The High Point Market Authority is joining forces with High Point University to offer Pre-Market guests free access to a pair of special educational events celebrating the opening of the new, state-of-the-art, Nido R. Qubein School of Communication at HPU next month.
The first event, set for Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 3 p.m., is a symposium and panel discussion at High Point University featuring nationally recognized communication experts.
Symposium speakers include: "Good Morning America" Weekend Edition's weather anchor and features correspondent Marysol Castro and communications coaching specialist Bert Decker, chairman and chief executive of Decker Communications, whose clients range from Charles Schwab to Cisco, MetLife, Pfizer, Hewlett Packard and Yahoo. The symposium also features Denise Franklin, general manager and chief executive officer of 88.5 WFDD, the National Public Radio station broadcasting from Wake Forest University, and host of Voices and Viewpoints, a distinctive interview program featuring Piedmont area residents whose work or actions have put them on the national or international stage; and 26-time Emmy Award winner David Neal, executive producer, NBC Sports and executive vice president, NBC Olympics, who overseas every aspect of NBC's Olympic division and is responsible for all NBC Sports productions.
Later that evening, Cal Ripken Jr. will speak at 7:30 p.m. as part of High Point University's Cultural Enrichment series. The retired Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman, who played his entire career for the Baltimore Orioles. will deliver a keynote address titled "Keys to Perseverance."
During his career, Ripken earned the nickname "The Iron Man" for doggedly remaining in the lineup despite numerous minor injuries. He is perhaps best known for breaking New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games played, a record that many deemed unbreakable.
"Offering our guests access to premier educational opportunities while they are visiting High Point is one more way we're working to make Pre-Market an even stronger and more competitive event, and to further the brand of Market overall," said Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority. "We're very pleased to be partnering in this endeavor with High Point University, which was recently ranked number one in up-and-coming schools by U.S. News & World Report."
"One of our goals in collaborating with the High Point Market is to encourage new forms of formal and informal networks between home furnishings industry professionals, university educators, and our students," said High Point University President, Dr. Nido R. Qubein. "As such, we look forward to welcoming Pre-Market guests this Fall at either or both of these thought-provoking events, which promise to be extraordinary educational experiences featuring world-class speakers."
