HUELL HOWSER Wednesday, February 23, 2011 (Lunch Speaker) Topic: TBD

When Huell Howser moved to in 1981 from his home state of Tennessee to become a reporter for KCBS-TV in Los Angeles, he had no idea he’d fall in love…with . His enthusiasm for his new home inspired the idea for the television series that started it all, California’s Gold. Huell had a simple idea: if he traveled the state with an open heart and an open mind, a microphone and a camera, he would uncover a treasure of California stories.

"We operate on the premise that TV isn’t brain surgery. People’s stories are what it’s all about," says Howser. "If you have a good story, it doesn’t have to be overproduced. I want our stories to reveal the wonders of the human spirit and the richness of life in California, including its history, people, culture and natural wonders."

A native of Tennessee, Huell began his television career at WSM-TV in Nashville after receiving his B.A. degree from the University of Tennessee, serving on the staff of a United States Senator and a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps. Howser later joined WCBS-TV in as host of a magazine-style series. He then came to Los Angeles in 1981 to work as a reporter for KCBS-TV. Huell joined public television station KCET/Los Angeles in 1987 to produce "Videolog," a series of short programs featuring the stories of people from all walks of life. This series captured the imagination of viewers and led directly to an expanded format which covered people and places throughout the state.

And now after over 17 years in production, California’s Gold is one of the longest running and most beloved series about California ever produced. The success and popularity of the show helped to launch six additional series about life in California, Visiting with Huell Howser, Road Trip with Huell Howser, California’s Golden Parks, California’s Green, California’s Water and the newest series, Downtown. Huell Howser’s shows can be viewed six nights a week on KCET, and at various times on California PBS stations statewide and in Oregon, Nevada and Tennessee. Huell's work in television has also taken him on travels worldwide, including Egypt, Israel, Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua, Australia, Europe, and twice to the former Soviet Union.

"Intimate, magnificently unslick, utterly charming, absolutely irresistible..." says "" columnist Howard Rosenberg of Howser's style.

Walter Goodman of "The New York Times" praises, "Howser's infectious upbeat spirit..."

"Daily Variety" says Howser has "a gift for probing the emotional truths of people's lives and gently coaxing them into the television screen."

The "L.A. Weekly" recognized Howser as the "Best Good-News TV Newsperson" in Los Angeles.

Huell Howser is also a frequent speaker to civic and student groups and is active in numerous charitable, civic and social groups throughout the state. He lives in Los Angeles and Twenty-Nine Palms. www.calgold.com

ROGER CRAWFORD Thursday, February 24, 2011 (Lunch Speaker) Topic: How High Can You Bounce?

The rules of tennis are designed to ensure fair competition. This is what makes the Roger Crawford story so amazing. He successfully competed against able-bodied opponents, though he appeared to have a significant disadvantages. This is what your eyes would tell you, but you cannot see courage.

Overcoming obstacles and transforming adversity into victory have defined Roger’s inspiring life story. Sports Illustrated calls Roger one of the most accomplished physically challenged athletes in the world. Despite being physically challenged he became a Hall of Fame Division I athlete at Loyola Marymount University and holds current certification from the United States Tennis Association. His compelling message transcends the sport of tennis. Through the experience of turning trial into triumph, Roger learned the art of competition and the value of a winning attitude. Roger is passionate and uniquely qualified to teach the Possibility Principles of Purpose, Perspective, Precision, and Perseverance, because he has lived it!

Roger Crawford is America’s Possibility Coach who has been living and sharing a message of optimism and courage for over 25 years. He is a leading authority on developing human potential and breaking through self imposed limitations. Roger has had the privilege of coaching over 3,000 audiences to conquer change and reach levels of achievement previously thought impossible. His high impact presentations are a rare blend of real life experience, proven strategies, and fresh ideas to awaken untapped potential within your organization.

The National Speakers Association awarded Roger the distinguished CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame designation, acknowledging his speaking excellence. Because of Roger’s extraordinary achievements, he has been inducted into the National Hall of Fame for people with disabilities joining fellow honorees such as Christopher Reeve and Helen Keller.

Roger’s inspiring story was featured in the original bestselling book, Chicken Soup for the Soul and the NBC Emmy Award winning movie, In a New Light.

In addition to his speaking career he is an internationally acclaimed author. In his most recent book, How High Can You Bounce?, Roger equips others with the tools to embrace change, see obstacles as opportunities, and bounce higher to new levels of achievement. Roger’s autobiography, Playing From The Heart, proves that with courage you can turn disability into possibility and achieve amazing results!

Roger Crawford is a champion on and off the court and a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed! Roger's captivating personality and timeless wisdom make his presentation one you will never forget. How we view possibilities is a powerful force that determines our mindset and motivation. Let Roger inspire your organization so that challenges become possibilities and possibilities become realities! www.rogercrawford.com

CHESS EDWARDS Friday, February 25, 2011 (Closing Speaker) Topic: Reap the Rewards of Challenge

As an Organizational Trainer, Chess Edwards consults and facilitates team and leadership development programs for some of today's top organizations. From the big players such as Microsoft, eBay and Disney to small non profit organizations, Chess has been working with teams in one form or another for over 25 years. He has organized team learning experiences for groups from 5 to 500 in a variety of settings from the board room to the tops of wind swept granite spires. Chess translates the mind set of the adventurer, explorer and survivor into critical areas of thinking for success in today's ever changing corporate environments. His training programs are inspiring, engaging, interactive, fun and highly informative. Just as Chess is willing to explore far beyond conventional boundaries in his outward travels, he is willing and able to dig deep to discover your own team's unique journey of development.

Adventurer - Chess has spent more than 20 years exploring the planet including some of the most remote and wild regions of the Himalayas and lost pre-Inca civilizations in the distant Northern Andes of Peru. With over twenty countries and now 6 continents visited, Chess always endeavors to go far beyond the comfortable boundaries that intimidate the common traveler. With a dedication to seeking out the challenges, adventures and wisdom that these far corners of the globe provide, Chess returns home again and again with fresh life perspectives to share with a wide range of audiences and organizations. As a significant part of Chess' travels, he has led hundreds of groups on personal Journeys of Discovery as he guides other travelers through their own life changing insights, inspirations and significant "Ah-ha" moments of personal truth.

Professional Photographer - Chess' success as a photographer stems from his ability to capture the essence of the larger picture in an alluring representation of the whole. Over the years his captivating work has been displayed in art galleries, published in magazines such as Newsweek and Escape and has captured the hearts and imaginations of a wide range of live audiences. His creative endeavors have now been coalesced into a collection of fine art photography representing exotic locales from around the world which tell a very human story of connection, common ideals, cultural diversity and shared universal truths.

Speaker & Presenter - Chess combines his skills as a photographer, gifted storyteller, educator & adventurer into interactive keynote presentations that entertain, inspire and educate a wide array of groups and organizations. His presentations have been applauded as a closing speaker, keynote or the kick off for major corporate functions. Whether it be a group of school kids or the top tiers of a major International Construction company, Chess delivers his programs with the same level of passion and commitment to excellence. www.chesswork.com