Theta Tau. Journalists will not be allowed on the stage with the machines during the competition, but they are welcome on stage before and after the contest. Purdue will provide video and photo pool coverage and direct audio and video feeds. An ISDN line is available for radio interviews. Video b-roll, photos and a news release will be available the afternoon of the event. Satellite assistance is available. CONTACT: Grady Jones, Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2079, grady_jones@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page