Dream lineup for leadership conference
Martin Luther King III, Mark Messier, Ron Sakamoto among speakers for Greatness in Leadership conference
Achieving a milestone begins with having a dream. That’s what Teamworks Training Institute hopes to inspire with its announcement of the speaker lineup for its third annual Greatness in Leadership conference on March 7.
The theme is “I Have a Dream,” inspired by the legendary Martin Luther King Jr. Who better to embody that message than King Jr.’s son, global humanitarian Martin Luther King III, who will headline the event along with six-time Stanley Cup champion and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Mark Messier.
“There’s no bigger inspiration than Martin Luther King Jr., his ‘I have a dream’ and the differencemaking he did in his lifetime,” said Ryan Miller, president and CEO of Teamwork Training Ltd. “When we take a look at celebrating being Canadian and being a difference maker, and celebrating our wonderful national game as well, there’s no better leader in professional sports than Mark Messier.”
The year 2017 is about celebrating milestones, something Teamworks wanted to accomplish in the theme of this year’s event. Along with Canada’s 150th birthday, there are many milestones being celebrated within our community including the University of Lethbridge’s 50th, Lethbridge College’s 60th and Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden’s 50th anniversaries. It’s also Teamworks’ 25th anniversary.
“We decided to turn our focus on Lethbridge this year and celebrate that, and really focus on the development of fostering difference makers in our community,” said Miller.
One local celebrity on the agenda is legendary promoter and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Ron Sakamoto.
The roster also includes leadership expert and bestselling author Ty Bennett, founder and CEO of Imaginea Energy Suzanne West, and Bob Black, executive vicepresident of Arena Corp. and Chief Project Development Officer for the Oilers Entertainment Group.
Last year featured astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Chris Hadfield. Wayne Gretzky headlined the event in 2015.
Every year has its own interesting challenges and themes, Miller said, but the most important challenge is to ensure people value the day. Miller said it’s not just the headline speakers, but the quality of the speakers who may not be as well known who have important messages to share.
“It’s those folks that sometimes offer the most value and I think we have a tremendous lineup of some real difference makers, as well as recognizing our very own Ron Sakamoto, which many people don’t know, is the top independent promoter in North America and is part of the CCM Hall of Fame,” said Miller. “To be able to tell his story and hear how he became so legendary, I think, is very inspirational for all.”
The one-day management development conference has become the largest gathering of business, community and future leaders in southern Alberta.
More than 800 business and community leaders, as well as over 400 high school, college and university students have attended in the past. Students attend for free, providing them an opportunity to learn and network. Since inception, the event has raised $25,000 towards student scholarships.
Mayor Chris Spearman said the event has a great message each year and helps elevate the profile of Lethbridge, offering first-class events with world-class speakers.
“It’s an investment in time, it’s an investment in people, and an investment in youth,” said Spearman. “What are the skills needed to be successful? How do we realize our dreams as a community and as individuals? What a great investment in our city and in community spirit, to put on this event and see how well it’s attended, how well it’s supported by the business community, and my hat goes off to the organizers.”
Tickets to Greatness in Leadership at the Enmax Centre go on sale Monday, which is Martin Luther King Day. Sponsored VIP tables of eight are available for $2,700 plus GST, and can be purchased by phoning Christian Blott at 403-388-1052. Half tables are also available at $1,500 plus GST.
Individual and all-day stadium seat sales are available at the Enmax Centre box office during regular business hours or at www.enmaxcentre.ca. Individual seats are $400 plus GST, stadium seats are $275 plus GST (no lunch or networking reception included). Evening stadium ticket sales will be announced on Jan. 31.
All early bird prices are in effect until Feb. 24. Then prices will increase as follows: Table of eight ($3,000+GST), table of four ($1,700+GST), individual seats ($450+GST). Stadium seat pricing (no lunch or networking reception included) remains the same.
Additional announcements will be made closer to the event date. For more information, visit www.greatnessinleadership.ca.
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