SACRAMENTO—Perspectives 2009: An American Experience will bring Howie Long—NFL Hall of Famer, actor and Emmy-award winning TV sports analyst—to Sacramento. Long’s life illustrates an “American experience,” succeeding in one field with the freedom to reinvent yourself in another—and then succeed again.

For 13 years, Long delighted Raiders football fans with intrepid plays that ended opponents’ touchdown drives. In the business of sacking quarterbacks, Long racked up numerous awards that recognized him as being one of the game’s best defensive linemen.

Core to his success on the gridiron, though, are qualities common to business people who are playing at the top of their field. He had a knack for raising everyone a notch higher, a total focus as a student of the game and an outstanding work ethic.

From the football field, he moved to screen—starring in mid-90s movies with John Travolta, Christian Slater and Tom Hanks. He began his network sports television career in 1994 as an NFL studio analyst for Fox NFL Sunday and is now regarded as one of the top announcers, recently receiving an Emmy Award for his work as Outstanding Sports Personality/Analyst.

Business people will also recognize in Long the leadership trait for giving back to the community as he lends his time and talent to the United Way, the Mental Health Association, the Tracey Biletnikoff Foundation and other charities. A Villanova University communications major, he is an author, too, of the best-seller Long’s Football for Dummies.

Since 1995, the Metro Chamber has introduced the region’s business people to some of the world’s most influential and world-renowned leaders including President George H.W. Bush, Gen. Colin Powell, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Gov. Ann Richards, President Gerald Ford, Capt. Jim Lovell, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Perspectives was launched in celebration of the Metro Chamber’s 100th anniversary and century-long service to the community. Annually drawing an audience of nearly 2,500 people, the day-long program is informative and creates first-class networking opportunities for business and civic leaders.

The complete speakers lineup for Perspectives 2009: An American Experience comprises Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, NFL Hall of Famer/Fox Sports Analyst, Howie Long, Personal Finance Expert/TV Host Jane Bryant Quinn, Flags of Our Fathers Author James Bradley, Author/Entrepreneur Guy Kawasaki and returning emcee, Fox News Radio Host Tom Sullivan.

Perspectives will be held 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 in the Sacramento Convention Center. Tickets are $195 for Metro Chamber members and $245 for the public. Tables of 10 are $1,950/$2,450. Tickets can be purchased online at the Perspectives website or via the events hotline at 916-444-1919.

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The Sacramento Metro Chamber is the largest, oldest and most prominent voice of business in the greater Sacramento area. Representing nearly 2,200 member businesses and business organizations in the six-county Sacramento region, the Metro Chamber serves as the region’s leading proponent of regional cooperation and primary advocate on issues affecting business, economic development and quality of life.

When citing the organization, please use our preferred name:

Sacramento Metro Chamber on first reference and Metro Chamber on second reference.