National Restaurant Show, NAB Show Announce Keynote Speakers

January 31, 2012

Two big shows just named power keynotes: President Bill Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation, will address attendees at the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, and the National Association of Broadcasters has chosen Marina Gorbis, executive director of the Institute for the Future, to address NAB Show attendees.

The NRA Show is on tap May 5-8 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, and NAB Show is scheduled April 14-19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“President Clinton has a unique perspective on our nation and the world,” said Jack Crawford, convention chair for NRA Show 2012 and president and CEO of Ground Round Independent Owners Cooperative.

He added, "Clinton’s insights are sure to be both interesting and entertaining, making his keynote address one of the main attractions at NRA Show 2012.”

Clinton was the first Democratic president in six decades to be elected twice – first in 1992 and then in 1996.

After leaving the White House, Clinton established the William J. Clinton Foundation, with the mission to strengthen the capacity of people in the United States and throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence.

As part of its U.S. program, the foundation is working to combat the alarming rise in childhood obesity through the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, as well as helping individuals and families succeed and small businesses grow.

In a two-part general session, "Making Sense of the Great Content Shift," Gorbis will discuss the seismic shifts that are impacting the modern digital world as people demand content anytime, anywhere.

She will outline the top five trends that will shape the future of the broadcast and telecommunications industries on both an organizational and individual level.

Attendees will then be invited to engage with Gorbis directly in a Q & A session live via social media.

"NAB is pleased to have a renowned expert on the shifts in the modern digital landscape join us for a conversation at NAB Show," said Chris Brown, executive vice president of conventions and business operations.

He added, "Marina Gorbis offers a truly unique perspective on how digital media affects global interactions."

The Institute for the Future (IFTF) is an independent, nonprofit research company that examines topics such as work and daily life, technology and society, health and health care and global business trends.

As executive director, Gorbis has worked with hundreds of organizations in the business, education, government and philanthropy sectors on projects to improve innovation capacity, develop strategies, and design new products and services.

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