Plenary Sessions

As we become more globally connected, technology, information and trends will have a rippling affect across the nation and beyond. What kind of impact will our work today have on the future? Hear from four outstanding keynote presenters who will share their insights on where we are today and what the possibilities are for tomorrow.

Sam Palmisano Thursday, July 31 3:00 p.m. The ever-flattening world is presenting businesses in every North American community with both challenges and opportunities. The role of chambers in forging linkages to markets, partnerships and investment will evolve in exciting new ways in the coming years. Hear from Sam Palmisano, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the IBM Corporation -- the $90+ billion company that has been in the top 20 of the Fortune 500 for a generation -- as he explores the innovative ways that global and Main Street priorities will converge, making chambers more relevant and valuable than ever before.

Frank Luntz, Ph.D. Friday, August 1 8:00 a.m.  What’s behind winning campaign slogans and career ending political blunders?  Why do some speeches resonate and endure while others are so quickly forgotten? The answers lie in the way words are used to influence and motivate, the way they connect thought and emotion.  Take it from Frank Luntz, one of the most honored communication professionals in America today, who helped craft “The Contract with America,” who reframed “drilling for oil” into “exploring for energy” and “vouchers” into “scholarships” – words really can change the course of history. Frank will raise the curtain on the art of effective language, offer priceless insight on how to find and use the right words to get what you want, and explain the phenomenon of transforming simple ideas into an effective language arsenal for the war of perception we all wage each day.

Rohit Talwar Saturday, August 2 8:00 a.m.  Innovation has been on the corporate agenda for several years now. But, how effective have you become at making innovation part of your organization’s DNA? Rohit Talwar, an award winning futurist speaker, entrepreneur, specialist advisor and strategic change agent, spends his time traveling the world researching the ideas that will shape the future and meeting the people and organizations behind them. Rohit will draw on his global research and consulting examining the cutting edge of innovation to provide practical insights on how your organization can learn from the latest thinking and drive innovation at every level. How will you prepare your chamber to spot and exploit future opportunity? How will you drive rapid and radical innovation to be first to future?

Soledad O’Brien Saturday, August 2 12:15 p.m.  Soledad O'Brien is an anchor and special correspondent for CNN: Special Investigations Unit, reporting hour-long documentaries throughout the year and filing in-depth stories on the most important ongoing and breaking news stories for all major CNN programs. From her recent series of eye-opening reports on conditions south of the border that fuel illegal immigration to the United States to her ongoing initiative titled "Children of the Storm," which provides video cameras to young Hurricane Katrina survivors so that they can tell their stories of trial and triumph in their own words and images, Soledad has distinguished herself by reporting on the transformational stories that have broken on her watch. From her unique position as witness and reporter, hear Soledad discuss the hot button issues and events from across the country and the world that ultimately impact our communities.