Living in a Changing World - The World Is Flat
BestPrep’s Educational Forum featuring Thomas Friedman

The biggest event in BestPrep history took place on May 9, 2008 at the Marriott City Center in downtown Minneapolis. More than 950 guests filled the Marriott Grand Ballroom to hear from three-time Pulitzer Prize winner, world renowned author and The New York Times journalist, Thomas Friedman. Mr. Friedman’s presentation was greeted with a standing ovation. Don Shelby, news anchor and drive-time radio talk show host for WCCO TV/Radio, served as the program’s emcee and moderated questions presented to Mr. Friedman following his presentation.

The program was sponsored by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thomson Reuters. Other partners included Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA), WCCO Radio, The Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, Padilla Speer Beardsley, Event Architects, and Big Event Productions.

The luncheon also served to honor 25 high school students who were winners of “The Flatteners of the World” essay contest held in conjunction with BestPrep’s Educational Forum.

Mr. Friedman’s message was directly on target with the mission of BestPrep, to best prepare students with business, career and financial literacy skills through experiences that inspire success in work and life. These skills prepare students for the exact future that Friedman describes in his book – a flat, global world, where skills must be transferable, portable and adaptable. According to Jenny Marietta, Business Teacher at St. Paul Humboldt High School, "Attending BestPrep’s Educational Forum featuring Thomas Friedman was one of the highlights of my teaching career. Just watching the students light up at the elegance of it all was quite spectacular!"

For more information on BestPrep’s Educational Forum, please contact:

Elizabeth Johnson
Development and Special Events Coordinator
763-398-0090 ext. 225
ejohnson@bestprep.org

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