Our Largest Annual Dinner Yet Welcomes more than 1,100 People for an Evening of Insight and Laughter!
Sometimes there is such a thing as a good problem to have, as we discovered Tuesday evening. More than 1,100 of our closest friends and supporters packed the Grand Ballroom at the Seattle Sheraton for our largest ever Annual Dinner. Though more wanted to attend, there simply wasn't any more room! Thank you to all who attended for making this our most successful event yet!
Author, columnist, actor, and pop icon Ben Stein keynoted the dinner and kept the crowd rapt with his unique brand of humor and his perspective on how sweeping proposals for government-run health care and cap-and-trade threaten our liberty. Stein also lamented the state of America's education system and how ignorance has contributed to the erosion of liberty.
Wall Street Journal writer and editorial board member and Fox News commentator Steve Moore also shared his thoughts on current affairs and the broader American political climate in general. He offered some basic solutions for reforming health care and changing the trajectory of the U.S. economy. Read his recent interview with Whole Foods CEO John Mackey about his view on health care reform here.
At the dinner we honored longtime supporter and board member Bill Conner with the 2009 Stanley O. McNaughton Champion of Freedom Award. KOMO News Radio's John Carlson presented the award to Bill, who spoke of how his formative years taught him self-reliance and personal responsibility. In a video recorded for the occasion, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, State Auditor Brian Sonntag, and Attorney General Rob McKenna paid tribute to Bill and congratulated him on the award.
Watch the video of Bill Conner accepting the award.
Watch coverage of the night on TVW.
(Mr. Stein does not allow his presentations to be recorded.)
WPC also debuted a short video about the organization and its work.
Special thanks to King County Sheriff Sue Rahr who graciously served as the evening's Master of Ceremonies.
Read a transcript of the event here
Here is how we promoted the event:
Featuring Actor, Economist, Raconteur and Author
Ben Stein
Ben Stein is an exceptionally gifted economist whose market analysis is sought by companies and organizations across the country. Stein is author of How to Ruin Your Financial Life and Yes, You Can Time the Market! His most recent books include Yes, You Can Supercharge Your Portfolio! (Jan. 2008), Yes, You Can get a Financial Life (Jan 2008), and How to Ruin the United States of America (June 2008). A comedian of world-class wit - and financial acumen - Ben Stein is the nation's self-styled "hope for the new millennium." His deadpan delivery carries an unexpected wisdom that has made him a national celebrity. Stein offers laughter, insight and tears as he explores society's most quirky conundrums. Stein's career achievements range from speechwriter for President Nixon to pop icon and talented actor. He is, above all, an expert on bringing meaning to both life and work.
Read Ben Stein's recent New York Times economic editorial
With senior economics writer for The Wall Street Journal
Steve Moore
Steve Moore joined The Wall Street Journal as a member of the editorial board and senior economics writer in 2005. He focuses on economic issues, including budget, tax and monetary policy. Moore is a frequent guest on many networks including Fox News and CNN, and recently co-authored the book The End of Prosperity: How Higher Taxes Will Doom Our Economy – If We Let It Happen with economist Arthur Laffer. He has written four other books, including It’s Getting Better All the Time: The 100 Greatest Trends of the Last Century. Moore has served as a senior economist on the Congressional Joint Economic Committee, as a budget expert for The Heritage Foundation and as a senior economics fellow at the Cato Institute. He is also a founder and former president of The Club for Growth. Moore graduated from the University of Illinois and holds a masters degree in economics from George Mason University.
The dinner will also honor the 2009 Stanley O. McNaughton Champion of Freedom Award Recipient
Bill Conner
Bill Conner, founder of Conner Development Company, has been a member of the residential construction community, building for sale and rental housing throughout the Puget Sound region, since 1959. His company's high-quality construction standards and business integrity have made homeownership possible for thousands of families throughout the Puget Sound Region. Throughout his career Bill has been a leader in the homebuilding industry and in the broader business community. Bill served as Chair of United for Washington, President of both the Seattle Master Builders Association and the Washington State Homebuilders Association, and Area Vice President of the National Homebuilders Association. His longstanding commitment to individual freedom, limited government and free market principles has helped make increased economic opportunities and a better life possible for all citizens in Washington.
2009 Annual Dinner Host Committee
• Premium Dinner seating for 10
• Executive Lunch with 4 guests (limited to 25 people)
• Private Meeting with Ben Stein for 10 guests (limited to 50 people)
• Opportunity to introduce one of the honorees
• VIP Reception for 10 guests
• 10 Photos with Ben Stein
• Premier recognition: program / podium / event video
• Opportunity to host elected officials at your table
• Preferential seating for 10
• Private Meeting with Ben Stein for 2 guests (limited to 50 people)
• VIP Reception for 10 guests
• 10 Photos with Ben Stein
• Distinguished recognition: program / podium / event video
• Opportunity to host elected officials at your table
• Table of 10
• VIP Reception for 5 guests
• 5 Photos with Ben Stein
• Recognition in program and event video
• Opportunity to host elected officials at your table
• Table of 10
• VIP Reception for 2 People
• 2 Photos with Ben Stein
• Recognition in program
• Dinner and VIP Reception for two people
• Preferential seating
• Photo with Ben Stein
• Dinner and General Reception for one
