Giuliani joins growing ranks of speakers
LINEUP: Cohen, Amos also attending
| Sunday, Dec 13 2009 12:02 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Dec 16 2009 09:29 AM
Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and 2008 Republican presidential candidate, will speak at next year's Bakersfield Business Conference, the event's organizers have announced.
Joining him in the latest list of confirmed speakers are negotiations expert Herb Cohen and entrepreneur Wally Amos. They are among a growing lineup of prominent national figures planning to speak at the Oct. 9 event, including former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, former Vice President Dick Cheney and Republican strategist Karl Rove.
"Rudy Giuliani earned the title 'America's mayor' when he demonstrated what it means to be a decisive and resolute leader in the wake of the 9-11 attacks," conference organizer George Martin wrote in a news release.
"Most of our lineup in 2010 will be addressing the conference for the first time, but we've decided to bring Rudy back not only because his previous speech on leadership to our conference earned an extended standing ovation, but also because his example will prove inspirational to business leaders who may also be struggling to lead their organizations through difficult times in a less than ideal economic environment."
Cohen, an author, trainer and practicing negotiator, has been involved in resolving disputes on the world and national stages, from the Iranian hostage crisis to an NFL players strike.
"Herb Cohen teaches negotiation skills like no one else does," Martin wrote. "After listening to Herb, our attendees will not only understand the proper mindset to bring to the negotiating table, they'll also have a smile on their face. I expect that Herb Cohen will be one of our attendees' favorite speakers in 2010."
Amos worked as a talent agent before inventing and becoming the widely recognizable face of Famous Amos cookies. More recently, he has written a book and served as host of a series of public television learning programs.
"Wally Amos worked his way up from the mailroom at William Morris Agency to become their first African-American talent agent," Martin wrote. "He'd later lead William Morris' 'rock and roll' division during the birth of that musical genre. Long before Famous Amos cookies, he represented Simon & Garfunkel, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke. He's a natural entrepreneur whose talents as a speaker and storyteller will captivate our attendees."
More conference speakers are to be announced in coming weeks.
For conference updates and ticket details, go to www.bpcbakbusconf.com.
