Morning General Session

Darren’s story will inspire you. He wanted to be a comedian, but had no encouragement, a fear of speaking, and — worst of all — he wasn’t even funny. He bombed in a Boston comedy club in 1992 but still became the World Champion of public speaking in 2001. He was just a regular guy with no talent, but was persistent and willing to fail. Darren may have been “born without a funny bone in my body,” but he possessed the desire to learn and the willingness to fail necessary to achieve his dream. The self-proclaimed “student of comedy” is living proof that humor is a skill that can be learned.

He interviewed CEOs and business owners who made humor part of their business plan, culling from their successful practices innovative principles that could be applied to any company. He developed an innovative technique of “customizing” humor that reveals the common frustrations and pet peeves about an organization, giving him ammunition that has audiences laughing down to their toes.

Think you can’t be a great speaker? Think again. Darren’s first performance and his championship speech are absolute proof that presenting is a learned skill. Learn in a few minutes what is took him nine years to accomplish.

About the Speaker: LaCroix is a rare combination. He is an author, keynote speaker, and a corporate comedian. Darren’s unique talents also flow into films, commercials, and corporate training videos. He is the co-author of a book called Laugh & Get Rich, that teaches people how to find more joy in each day. He is also the co-founder of the Humor Boot Camp and the Humor Institute Inc., which offers programs to teach people how to be funnier.

Lunch General Session

Join us for a conversation between these two professional women as they share their experiences and insights as career women.

Chandra Cox, Director of Women’s Markets, Diversity Relations, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Chandra began her Wal-Mart career as a temporary hourly associate. Today, her hard work has helped her make a name for herself on the leadership track. She will share her personal leadership lessons, struggles, sacrifices, and victories. Well-versed in women’s issues as a representative for the world’s largest retailer with top women’s organizations and special interest groups, she’s ready to share up-to-date information on current trends.

Cathy Harris, President of C. Harris Companies, Inc. is recognized for producing impressive results by helping executives, managers, supervisors, and staff to identify and implement the best changes for their growth. Cathy’s training and consulting work focuses on the areas of workplace diversity, teambuilding, conflict resolution, and communication.

Cathy has just relocated to Hot Springs, AR after losing her home and business when Hurricane Katrina caused major devastation in New Orleans. She will share her unforgettable story. You’ll be impressed by this entrepreneur’s ability to overcome adversity to emerge even stronger.

Afternoon General Session

Walt Pavlo was responsible for the billing and collection of nearly $1 billion in monthly revenue for MCI’s carrier finance division. Beginning in March of 1996, Walt, one member of his staff and a business associate outside of MCI began to perpetrate a fraud involving a few of MCI’s own customers. When the scheme was completed, there had been seven customers of MCI defrauded over a six-month period resulting in $6 million in payments to the Cayman Islands. In January 2001, in cooperation with the Federal Government, Walt pled guilty to wire fraud and money laundering and entered federal prison shortly thereafter. His story highlights the corrupt dealings involving the manipulation of financial records within a large corporation. His case appeared as a cover story in the June 10, 2002 issue of Forbes Magazine, just weeks before WorldCom divulged that it had over $7 billion in accounting irregularities.

About Walt: Walter “Walt” Pavlo holds an engineering degree from West Virginia University and an MBA from the Stetson School of Business at Mercer University.  He has worked for Goodyear Tire in its Aerospace division as a Financial Analyst, GEC Ltd. of England as a Contract Manager and as a Senior Manager in MCI Telecommunication’s Division where he was responsible for billing and collections in its reseller division.

About Kerry: Kerry Robertson’s unique experience as a television news anchor and talk show host combined with her background as an award-winning educator distinguishes her as a leader in her field. Kerry’s high energy and contagious enthusiasm are trademarks that make her a favorite with her clients who range from Olympic champions and CEOs to leading government agencies and  universities.

He’s “The Voice to Remember with a Message You Won’t Forget.” Dave Block was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He has spent over 20 years in the radio broadcast industry. During that time, he has been an operations manager, program director, on-air personality, and has won numerous Addy awards for his commercial production. He has received numerous accolades for leadership at the stations he has worked; guest-hosted the nationally-syndicated American Country Countdown for Bob Kingsley; and was interviewed to be a part of CMT’s show Controversy which dealt with Martina McBride’s song, Independence Day. He currently freelances doing radio and television commercials in the Tulsa area, and is actively pursuing a speaking career of his own. He and his wife, Karen, run Block Business Solutions which offers communications and marketing solutions to businesses of all sizes.

Twelve-year-old Meagan is from Fayetteville Arkansas. She attends Holt Middle School. Meagan is in her third year in the University of Arkansas Children’s Choir. She has performed in many events around Northwest Arkansas, in Tulsa Oklahoma, and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Her most recent performances include Ole’ Applegate Crafts Festival, the Cancer Road Challenge, Grapevine Mall, and multiple talent shows and contests throughout the region.

Session 1

Back to Normal: Handling and Managing Change

Program Description: You’ve heard the comment, “When things get back to normal, I’m going to do ... SOMETHING!” Have you noticed that you never seem to get around to doing that “something?” In this upbeat, often humorous presentation, Tom identifies the meaning of change. He explains what causes change, how to identify and communicate change and, most importantly, how to cope with change.

Career Success — God's Way

Program Description: Successful people want to close the gap between their performance and their potential. Ron teaches the habits that do that. His program will delight, inform, surprise, and challenge you. With a new focus on self-control and trust in God, you can do what you have known or dreamed all along you could do. You will learn how to become highly effective — your best possible self.

About the speaker: Ron Meyers is an international lecturer who served 9 years in the US, 5 in Canada, 13 in Korea, and 5 in China before becoming a Professor at Oral Roberts University and lecturing in 19 more nations. He has a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies. Ron is author of Habits of Highly Effective Christians.

Session 2

Speak Like a Champ

Program Description: Have you ever experienced a presentation that put you to sleep? Ever given one? Have you ever seen a presenter bring a boring subject to life? What’s that difference? Darren has studied 10 years worth of World Champion speakers. He discovered what separates the person who wins from the person who comes in second. Darren shares the three points all the winners had in common.

Characteristics of Wildly Successful Leaders

Program Description: Pack your courage as you accompany Kristine on a safari — a wild journey — into the deepest reaches of our career jungles in search of the secrets that are rare and unique among wildly successful leaders. Exceptionally informative, this program engages audiences by compelling them to strive beyond common expectations toward success.

Session 3

Jelly Side Up! Finding Time for What’s Important

Program Description: In this entertaining workshop, Mary shares six principles that give you dozens of ways to feel more satisfaction with the way you spend your professional and personal time. Successful people do things differently. Learn to put your energy into the things that give you results.

Motivating and Managing an Unmotivated Staff

Program Description: Be prepared to laugh while you learn. This program is so powerful, simple, effective, and logical, everyone who hears it will know, understand, and be able to use the three steps to manage their employees and keep them motivated. No theory. No hype. No improvising. Presented in a way that is easy to remember and fun to implement.

Session 4

If It's to Be, It's Up to Me

Program Description: In life, we must take responsibility for our choices. When we do, we will find that it is possible for us to create a larger vision for our life. In this program, you will learn to generate genuine excitement and hope for your life, understand how to develop and maintain the right mental attitude, realize why your most important opinion is the one you have of yourself, and learn a formula for achieving a balanced life.

The FACTS About Living Better at Work

Program Description: This program will help you create a better workplace by rethinking how you choose to communicate and interact with your coworkers and customers. Learn to build rapport, create goodwill, increase teamwork, raise the level of your organization’s customer service AND increase your organization’s bottom line!