The event is being sponsored by Chick-fil-A and Covington's local franchise is holding a fundraiser with the Newton County Recreation Department to benefit the Miracle League Field, which is planned to be built at City Pond Park. The tickets cost $75 and can be purchased from the Chick-fil-A in Newton Plaza or from the recreation commission facility at Turner Lake Road.
"The big thing about the event is that this is a world class event; $75 for an all-day training event is great," local Chick-fil-A owner Chris Giella said. "It's good not only for the business person, but for every person aspiring to be a leader."
Chick-fil-A will be catering the event and will provide a full sandwich, chips, brownie lunch and snacks and drinks throughout the day. All of the food is being donated by Giella.
Recreation Department Director Tommy Hailey said he hoped around 200 people would attend and said anyone with ambitions of being a leader couldn't find a better group of people to listen to. He said the fundraising part of the event will be important in raising the money needed to get the Miracle League Field construction documents completed.
"I'm just excited about it. The community is excited about it," Hailey said. "The timing is not great because of the economy, but if it takes one year or four years, we're going to build this thing. Hopefully this project will open up more therapeutic recreation opportunities for special needs children and adults."
The speaker line-up will include Tony Blair, former British prime minister, Jack Nicklaus, winner of a record 18 major golf championships and voted Sports Illustrated's Individual Male Athlete of the Century, John Maxwell, best selling author, speaker and leadership thought leader, and Linda Kaplan Thaler, author of "The Power of Nice."
