Cultural summit has international flavor

Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu and the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism will host the fourth Cultural Economy Summit on Oct. 29 and 30 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. The summit will offer professional-development seminars, break-out sessions, a plenary session and opportunities for personal and professional networking.

International delegates will engage in targeted business-to-business meetings and roundtable discussions designed to explore best practices and share business strategies that highlight the economic impact of culture. Countries that have confirmed representation at the summit are Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Grenada, Haiti, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, The Philippines, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Suriname, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago.

Deadline for advance registration is Friday, and on-site registration will be available Oct. 29 from 1 to 9 p.m. and Oct. 30 at 7:30 a.m. at the hotel. To register in advance, visit www.culturaleconomysummit.org on the Web. For information, call 225.342.8200.

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The Hispanic Chamber of Louisiana will hold a network meeting today at 5:30 p.m. at Grand Isle Restaurant, 575 Convention Center Blvd. at the corner of Lafayette Street.

The chamber is beginning a series of evening business-training courses in Spanish from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hispanic Business Resources & Technology Center, on the campus of the Louisiana Technical College, 5200 Blair Drive, Building 1, Room 22, in Metairie. Ruperto Chavarri, a native of Spain, will be the instructor. For information, call Darlene Kattan at 504.885.4262 or e-mail dkattan@hccl.biz.

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The International School of Louisiana will host an open house for parents and prospective students for kindergarten and grades 1-8 on Saturday at 10 a.m. and Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. at 1400 Camp St.

Named "Charter School of the Year" by the Center for Education Reform, the International School of Louisiana is tuition-free. The school's mission is to provide education emphasizing French and Spanish language immersion, international awareness, the celebration of diversity and community responsibility. For information, call Alba Bowen, admissions coordinator, at 504.654.1088, ext. 232 or visit www.isl.edu.org on the Web....