Laura Schwartz with President Clinton, courtesy Laura Schwartz
Laura Schwartz, former White House director of events for the Clinton Administration, counts many accomplishments in her impressive career. She created and executed more than 1,000 White House events during the Clinton years, including 12 state arrival ceremonies and dinners, America’s millennium celebration and NATO’s 50th Anniversary.
At BankTravel 2012 in Memphis, this globetrotting author and event wizard will share her fascinating story with delegates as the keynote speaker.
In her first book, “Eat, Drink & Succeed! Climb Your Way to the Top Using the Networking Power of Social Events,” Schwartz shares the secrets that skyrocketed her onto the world stage. She said the underlying principle of her book, published in March 2010, is putting the other person first in any social setting.
“It’s all about the power of positive networking whether you are in an office, a happy hour or a social event,” said Schwartz. “Instead of approaching someone with the attitude of ‘What can you do for me? It’s the other way around. What can I do for you?’ That’s true in every aspect of your life, whether it’s business, personal, social, whatever.
“I tell people that their job may be 9 to 5, but their career is 24/7. Any social event is business, if you take the right approach.”
One delegate who has already heard Schwartz speak came away hooked. Joe Cappuzzello, BankTravel Conference president and CEO, immediately decided he had to have her come to BankTravel in Memphis.
“I heard Laura speak at HSMAI’s MEET National event this September,” said Cappuzzello. “I thought if I have ever heard someone address the positive aspects of what our bank directors do every day, it’s Laura.
“Her energy and enthusiasm is contagious, and our bankers will recognize the truth in her message because they are so people-oriented themselves. This is a meeting of like minds that will kick off our Memphis conference in great style.”
While producing the president’s events on the world stage, Schwartz demonstrated how the office of the presidency can inspire a nation and the world through powerful public events. And she got her start there as a 19-year-old volunteer.
“I tell people that age is secondary,” said Schwartz. “It never occurred to me that I was too young to be the best volunteer in that room. So I moved up very quickly, but I never lost my work ethic. You still pick up the phone first when it rings. You must be consistent in your work ethic no matter how far you advance in an organization.”
As a result of that philosophy, Schwartz was an eight-year veteran of the Clinton Administration and immediately afterward traveled the world with Clinton as a representative for his foundation and global initiatives.
