Featured Stories
Will Obama and McCain Find Common Ground in Election 2008?
Now that the intense race for the Democratic presidential nomination is over and Barack Obama has claimed the nomination, the United States has been thrust full-speed into general election politics. Senators Obama and McCain, symbols of change and dynamism in their respective parties, have a unique opportunity to bring a positive dialogue to the political arena. The popular writer’s of USA Today’s “Common Ground” column, Democratic strategist Bob Beckel and conservative columnist Cal Thomas, are proponents of finding compromise and commonalities between Democrats and Republicans on critical issues. The offer their thoughts on bipartisanship and the upcoming election to Keppler Speakers.
Bob Beckel: Obama maintained his common ground message throughout the primaries and it was the central message as he claimed the Democratic nomination. McCain also has spoken and emphasized his own history of bipartisan common ground. I expect the general election will be fought over experience and which candidate is better suited to pursue a common ground approach to governing. An interesting aspect of this is McCain calling on Obama to join him in ten town hall meetings, which is exactly what Cal and I called for in our book, Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War That is Destroying America.
Cal Thomas: Rarely have two candidates been so well positioned to take advantage of the common ground team. Both have talked about it and John McCain especially has a record of practicing it in the Senate, to the consternation of some of the most conservative Republicans. This was a theme of George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign, but it never took off. This time, all of the stars are in place if both candidates follow through and if the winner practices what he is now preaching. The American public will be the ultimate beneficiary.
Lights, Camera, Action…Join Us at the PCMA Leadership Conference
The PCMA Leadership Conference, one of the meeting planning industry’s most educational events, is being held in Los Angeles from June 8-10. Keppler Speakers, a PCMA Premier Partner, is a proud sponsor of several of the conference speakers, including best-selling author James Bradley, that will help lead your team to greatness.
Kicking off the Conference is Frank Miles, a comedian and juggler whose masterful presentations lead audiences to embrace the obstacles in their lives and learn to achieve their goals.
On Monday, June 9, Victoria Labalme will present her breakout session, “Crazy, Busy, Nuts.” Using movement, humor, and cutting-edge commentary, Labalme will help renew your energy for work and life.
Tuesday, June 10, James Bradley will deliver his stirring “Doing the Impossible” keynote at the closing general session. Drawing on his extensive research into the Pacific War, Iwo Jima, and his book, Flags of Our Fathers, Bradley demonstrates how ordinary people can achieve the seemingly impossible through innovative thinking. With inspiring and uplifting insight, Bradley changes lives and makes a difference. Read more about Bradley and his work in this month’s issue of Convene magazine.
We’re looking forward to seeing you in Los Angeles next week! For more information on the PCMA Leadership Conference, please click here. Contact Keppler Speakers bureau for more details on any of the sponsored speakers.
Lighten Up! Humorists Bring Out the Best in Your People
Need relief from heavy topics? Just want a laugh? Bring the fun back to your organization with hilarious comic speakers who will help relax your team and reignite workplace excitement!
Pulitzer Prize-winner Dave Barry is one of the country’s best known humorists and best-selling authors. Known for his witty, amusing commentary on life’s little idiosyncrasies, Barry is full of the relatable insights that were the focus of his syndicated column for over 15 years. Barry’s intelligent, unique brand of humor brings out the best in every audience.
Called “the corporate world’s favorite funnyman” by Chicago Magazine, comedian Greg Schwem is the perfect emcee and satirist for any group struggling with the absurdities of 21st century business. Schwem has performed for McDonald’s, Motorola, IBM, and Ernst & Young, and his wholesome, hilarious “Comedy with a Byte” presentation is a customized, light-hearted look at your business and technology today.
Thirteen-time Comedian of the Year Buzz Sutherland has the key to personal and professional success: treat your co-workers like family! Combining his love of entertaining and love of family, Sutherland’s blend of humor improves workplace communication, turning colleagues into good friends and making work fun again!
Motivational humorist Scott Friedman gets audiences feeling good while improving performance! Showing how to relieve stress and burnout, master change, and create value in any career, Friedman’s humor is perfect for any group. With his quick-thinking improve skills and helpful “how-to” tips for taking control of life, he makes meetings enjoyable and educational.
Contact Keppler Speakers bureau for more information on these unique comic voices!
Revitalize Your Life with Healthcare Speaker Dr. Drew Pinsky
Improving overall wellness begins with mental health. And who can deliver that message in both entertaining and informative ways but healthcare speaker Dr. Drew Pinsky. Star of the VH1 hit TV show, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, and a popular expert on mental health, Dr. Drew is a practicing internist whose wide-ranging experiences offer insight into mind-body balance. In thoughtful presentations that draw from his clinical work and his radio show Loveline, Pinsky helps individuals take charge of their personal well-being.
Whether battling addiction or improving life’s relationships, your audience will learn the best ways to reach optimum mental health. Engaging audiences in a two-way dialogue, Pinsky delivers heartfelt, funny, and informative presentations bringing the best of contemporary healthcare directly to your organization.
Widely sought-after for his insights, Pinsky has appeared on Oprah, the Today Show, and Good Morning America, and has been featured in TIME, Newsweek, and more. He was also the star of the Discovery Health Channel series Strictly Dr. Drew, which addressed everyday health issues. A preeminent voice on mental health, Pinsky is also the medical director of the Department of Clinical Dependency at Las Encinas Hospital.
