Renowned Leadership Expert Ken Blanchard to Keynote Salvation Army Annual Dinner

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, April 1, 2008 - The Salvation Army and presenting sponsor, Stanford Financial Group, announced today that Ken Blanchard, PhD, coauthor of The One Minute Manager, international management guru and world-renowned leadership expert, will be the keynote speaker at The Salvation Army's annual dinner. The dinner will be held at 7:00 p.m. on April 21, 2008 at The Holiday Inn - University of Memphis. Norma and Kemmons Wilson Jr. are serving as chairs of the dinner.

"We are honored to have Ken join us," said Kemmons Wilson Jr., principal of Kemmons Wilson Companies. "He is one of the most influential business leaders and writers in the country and is an extremely sought after speaker."

Blanchard will share his thoughts on how effective leadership can positively influence the world around us, a topic very close to his heart. Blanchard has co-authored more than 35 books, including Raving Fans, Gung Ho!, Big Bucks!, and High Five! His book The One Minute Manager has sold more than 15 million copies and remains on best-seller lists. The theme of the 2008 dinner is "One Minute Can Change A Life." Tickets for this fundraising event for The Salvation Army are $125. Tables for 10 can be purchased for $1,250. Each attendee will receive a complimentary copy of Blanchard's newest book The One Minute Entrepreneur, which he co-authored with local management speaker, Don Hutson. Companies or individuals who purchase a table for 10 will receive five complimentary tickets to a special success seminar held by Blanchard and Hutson. The seminar will be held April 22, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Holiday Inn – University of Memphis.

"This is a significant fundraiser for us, and helps ensure our continued mission in the Memphis-area is fulfilled," said Major Mark Woodcock, Area Commander of The Salvation Army. "We have chosen to title the dinner 'One Minute Can Change A Life' to emphasize that a small gesture, a listening ear or a helping hand can really make the difference in the life of someone less fortunate," explained Major Woodcock. In 1979, Blanchard and his wife Dr. Marjorie Blanchard, founded The Ken Blanchard Companies, an international management training and consulting firm of which he is the Chief Spiritual Officer.

Blanchard has received many awards and honors for his contributions in the fields of management leadership and speaking. He has been awarded the National Speakers Association's highest honor, the 'Council of Peers Award of Excellence;' he was inducted into the HRD Hall of Fame by Training Magazine and Lakewood Conferences, and he received the Golden Gavel Award from Toastmasters International. Among his many clients are America Online, American Golf Corporation, Chick-fil-A, IBM, Kmart, Konica, and the Ritz-Carlton.

For more information about the dinner or to make a reservation, contact Ty Cobb at (901) 543-8586.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Memphis began its work in the city on October 18, 1900. Since then, the organization has fought hunger, homelessness, addiction, poverty, abuse, and suffering caused by disaster. At the center of The Salvation Army's work in Memphis is a common belief that all people can make positive changes. The Salvation Army believes in the healing power of compassion, love, dignity and respect, and use these principles to guide our actions and words.

The Salvation Army values the transforming power of God and the salvation that comes from knowing Christ as our personal savior. The Salvation Army believes that enduring change comes from holistic ministry to the mind, body and spirit.

In 2007, The Salvation Army Memphis helped more than 17,855 people, provided more than 65,000 nights of lodging, and served 208,251 meals and snacks. For more information on our work, visit www.salvationarmymemphis.org.

CONTACT:
Abby Turner
Thompson & Berry PR
(901) 328-5233

Elizabeth Duncan
The Salvation Army
(901) 260 -9130