NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa., May 25, 2006 -- Project Management Institute (PMI), the world's leading not-for-profit advocacy association for the project management profession, will hold its North America congress in Seattle, Washington, USA, 21-24 October 2006. PMI Global Congress 2006-North America is the major project management educational and networking event of the year.

Lester Thurow, MIT economist and author of Fortune Favors the Bold: Winners and Losers in a Global Economy, provides the keynote speech on Sunday, 22 October. Professor Thurow is one of the world's preeminent thought leaders on the global economy and leadership, and has an unrivaled reputation for his ability to explain complex economic issues in lay terms.

In addition to more than 80 educational sessions, 12 areas of focus, and PMI's annual awards ceremony and reception, two new sessions will be introduced:

* Breakfast speakers on Monday and Tuesday mornings, featuring Mike Mullane, astronaut, and Neal Whitten, PMP.

* Lunchtime Exhibitor Educational Presentations (LEEPs). Formerly held during breakfast hours, expanded, 90-minute LEEPs will take place Sunday, 22 October, from noon to 2 p.m.

Project Management Professional (PMP(R)) certificants can earn professional development units (PDUs) toward maintaining their credential by their participation at all these sessions.

The annual PMI Awards Ceremony and Reception will be held Saturday, 21 October, where PMI will bestow its professional and component awards on the teams and individuals who have advanced their communities and organizations through project management, including the coveted Project of the Year Award.

Microsoft is official host sponsor of PMI Global Congress 2006-North America. Other sponsors include PMI Corporate Council member and PMI Alliance Circle Platinum members the International Institute for Learning Inc.; PMI Alliance Circle Bronze members Primavera, Hewlett Packard and ESI International; and PMI Corporate Council member Boston University Corporate Education Center.

PMI Global Congress 2006-North America will be held at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in the heart of downtown Seattle. Advance registration is now open. The advance registration rate for PMI Members is $795 (US); nonmember rate is $995 (US). Advance registration deadline is 11:59 p.m. Central Daylight Time (GMT -7) on 4 October 2006. On-site registration fees will apply beginning 5 October 2006. Attendees are encouraged to register as early as possible. To register online and for more information on PMI Global Congress 2006-North America, please visit http://www.pmi.org.

About PMI

With nearly 220,000 members in more than 150 countries, Project Management Institute (PMI) is the leading membership association for the project management profession. PMI is actively engaged in advocacy for the profession, setting professional standards, conducting research and providing access to a wealth of information and resources. PMI also promotes career and professional development and offers certification, networking and community involvement opportunities.

For more than 36 years, PMI has advanced the careers of practitioners who have made project management indispensable in achieving business results. For more information, please visit http://www.pmi.org.