Tickets are going fast for the Victoria simulcast of a worldwide leadership conference focusing on how to become a leader worth following.

Joe Humphreys

Crossroads business owners, managers and staff members can learn from world-renowned leaders during the 14th annual Leadercast from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 9 at Parkway Church, 4802 N. John Stockbauer Drive. The one-day leadership development event is broadcast live from Atlanta to hundreds of sites.

“It is one of the single most consolidated sources of leadership,” said Joe Humphreys, director of the University of Houston-Victoria Small Business Development Center. “But it goes beyond that. I think this conference – although very focused on leadership – transcends the topic and really shows you how to lead in life.”

The UHV SBDC and Victoria Chamber of Commerce are hosting the event in Victoria.

“This event provides unprecedented accessibility to world-class speakers and thought leaders without having to travel out of town,” said Farhang Niroomand, dean of the UHV School of Business Administration. “It’s a day of personal growth, leadership development and professional networking.”

The speakers will share their insights on how to become a leader worth following. Some of this year’s speakers are:

• Andy Stanley, leadership author and communicator
• Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel laureate and human rights activist
• Laura Bush, former First Lady of the United States
• Randall Wallace, screenwriter, director, producer and songwriter
• Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP
• Simon Sinek, leadership expert and author of “Start with Why”

For a full list of speakers, visit leadercast.com/S=0/events/atlanta-live/#speakers.

Farhang Niroomand

The event also includes a local panel discussion about leadership led by Randy Vivian, president and CEO of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce. He will lead a discussion about leveraging influence for the sake of others. Other panelists are Diane Kliem, an attorney for Kliem & Associates; Michelle Rohde, financial advisor for Ameriprise; David Arnold, president and CEO of D.E. Web Works; and Stephanie Solansky, chair of the Department of Management and Marketing in the UHV School of Business Administration.

“The audience seems to enjoy a local perspective on what’s being addressed during the Leadercast,” said Jean Smith, UHV SBDC training coordinator. “Hearing from local leaders enhances the experience.”

Few tickets remain for the Leadercast. General admission tickets are $99.99 and can be purchased online at uhvsbdc.net. If any tickets are left, they will be sold for $125 at the door.

Jean Smith

“We are excited about the demand for the Leadercast,” Humphreys said. “Moving from midlevel supervisor to a company leadership position can be difficult. This event is aimed at helping attendees achieve the move to leader.”

Smith said several groups have signed up to attend. Discounted group tickets are $84.99 a ticket for 10 or more group members or $89.99 a ticket for five to nine group members.

“Some businesses are bringing their entire management team because they know the immense value in attending this event,” Smith said.

Registration will be from 7 to 7:45 a.m. the day of Leadercast. The event includes a Leadercast journal, light breakfast, lunch and other goodies for attendees. jaX, UHV’s jaguar mascot, will make an appearance.

Leadercast participants can earn more than five hours of continuing education credits. Human resource, nursing and general credits are available.

Victoria’s Leadercast is being presented by Dow Seadrift Operations. Other sponsors are Kliem & Associates, Chick-fil-A of Whispering Creek, Parkway Church, Comfort Keepers, Victoria Television Group, All Things Crossroads, The UPS Store, Dignity Memorial, Hochheim Prairie Insurance, H-E-B and Rohde Financial Group.

For more information and tickets, call the UHV SBDC at 361-485-4485 or visit www.uhv.edu/small-business/ and click on the Leadercast Victoria link.