Veteran river outfitter, O.A.R.S., is proud to announce that Reservation Manager and International Adventure Travel Consultant, Mindy Gleason, has once again been recognized as Condé Nast Traveler’s standalone Top Travel Specialist in the River Rafting category. This marks the 5th consecutive year that Gleason, a 20-year veteran at O.A.R.S., has been included in the magazine’s annual Top Travel Specialists Collection. Gleason was honored to receive the recognition from the magazine, stating “I’m excited to be included once again in this exclusive group of travel professionals, all at the top of their game.”

Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Top Travel Specialists Collection recognizes the 133 most prolific travel specialists and booking agents in the business today, as judged by the editors of Condé Nast Traveler Magazine. The 133 travel specialists are each recognized for their field of specialization, whether it be wine tours in France, cultural tours in Nepal, or rafting trips on the great rivers of the world. The feature can be found online and in the December, 2011 print edition of the magazine. The Top Travel Specialists Collection is spearheaded by Condé Nast Traveler’s Director of Consumer News and Digital Community, Wendy Perrin.

Gleason has been with O.A.R.S. since 1991. During her time with the leading adventure company, Gleason has been much more than a behind-the-desk manager, making regular site visits to O.A.R.S. destinations around the world. Gleason has rafted just about every classic O.A.R.S. river from the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon to the Rio Futaléufu in Chile, and if all goes well, she plans to visit Peru, Belize, and Croatia during the 2012 season. Gleason firmly believes in the power of these first-hand experiences, stating that “visiting these extraordinary places is so much more than just a great perk. It’s what allows me to understand and anticipate the needs of each and every client on a personal level, so I can recommend the absolute best travel options for them.”

Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialist profile of Gleason states that “Gleason has spent the past 26 years running rapids of every difficulty and has personally rafted 27 of the more than 35 rivers and coastlines used on O.A.R.S. trips, including waterways that the company has exclusive access to in Grand Teton National Park, British Columbia, and Fiji. She’ll customize an adventure to your needs, whether that means sleeping in the wilderness or at a top ecolodge.” Gleason was first honored as the Top River Rafting Travel Specialist in 2007, and has won the honor every year since.

Since 1969 O.A.R.S. has set the standard in first-class rafting, sea kayaking and multi-sport vacations, with destinations and unparalleled experiences on over 35 rivers and coastlines of the world. O.A.R.S. caters to active travelers of all ages and abilities with more than 75 unique itineraries worldwide, including one-day and weekend escapes. For more information on O.A.R.S. eco-friendly family adventures visit www.oars.com, email the company at info@oars.com or call 1-800-346-6277.