Erik Weihenmayer's Soldiers to the Summit Expedition takes off!

BlindVision Newsletter The latest from Erik Weihenmayer Quick Links Blog Books and DVDs About Erik Book a show Support a Soldier to the Summit! Help us get 12 disabled soldiers to the summit of a spectacular peak in Nepal. Learn More Sponsor a Soldier A Penny A Foot $200.75 Your Donation Gets: Expedition T-shirt Expedition DVD Greetings! We're off! It's been a year in the making and taking countless hours of work...now the Soldiers to the Summit Expedition is underway. We are confident that our planning and preparation will reward us with a great experience for everyone. However, mountaineering in the Himalaya is never a sure thing so we need a bit of luck to achieve our goal! Full Scholarships Achieved From the beginning, one of our top priorities was to provide full scholarships for all of our soldier heroes. These men and women have given more for their country than most of us can possibly imagine so it was up to all of us to give something back to them. It took countless phone calls, emails, and handshakes but we managed just enough sponsorship so that all of the soldiers have their expenses covered for the trip of a lifetime! We still are raising funds to cover additional expenses and support World TEAM Sports, the nonprofit behind the expedition. Major contributions came from many companies and individuals including: National Guard Bureau, Polartec, Quaker, ADS Inc., Air Line Pilots Association, Boy Scouts of America, CG School/3DATS, Circadence, Deloitte, Disabled Sports USA, KFC Corporation, La Sportiva, Ocean Spray, Outward Bound, Pershing, Fisher Nut, Sybill Robson Orr, Raytheon, West Pharmaceuticals, Motorola, Gamestop, Mountain Hardwear, Stratus Global, AmeriPride Tax Group, Dermatone Soldiers to the Summit film trailer The  expedition will be filmed by Michael Brown of Serac Films and students in the Outside Adventure Film School. The resulting documentary will be shown one evening in theaters across the country via satellite broadcast and released as a DVD. Before leaving, Michael Brown said, "It is a huge honor to be able to stand along side the men and women who have given so much in service to our country. That is thanks enough. Now we are a single team about to create a whole new set of great memories and experiences. I am looking forward to this more than any expedition in a long time." To watch the trailer, click here: Soldiers to the Summit Film Trailer Follow Our Progress   We have the technology! Not only will we be blogging daily from Nepal but we will also be uploading photos and videos. Click here for my first report on the Soldiers to the Summit web site: Kathmandu blog post Of course, I'll be updating my own blog periodically with original content and my own take on things: BlindVision Blog Thanks for your continued and interest and support. We give courage to others to do great things by our own examples of doing great things.  Reach! Erik Weihenmayer

Black History Month Speakers

It's getting to be about that time of the year to begin planning for 2011 Black History Month.  See a few ideas below from our friends at Royce Carlton, as always feel free to give me a ring if you'd like pricing information and additional ideas.

	October 8, 2010
Elizabeth Alexander Poet • Scholar • Chair of African American Studies, Yale Elizabeth Alexander  explores issues of race, gender and politics through her poetry. She made history when she delivered her poem “Praise Song for the Day” at Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration. A long-time advocate of the arts as a critical element of our civic dialogue, she has said, “Poetry is not meant to cheer; rather, poetry challenges, and moves us towards transformation.” Her new book, Crave Radiance: New and Selected Poems 1990 - 2010, is her first career retrospective, and Publishers Weekly, in a starred review, said it "will cement Alexander's status as even more than the inaugural poet." Speaking topic: Hearing America Singing: Multi-vocal Cultures in America Nancy Giles CBS Sunday Morning contributor • Comedian, Actress  A funny, provocative, and perceptive observer of today’s world, Nancy Giles  has made her mark dismantling misconceptions about race, feminism, and sexism with her social commentaries and theater pieces, and with appearances on CNN, The Today Show and Hardball with Chris Matthews. Speaking on topics ranging from popular culture and body image to creativity and stereotypes, Giles says, “I want to make people laugh and I want to entertain them, but I also want to provoke thought and discussion.”  Speaking topic: My Wacky Adventures in Race & Racism   Walter Mosley Novelist • Social Commentator  Exploring the black experience in America over the past seven decades, through 38 books of fiction and non-fiction, Walter Mosley  has consistently given a powerful voice to complex African-American protagonists as few other fiction writers have done. The Boston Globe hailed him as “one of the nation's finest writers." In 2009 Mosley conceived "Ten Things," a monthly feature for The Nation connecting readers to political advocacy and social activism opportunities, and is writing an HBO series based on The Long Fall – the pilot will be co-written and directed by Jonathan Demme and produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman. Twice awarded the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, this fall Mosley will release The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, and in Spring 2011 will release When the Thrill is Gone, the third installment of his Leonid McGill series. Speaking topic: The Only True Race is the Human Race 10,000 years of history run in my veins (CNN) Jamaica Kincaid Writer • Novelist • Professor  Through her books and novels, including Annie John, Lucy, At the Bottom of the River and A Small Place, Jamaica Kincaid  has carved out a unique place in the American literary landscape. Her stories are deeply rooted in her experiences as a child growing up in Antigua. Kincaid says, “I never give up thinking about the way I came into the world, how my ancestors came from Africa to the West Indies as slaves...It’s like a big wave that’s still pulsing.” Kincaid started her academic career at Harvard University, holding joint appointments in English and African American Studies, and is currently a professor at Claremont McKenna College. In her speeches, Kincaid discusses the importance of our own personal landscapes, history and cultural identity. Speaking topic: Landscapes and Memory Anna Deavere Smith Playwright • Actor • Professor  Anna Deavere Smith  uses her singular brand of theater to explore issues of community, character and diversity in America with plays including Fires in the Mirror, Twilight: Los Angeles, and Let Me Down Easy. She was awarded the prestigious MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Fellowship for creating “a new form of theatre — a blend of theatrical art, social commentary, journalism and intimate reverie.” Engaging audiences in the complex issues surrounding race and identity, all of her presentations include theatrical performance elements as she transforms herself into characters she has created for each event. She currently has a recurring role on the Showtime series Nurse Jackie. Speaking topic: Snapshots: Glimpses of America In Change

