CNN's Cooper headlines roster of MUFSO '06 speakers, experts

Nation's Restaurant News, June 5, 2006

Dallas -- CNN's Emmy-winning news anchor Anderson Cooper, leadership guru and author Stephen R. Covey, and prominent foodservice executive Lee Cockerell have signed on to make keynote presentations at the 2006 Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here Oct. 15-18.

The three influential figures will help lead an education-oriented MUFSO program geared to emphasize financial strategies in today's restaurant environment.

"Unleashing the Power of Change" will be the theme of this year's MUFSO summit conference of chain executives and entrepreneurs, being held at Dallas' Hilton Anatole Hotel and produced by Nation's Restaurant News.

"From keynote speakers to breakout sessions and panels of leading experts, this year's MUFSO will deliver a dynamic mix of inspiration and education, particularly in the financial arena," said Alan Gould, publisher of Nation's Restaurant News.

CNN's Cooper, an accomplished international affairs correspondent and veteran of ABC News, now anchors CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360[degrees]" news program.

Covey, a leading organizational consultant and author of such popular books as "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," will speak on his latest work, "The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness," in a session sponsored by The Elliot Leadership Institute.

Cockerell, whose work as executive vice president of operations for Walt Disney World Resort encompasses his responsibility for the nation's largest single-site hospitality venue, will discuss "Inspiration: The Real Work of Leaders," in an address sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company.

Cooper, a graduate of Yale University, joined CNN in 2001 as weekend anchor. He moved to prime time in 2003 following the outbreak of the war in Iraq and then to his current two-hour evening time slot in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina.

Covey, in addition to being a noted author and motivator, is co-founder and vice chairman of FranklinCovey, a leading global professional services firm with offices in 123 counties. In 1996, Time magazine recognized him as one of the 25 most influential Americans. His latest book was released in 2004.

Cockerell joined the Disney organization in 1990 and now manages a complex that includes 18 resort hotels, four theme parks, three water parks and scores of restaurants and other Disney facilities, which employ more than 54,000 people. Cockerell was honored at MUFSO 2002 as a Nation's Restaurant News Golden Chain Award winner.

On the educational front, MUFSO 2006's breakout sessions, featuring a host of top restaurant operators and industry experts, will continue the conference's tradition of providing cutting-edge forums for the sharing of best-practices techniques and tactics. This year's sessions include:

* Fiscal fitness: funding strategies, from venture capital to IPO

* Quench your thirst for beverage profits

* Harness opportunities by assessing your assets

* Corporate responsibility and profits: doing the right thing can boost the bottom line

* Mergers and acquisitions: when to buy and sell and how to carry out the deal

* Opportunities in nontraditional media marketing

* Healthy franchise partnerships: cracking the code

* Power purchasing: cutting-edge ideas that save time, effort and money

In addition, the conference will examine a range of key industry issues during its annual Presidents' Panel, sponsored by American Express and featuring the winners of MUFSO's 2006 Golden Chain and Pioneer awards.

The Hot Concepts! Panel, sponsored by Equal, will give attendees the chance to question leaders of some of the most progressive operations in the restaurant business.

MUFSO culminates with its annual awards banquet Tuesday, Oct. 17. Sponsored by American Express, the gala event honors the Golden Chain winners and distinguished recipients of the Pioneer Award, the Innovator Award and the Operator of the Year accolade.

Information about MUFSO registration is available through (212) 756-5201 or www.mufso.com.