Nashville isn't just the home of country music, mechanical bulls, and barbecue. It's also where the Honorable Al Gore resides and the location for the July 2010 new presenter training which was based on his latest climate solutions book, Our Choice.

Last month 115 Canadians travelled to Nashville, Tennessee to receive presenter training from Al Gore. These Canadian presenters were joined by 600 other presenters from 26 countries, and among them were Canadian Play It Cool athletes. Given their hectic and unpredictable schedules, we were lucky to have five passionate Play It Cool members with us - (L-R)  Allan Gornall, former member of the Canadian Sailing Team, Ingrid Liepa, former member of the Canadian Speed Skating Team, Zac Plavzic, member of the Canadian Windsurfing Team, Justin Lamoureux, member of the Canadian Snowboard Team, and Hedia Balkhi, member of the Canadian Dragon Boat Team. Our super-keen, super-talented and super-fit athletes! 

During the three days, Nobel Laureate Al Gore, scientist Dr. Henry Pollack, the National Wildlife Federation President M. Larry Schweiger, as well as the editor of Climate Progress, Dr. Joseph Romm offered an eye-opening look into the science and solutions to climate change. Presenters also benefited from an interactive and entertaining presenter skills training session delivered by Anthony Wilson, Director of Executive Influence.

Now our five trained athletes are preparing their new presentations using the materials from Mr. Gore and spicing slides up with their own compelling stories. Freshly inspired, in a few weeks they'll be ready to receive presentation requests from colleagues, students, businesses, fellow athletes and friends to present the most recent developments in climate change science and technology, as well as everyday solutions for reducing carbon footprints. 

We're very lucky to have this team of athlete presenters and look forward to seeing them inspire Canadians in a new way!