W.Va. Leadership Conference expanding

MORGANTOWN -- The West Virginia Roundtable is expecting a record number of attendees at this year's West Virginia Leadership Conference April 17-18 at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown.

In its fifth year, the theme of this annual school for leaders conference is A Leader's Legacy. Presentations will focus on principles that leaders use to move beyond short-term definitions of success to create legacies with lasting significance.

"The West Virginia Leadership Conference is a valuable workshop for business, education and community leaders to network with others and discuss leadership principles important to shaping our future," said Paul E. Arbogast, president of the West Virginia Roundtable. "It is an opportunity for West Virginia's current and future leaders to gather and focus on the management principles they will face."

Jim Kouzes, co-author of the book "A Leader's Legacy," will deliver the keynote address focusing on leadership principles described in his book. The conference will also feature a panel presentation with several distinguished West Virginia leaders, each highlighting their unique leadership experiences and the legacy they hope to leave.

West Virginia University President David C. Hardesty Jr. will reflect on lessons learned during his address, "Our Legacy: Lessons Learned at the Turn of the Century."

The conference was designed to provide insights for West Virginia's emerging leaders and an opportunity for up-and-comers to network with the top business leaders from across the state.

"This is the premiere outlet to teach and inspire the state's next generation of leaders," Arboast said in a press release. "We take pride in enhancing these emerging leaders and motivating them to be their best."

The event was moved to a new location this year to accommodate the ever-increasing number of attendees. The West Virginia Roundtable expects more than 300 attendees, including the 50 members of the 2007 class of Leadership West Virginia, the statewide leadership development and education program.

The two-day conference begins with lunch on Tuesday and concludes with lunch on Wednesday. Single registration is $325 and student registration is $150. The registration includes all sessions, meals and break services and a copy of Kouzes' book "A Leader's Legacy."

For more information about the West Virginia Leadership Conference or to register, visit www.wvleadership.wvu.edu.

The West Virginia Leadership Conference is an annual project of the West Virginia Roundtable, an independent, non-profit and non-partisan organization comprised of the state's leading Chief Executive Officers. The Roundtable is committed to advocating public policies that create economic opportunities and wealth for all West Virginians. The Roundtable's Key Issue Area Committees identify and study relevant policy issues, culminating in the development of policy recommendations and action plans.

West Virginia University is the title sponsor of the West Virginia Leadership Conference. Additional sponsors include Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love LLP; Dixon Hughes PLLC; Jackson Kelly PLLC; Robert C. Byrd Institute; Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC; Steptoe & Johnson PLLC; The State Journal and United Bank.