Internationally acclaimed motivational speaker and best-selling author Andy Andrews will present one of the most interesting sessions at the 2006 International Business Conference — Traveler's Gift: The Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success. The conference, entitled "Creating Wealth in a Global Economy," will be held on campus from October 30 through November 4.
The conference sponsors — the BYU-Hawaii Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship, the BYU-Hawaii Center for Instructional Technology & Outreach (CITO), and the Polynesian Cultural Center — are providing free limited use tickets to all available PCC staff and BYU-Hawaii faculty, administration, staff and students with current ID. Registered business executives and participants otherwise pay an $1,800 fee ($500 for accompanying spouses) to attend the stellar line-up of over 20 sessions. For more information or to arrange for the free, limited-use tickets, call CITO at 293-3780.
Andrews, described by a New York Times writer as a "modern-day Will Rogers who has quietly become one of the most influential people in America," will make a presentation on November 1 in the McKay Auditorium from 9-11:50 a.m. on his best-selling book. The Traveler's Gift — which has simultaneously been listed on book lists under fiction, nonfiction, business, religion, self-help and literature — incorporates the results of Andrews' study of the biographies of over 200 great men and women, which he has formulated into of seven characteristics, into the story of an overworked business executive: The man "searches for meaning and success in life by traveling back into time and conversing with seven historic individuals" who embody the "decisions."
Other outstanding speakers and sessions during the conference include:
- David Lax, CEO of the Lax Sebenius Group and author of 3D Negotiations, who will present a two-day executive education course on advanced strategic negotiating.
- Mark Willes, former Chairman, President & CEO of Times Mirror, who recently served as president of the Hawaii Honolulu Mission and is a member of the Polynesian Cultural Center board of directors.
- Ross Jardine, CEO of True North and founder of INVESTools and imall, who trains individuals to become home-based stock investors.
- Gary Hawkins, founder and CEO of the Hawkins Group, who will present "A Practical Approach to Profits in Commercial Real Estate."
- Author and Deseret Book CEO Sheri Dew, author and business leader Chieko Okazaki, Scrapbook.com owner Jill Davis and Premier Performance Consulting owner GayeLyn Bates, who will present "Women in Business" sessions.
- Fraser Bullock of Sorenson Capital and former President & CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympics, who will discuss corporate deal structures for acquisitions and joint ventures.
- Author and forensic accountant Alan Funk, who recently published Choosing Ethical Excellence.
- BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe, who will review and preview various sports.
In an e-mail message last week, President Shumway stressed the unique opportunity made available through the free tickets and encouraged all faculty, staff and students to attend as many sessions of the conference as possible.