Association Video Projects

So I know I have boasted about our video production team before.  But seriously, if you're putting together any association meetings or corporate events you should be incorporating video into your event experience.  And when you do - you should use James and his team to deliver a scripted and creative solution.  Why you ask?  Well I'm glad you asked: 


James Favata's Video Résumé from JPF Blog on Vimeo.

Innovation Keynote Speakers

Just a quick share today, three people in particular who I have had the pleasure of spending time with lately and who have been up to remarkable things:

Peter Diamandis
One of his many TED videos
Peter Developed the organization XPRIZE, which has inspired teams to develop private aircraft travel to outer space (multiple successes!), cars with 100mpg (just announced the winner last week), human GNOME mapping innovations: “To stimulate breakthrough innovation in the field of genomic sequencing, the X PRIZE Foundation has launched a global competition with a $10 million prize for the winner of the Archon Genomics X PRIZE”. He talks about innovations in Space Exploration, competitiveness, creativity, employee engagement, human genome research among many other industries - anything is possible

Robert Tercek
Robert Tercek is one of the world’s most prolific creators of interactive content. He has created breakthrough entertainment experiences on every digital platform, including satellite television, game consoles, broadband Internet, interactive television and mobile networks. His expertise spans television, telecommunications and software. More information to follow (will edit this post shortly and insert links for you)

Leroy Chiao
Leroy is a former astronaut and commander of the International Space Station-- who spent a record 229 days in space. He speaks five language, is very intelligent but he has a nice gentle and personable demeanor. .
His presentation is really a great personal story with a global view of the world due to his extensive international experience, working in Russia for 3 years and living on the Space Station for 6 months. He has hands-on experience as a leader in one of the most high pressure and exacting fields known to man, managing a diverse team, and constantly evaluating and re-evaluating potentially life or death implications of his actions for that team.


Who are some of your favorite innovation speakers out there?

Bob Woodward’s New Book & the Mid-term Elections

Bob Woodward's forthcoming book, Obama's Wars, was reported in the national press today just days before its release to the public. Leading Authorities is pleased to offer Bob Woodward as one of the nation's most compelling speakers on the top issues of our time. If you have an interest in him for one of your upcoming meetings, please let us know by responding to this email.

The Wall Street Journal reports in today's edition that "Election Day Starts Now!" The Journal article states that "forty-two days before the polls open, many voters are already casting their ballots." Michael Phillips writes, "Democrats are betting they can use early voting to help avoid a repeat of the throw-the-bums out elections of 1994." And "GOP organizers say they have accelerated get-out-the-vote efforts to fit the early-voting calendar."

