Business conference to be hosted at Yam

Local businesses will get a chance to learn about important leadership development skills from motivational speakers, according to MainStreet officials.

Portales MainStreet, along with Yucca Telecom and the city of Portales, will host the Live2Lead business conference from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 7 at the Yam Theatre with registration at 8 a.m.

The seminar will be hosted by motivational speaker and author John Maxwell, according to MainStreet Executive Director Sandy Vigil. Joining him are speakers Simon Sinek, Liz Wiseman and Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy.

“It starts first with leadership,” said Vigil. “It’s about bettering our leadership skills in the workforce and also within the community.”

Vigil said she hopes business representatives will “take advantage” of the conference, which will be telecast via webcam from Atlanta, Georgia.

Vigil also said this is the second year MainStreet will host the conference, the third year for “Live2Lead” overall.

Registration is $50 per person, Vigil said.

Yucca Telecom Employee Leon Nall initiated bringing the live broadcast to Portales, because he is fond of the topics Maxwell presents on.

“I’m a very strong follower of Josh Maxwell,” said Nall. “He is a well-sought after leadership training speaker. In reading his books and listening to him over the Internet, he has connections with businesses and gives real-to-life examples.”

But it is not only the realistic examples that makes Maxwell an appealing motivational speaker, Nall added.

“What he really presents to me is he promotes servant leadership,” he said. “He speaks of taking care of those around you to succeed. Paying attention to his training has helped my career as far as being positive.”

He added he felt those who attended last year’s seminar “received a blessing from it.”

“I think the seminars give us ideas on how to correct things we might be missing the mark on,” said Nall. “If we get one thing improved then we’ve benefited.”

Nall said he looks forward to seeing the insights from Maxwell’s fellow speakers such as Cathy and Sinek.

“He (Sinek) starts his book with ‘why?’ Nall said, referring to the theme of servant leadership.

Nall also said Cathy’s positive approach to Chick-fil-A will offer some valuable insights.

“I am hoping it will create an economic impact for the people attending it,” Nall said. “We live in a great country. We just have to learn to take what we are given and succeed with it.”