Professionals Take Humor Seriously at the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humors 2004 Conference in San Francisco March 5-7

Years of research on humor and laughter point to positive effects of incorporating humor into life and work, and The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) leads the way in the advancement, understanding and application of humor, laughter and play. AATHs 2004 conference, Bridging Differences in Vocations, Locations and Relations" will include a lineup of humor leaders speaking about humor advancements worldwide and highlighting how humor affects the workplace and business productivity, community building, politics, parenting, spiritualism, and health and healing in our everyday lives.

(PRWEB) January 8 2004--The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) has announced its 2004 conference theme, Bridging Differences in Vocations, Locations and Relations" and a lineup of speakers that includes humor leaders from around the world. The pre-conference offers specific seminars on Humor in Hospitals" and Humor in Psychotherapy" while the main program will discuss how humor affects the workplace and business productivity, community building, politics, parenting, spiritualism and healing in our everyday lives.

AATH assembles healthcare workers, clergy, educators and business people to celebrate the benefits of humor in numerous applications. Years of research on humor and laughter point to positive effects of incorporating humor in your life and your work, and AATH leads the way in the advancement, understanding and application of humor, laughter and play. The 2004 conference will feature experts detailing how humor can assist human resources professionals, productivity and sales results in business; psychologists, clergy and yoga teachers in mental health; doctors, nurses and hospital workers in physical health; teachers and parents in nurturing young people; and anyone dealing with high stress or low energy.

Both medical and non-medical settings are employing humor as a valuable tool," said Allen Klein, best-selling author, award-winning speaker, educator and AATH President-elect. Humor gives us power and a new perspective, helping us cope and providing the strength to get through lifes most adverse situations."

Our 2004 conference theme brings together experts from around the world to share the latest applications, techniques and results of therapeutic humor in compelling discussions of how to fuel positive change in people and in communities," said Patty Wooten, RN, business consultant and moderator of the 2004 conference. Since we have begun to quantify the effects of laughter, we can now qualify the importance of humor and laughter, either as an adjunct therapeutic tool for patients or as a self-care tool to offset the harmful effects of job stress."

Bridging Differences in Vocations, Locations and Relations" will take place March 5 - 7, 2004 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Francisco and will feature two pre-conference tracks on Friday, March 5: Humor in Hospitals" and Humor in Psychotherapy". General conference sessions take place Saturday, March 6 and Sunday March, 7 and are open to the public by registering online at: http://www.aath.org/conf_current.html

Conference highlights include:

-    Lunch and Learn with your Humor Heroes -- On Friday, registered conference attendees can lunch with some of the most noted people in the humor field, ask questions, request advice, or discuss issues of interest with a selected "hero". Your choice of heroes includes Lifetime Achievement Award winners: Dr. Bill Fry, Kathy Passanisi, Patty Wooten; or Distinguished Scholar from the University of Zurich, Dr. Willibald Ruch. Cost is $20 and seating will be limited.

-    Theatre Benefit with Beach Blanket Babylon -- On Friday, enjoy an evening with attendees at the longest running musical revue in theatre history and help raise funds for the new AATH Humor Library. Register by January 30, cost is $57 and includes a donation to the development of the Library.

-    Annual Awards Banquet -- On Saturday evening, join conference attendees and AATH Board Members in congratulating this years award recipients. Past winners have included: Patch Adams, Jerry Lewis, Steve Allen and Too Live Nurse.

-    International Panel Discussion -- On Sunday at Noon, this important dialog Humor and Laughter Around the World," is open to the public and box lunches will be available for purchase.

-    Get Credit for Attending! -- Continuing Education Credit provided for Nurses, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers. Accredited provider Stanford Hospital and Clinics.

    * California Board of Registered Nursing - Provider Number CEP12165

Pre-Conference = 6.5 contact hours; Main Conference = 13 contact hours. (must attend both days)

* California Board of Behavioral Sciences - Provider Number PCE 344

Pre-Conference = 6.5 CE hours; Main Conference = 13 CE hours. (must attend both days)

-    AATH Book Award -- Beginning in 2004, authors are invited to submit self published and mainstream published books for consideration. At the 2005 conference, AATH will present an award to the book that best helps advance the understanding and application of humor, laughter and play. The winning author will receive $100, a free banquet ticket to the 2005 conference and official AATH Book of the Year" stickers.

About the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor:

The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor is a professional organization founded in 1988 to educate business, education and health care professionals about the beneficial uses of humor and laughter. The organization identifies and promotes the need for research which further investigates the roles humor and laughter play in the workplace, in teaching and counseling, in parenting, and in healthcare settings. AATH encourages, supports, and reports on innovative programs which incorporate the use of humor; disseminates information about humor and laughter to its members through regular publications and educational opportunities; functions as an interdisciplinary network for its members and is a clearinghouse of information on humor and laughter as they relate to well-being.

AATH welcomes anyone interested in learning more about the benefits of applying humor to many different situations. Members come from a wide variety of corporate, clinical and classroom settings and include: psychologists, counselors, nurses, social workers, physicians, business executives, human resource managers, teachers, clergy, caring clowns, speakers, trainers, and many other specialties. For more information about AATH or the 2004 conference, visit www.aath.org or phone 602-995-1454.

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