For insights on what all this means, Leading Authorities presents the best political line-up of former office holders, political pundits, pollsters, analysts, and journalists, including: Donna Brazile, Tony Blankley, John Breaux, Ron Brownstein, Charlie Cook, Jon Corzine, Tom Davis, Anita Dunn, Martin Frost, Ed Gillespie, David Gregory, Carlos Gutierrez, Peter Hart, John Harris, Amy Holmes, Trent Lott, Frank Luntz, Terry McAuliffe, Bill McInturff, Kelly O'Donnell, Dana Perino, Stu Rothenberg, Larry Sabato, Bob Schieffer, John Sununu, Chuck Todd, Jim VandeHei, and Amy Walter...to name a few! If you need help with your fall meeting, please drop us a line!

High Powered Leadership, Business, Military, Labor & Sports Speakers

Leadership, innovation, communication, and breakthrough performance are not limited to any one discipline. Great leaders can be found in business, labor unions, sports teams, and our military. For your next meeting, consider an all-star panel of top leaders from different disciplines who have changed the world by changing their organizations and fields. Get the most out of your panel by using a nationally-known moderator to coax insight from the panelists and create an understanding with practical implications for the audience.

For example, choose a business leader from the Leading Authorities roster of corporate talent: AG Lafley, former CEO of Procter & Gamble, who doubled P&G's market cap; Lee Scott, former chairman and CEO of Wal-Mart, who led the company's global expansion and leadership on issues like sustainability and health care; Gordon Bethune, former CEO of Continental Airlines, who remade the company vaulting it from worst to first; Carlos Gutierrez, former CEO of Kellogg's, who took great brands, made them better, and expanded the company around the world; or Kevin Roberts, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi, who has done pioneering work in helping companies make emotional connections with their customers.

Choose a top military leader like: retired General Stanley McChrystal; former CIA Director General Michael Hayden; General Tony Zinni; or General Dan Christman, who finished first in his class at West Point!

Consider an iconic labor leader like Andy Stern, the former president and CEO of the Service Employees International Union, who led a resurgence of labor in the hospitality and service jobs sector.

And don't forget leading sports coaches and legends like Pat Riley, Mike Ditka, Don Shula, and Stan Kasten.

Once you have your all-star panel, choose a prominent moderator to ask the right questions and facilitate a program with real learning potential. Charlie Rose, Joe Scarborough, Alexis Glick and Forrest Sawyer are just a few of the savvy moderators we frequently work with.

New Exclusives from Leading Authorities

Many clients often ask for a rundown of our latest exclusive speakers, so I thought I'd share the updated list. If you are looking for new and notable speakers for your event, we've got you covered.

General Stanley McChrystal: The former commander of U.S. and International forces in Afghanistan, few people have as much insight about leadership in the face of rapidly changing circumstances as General McChrystal. Citing stories from his extraordinary career, he presents a four-star management strategy, stressing openness, teamwork, and forward-thinking.

Lee Scott: The former president and CEO of Wal-Mart, Scott ran the world's largest retailer with more than 2.1 million associates and 7,390 retail operations in 16 markets around the world. The opportunity to hear his best practices, war stories, and insights is highly beneficial for any organization. Scott prefers a Q&A format to address issues that the audience really cares about.

Mika Brzezinski: The smart and savvy co-host of MSNBC's Morning Joe, Mika Brzezinksi loves to talk politics. A veteran reporter who has covered some of the biggest stories in the last decade, Mika gives audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the headlines and hot topics of the day. She is also a great choice for a moderator.

Bill Conaty: The former senior VP of human resources for GE, Bill Conaty helped shape the modern face of human resources. He was legendary for his ability to attract and nurture top talent, and develop business leaders. In Bill's presentations, he examines the core of leadership potential, and explains how to assess the characteristics and capabilities of rising stars or new hires.

AG Lafley: One of the most celebrated management leaders of the past decade, Lafley led a turnaround at P&G that continues to astound competitors and business observers; during his tenure sales doubled, profits quadrupled, and P&G's market value increased by more than $100 billion dollars. Lafley's presentations are an unprecedented look into the mind behind one of the largest, and most successful, corporations in the world.

Nick Bilton: The lead technology writer/reporter for The New York Times Bits Blog, and the author of I Live in the Future & Here's How It Works, Nick Bilton's presentations are both visionary and practical. He explores how organizations will communicate with customers and tell stories about their industry in the next two to twenty years.

Finally, we have a great new political pairing to share with you. Tom Davis (R-VA) and Martin Frost (D-TX) both chaired their party's respective campaign committees during crucial election cycles and they love to talk strategy. These political insiders are a great choice to explore everything that happens before and after the upcoming midterm elections.

If you are interested in learning more about any of these exclusive speakers, give me a call at 202-721-7675