The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce is coordinating a Leadership NOW one-day conference with presenting sponsors Baptist Health Paducah and Paducah Bank on Thursday, November 19. The event begins with registration at 8:30 and the opening session begins at 9 a.m. Leadership NOW is being held at the Julian Carroll Convention Center. This event is designed to enhance our community’s leadership, current and future, by bringing together young professionals, entrepreneurs, emerging leaders, business professionals, and community leaders from all backgrounds and businesses. 

The keynote speaker is Meagan Johnson from Phoenix, Arizona who is known as a generational expert and humorist. Her topic is “ZAP THE GAP! Creating powerful and profitable multigenerational relationships.” She is co-author of the bestselling book Generations Inc., From Boomers To Linksters - - Managing the Friction Between Generations at Work. She is referred to as the “de-facto expert” when it comes to navigating the maze of generational quandaries that every organization faces. She has entertained and educated thousands of audience members from all around the globe. Among her many satisfied clients are SHRM, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Cadillac, American Express, Harley-Davidson, Monster.com, and the CIA. She is a graduate of Arizona State University with a BS in marketing and is a CSP (Certified Speaking Professional).  

Additional keynote speakers for the opening session are Ashely and Sam Wright and Samuel Hawkins.  

Ashley Wright is Vice President of Institutional Advancement at West Kentucky Community and Technical College and the Executive Director of the Paducah Junior College Foundation. She graduated from Berea College and obtained her Master of Social Work degree with an emphasis in non-profit management from Washington University in St. Louis. Sam Wright is a founding partner at the law firm of Farmer & Wright, PLLC. Previously he practiced at Sandberg Phoenix in downtown St. Louis. A large part of his legal practice in Paducah involves counseling small businesses and assisting both businesses and individuals with financial issues. He graduated from Murray State University and obtained his law degree from Southern Illinois University. Both natives of Paducah, the Wright’s reside in Paducah with their two sons, Henry and Harrison.  

Samuel Hawkins of River City Poetry, will bring his unique style of delivery through poetry for a special presentation about leadership. A graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School and Bethel University with a bachelor’s in Sociology and Art, Hawkins is launching the release of his first album, “Cut the Lasso,” and his second book, the Greatest story ever sold.

The conference breakout sessions feature a variety of speakers on topics ranging from leadership, volunteerism, entrepreneurism, achievement, as well as a focus on local topics of interest and self-improvement with five minute “Lightning” talks.   

Breakout sessions include “I Always Wanted to be an Entrepreneur” with moderator Tammy Zimmerman, President of Payment Plus and panelists John and Ben Higdon of Higdon Outdoors, Ed and Meagan Musselman of Musselman Properties and Dry Ground Brewery and Andy Carloss, Midtown Market; “Giving Back – Why It’s a Powerful Tool” with moderator Steve Powless, CEO of Computer Services, Inc. and panelists Monique Zuber of the Paducah –McCracken County United Way, and Aaron Dail of the Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce; “Don’t Poo Poo Paducah – Why We Choose to Live Here” with moderator Darlene Mazzone, President of Mazzone Communications and panelists Fowler Black, Paducah-McCracken County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jim Dudley, KeeFORCE, and Shannon Livingston, The Lakes of Paducah. Two sessions will feature five minute talks with one session on “Quick Tips to Improve Yourself” and the other session focused on “What’s going on in the area.” Additionally Dr. Deborah Watts of the Oliver Group will lead a session titled “Unleash Your Leadership Potential Using Emotional Intelligence.” 

Tickets are on sale through Tuesday, November 17, for $75 which includes the full day conference and lunch. To purchase tickets go to www.paducahchamber.org or call 270-443-1746.