by Beata Loyfman and Julia Bainbridge

Today we are coming to you live from the Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Congress. This annual event celebrates travel companies that are making a difference in areas of health, education, wildlife, poverty, and environmental or cultural preservation. Its goal is, in part, to provide a forum for engaged discussion of the challenges ahead.

We've been up since dawn and are now mainlining caffeine, but even at this early hour, the entire place is buzzing with excitement. Any minute now Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, will make his keynote address. Shortly thereafter, Queen Rania of Jordan and actress/activist Ashley Judd will take the stage to discuss new initiatives for socially responsible travel.

What will they announce? Check back with us throughout the day for breaking news and updates from the World Savers Congress.

Further reading:
* 2008 World Savers Awards
* Make a Difference: Your online guide to responsible travel
* A Conversation with Queen Rania
* Jeffrey Sach's Grand Experiment: The economist's mission to eradicate poverty
* Editor-in-chief Klara Glowczewska's thoughts on the power of travel