Conference draws high-profile speakers

The organizers of the 2007 Chamber of Commerce Business Conference & Showcase managed to lure two nationally known speakers for the keynote luncheon and afternoon seminars on March 6.

Merrie Spaeth, who owns Spaeth Communications and was a director of media relations under President Ronald Reagan, will speak about business communication before the Women’s Network presents the annual Athena Award. The title of her presentation at the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center is “Radically Redefining Communication and the Power of Words.”

Spaeth is also the speaker for a subsequent seminar on integrated communication. The description of the seminar says Spaeth will discuss what drives memory and why the concept of alignment is crucial for targeting communications to customers.

Spaeth is well known for her work in communication theory, executive training and crisis counseling. The Dallas-based company she founded in 1987 provides communication training and consulting for a wide range of companies and institutions. She also is the founder and president of the Institute for Strategic Communications, a not-for-profit foundation devoted to studying and reporting on business communication issues.

Spaeth was the director of public affairs at the Federal Trade Commission before becoming director of media relations at the White House in 1984. She has worked in every area of print and electronic media. She has been a radio and television talk show host, has written a column on personal finance and investing, and is the author of Marketplace Communication, a book inspired by her “Marketplace” commentaries heard on public radio stations across the country.

At the second afternoon seminar, Sandler Systems Vice President Dave Mattson will talk about how sales people can break through success barriers.

Mattson is a trainer, author and consultant who specializes in management, sales, interpersonal communication, team building and strategic planning. He has been a trainer and business consultant to domestic and international organizations since 1986.

Mattson has written articles for The Wall Street Journal and numerous industry publications. He is the author of “Magical People Skills,” which is a Sandler program designed to help improve the art of communication. He has been directly involved in the creation and development of other Sandler training programs, such as the Strategic Sales Management, President’s Club, QuickStart and Pro Summit.