LAS VEGAS -- The keynote speakers during the general sessions at next week’s NACS Show in Las Vegas will deliver insights into the changing needs of customers and staff, and provide an insider’s perspective into the political process and what to look for in the final days of the presidential election.
Opening General Session
Acclaimed global thought leader Peter Sheahan will kick off this year’s conference, which takes place Sunday through Wednesday, Oct. 7 to 10.
Sheahan is the founder and CEO of ChangeLabs, a global consultancy that works with some of the world's most effective organizations and individuals to deliver insights into the changing needs of customers and staff. With his groundbreaking bestseller “Generation Y,” Sheahan was among the first to recognize the Generation Y trend in the workplace. He has written six books that identify key shifts in the contemporary business landscape, including his latest, “Making It Happen,” which examines buying behavior and market positioning.
Sheahan also is internationally known for inspiring innovative business thinking in his presentations and was recognized as the National Speaker Association’s 2006 Speaker of the Year. He has been named one of the 25 Hottest New Speakers in America and one of the 25 Most Influential Speakers in the industry.
“Peter’s global insights on customer and employee behavior will allow attendees to also consider global trends and their ramifications as they use the NACS Show to kick start their 2013 business plans,” said NACS Convention Chairman Steve Loehr, vice president of operations support at La Crosse, Wisconsin-based Kwik Trip Inc.
Sheahan will speak during the opening general session at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 8.
Closing General Session
A spirited political debate between Republican Rick Santorum and Democrat Howard Dean will be part of the NACS Show closing general session on Wednesday, Oct. 10.
“NACS Show attendees will get an insider’s perspective into the political process and what to look for in the final days leading up to the election from recent presidential candidates who can share unique insights,” said Loehr. “Rick Santorum and Howard Dean are known for their grassroots advocacy campaigns that help reshape the political process, and I am looking forward to hear their views on how our industry can create similar advocacy platforms.”
A native of Pennsylvania, Rick Santorum was a candidate for the 2012 Republican nomination for president and became known as a voice for conservatives. His grassroots approach to campaigning--including visiting every one of Iowa’s 99 counties and his stunning victory in the Iowa caucuses--catapulted him to frontrunner status, where he ultimately won 11 states and 3 million votes during the Republican primary process. Prior to running for president, Santorum served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991 to 1995 and in the U.S. Senate from 1995 to 2007. He is the author of the 2005 New York Times best-seller “It Takes a Family.”
Howard Dean served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2005 to 2009, creating and implementing the “50 State Strategy” and the development of 21st Century campaign tools that helped the party gain historic wins in the 2006 and 2008 elections. He is also the founder of the grassroots political organization Democracy for America. Dean served as governor of Vermont for 12 years and was an early frontrunner for the 2004 Democratic nomination for president.
“Both Rick Santorum and Howard Dean are passionate about the issues that most affect our industry--from health care to energy--and attendees will leave this session not just with an insider’s view of the issues and the political process, but with a greater understanding of what they can do to make a difference,” said Loehr.
In addition to the general session, the NACS Show will include more than 50 educational sessions. See related story in this issue of CSP Daily News Show Extra.
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