EDMOND — OSU to host 23rd annual Executive Management Briefings speaker series

STILLWATER — The Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University has announced an exciting roster of speakers for the 23rd installment of the Executive Management Briefings speaker series. The 2010-11 lineup includes Ben Sasse, former U.S. assistant secretary of health and human services; Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric; and Ken Auletta, author of “Googled” and media columnist for The New Yorker.

“The Executive Management Briefings is something the Spears School takes pride in each year,” said Larry Crosby, dean of the Spears School. “This series is a way for OSU to bring well-known business and government leaders to Oklahoma City.”

Since 1989, more than 60 world and business leaders business have participated as speakers in the Executive Management Briefings.

The 2010-11 series will debut Sept. 21 at the Cox Business Convention Center in Oklahoma City with a luncheon and presentation from noon to 1:30 p.m. by Sasse, former U.S. assistant secretary of health and human services.

Welch will serve as the second speaker in the series with a presentation Feb. 22 at the Oklahoma City Civic Center from 4-5:30 p.m. During Welch’s more than 20-year tenure as CEO of General Electric, the company’s market capitalization rose from $13 billion to $400 billion. In 2000, he was named “Manager of the Century” by Fortune magazine.

The series will wrap up on April 21 with a luncheon presentation by Auletta from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

Individual registration is $275 for the series or $100 for the Sasse luncheon; $75 per seat (or $60 for 30 or more seats) for the Welch presentation; and $100 for the Auletta luncheon.

For more information about the Executive Management Briefings or to learn about how you can participate as a sponsor, e-mail Gaye Trivitt at gaye.trivitt@okstate.edu or visit cepd.okstate.edu.

COOP Ale Works to be featured presenter at marketing meeting

Local Oklahoma brewery COOP Ale Works will be the featured presenter at the Oklahoma City American Marketing Association’s meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Will Rogers Theatre, 4322 N. Western Ave.

From humble home brewing beginnings, COOP has worked hard to become one of the most in-demand brewers in the region. Co-founder JD Merryweather will join AMA OKC to share COOP’s journey and discuss the branding and marketing efforts that have led them to success.

All are welcome to attend this event. Cost is $25 for AMA OKC members/$35 for non-members, and includes lunch.  

Later that day, AMA OKC will host the first ever Marketing Mash-up. This event will be a casual networking event for all Oklahoma marketing professionals. Attendees at the lunch meeting will receive a free 12-ounce. beer stein containing a coupon for a free pint of COOP Ale at this event.  

The Marketing Mash-up will be at VZD’s Restaurant & Club, 4200 N. Western Ave., from 4:30-6:30 p.m. VZD’s has the largest selection of COOP Ale on tap in the region.  

For more information, please visit www.amaokc.org.

Oklahoma City CVB generates $414 million in direct spending for OKC

The Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau wrapped up its 2010 fiscal year successfully, with a total of 378,377 room nights booked for the year, 7 percent more than its original goal.

These sales efforts will lead to more than $414 million in direct spending by future conventions, meetings, group tours, sporting events and equine events. This equates to a return on investment for Oklahoma City of 114:1 — every dollar spent in the CVB’s budget will generate $114 in future direct spending for Oklahoma City.

The hard work and dedication of the CVB team also resulted in receiving Oklahoma’s highest tourism award, the RedBud, as the Oklahoma Tourism Organization of the Year.

“Our team works hard year-round to promote Oklahoma City as an outstanding destination for conventions, meetings, tours and events,” said Mike Carrier, president of the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau. “I am thrilled our hard work has paid off, but I am even more thrilled with the type of economic activity these bookings will bring to Oklahoma City.”