Hey all...
...just couldn't wait another week for the monthly report to write to you about this fabulous speaker that Tammy and I heard last night in Fort Myers, FL for the National Association of Sporting Goods.

He spoke after dinner and a "Hall of Fame" induction -- and I'm telling you, I haven't heard an audience go crazy over a presenter like that for a long time! The speaker was one of our own -- Art Holst!!

It's hard to know where to begin to tell you about what a masterful presentation he delivered. Not only were there the great football stories that we, his friends, have come to expect -- he also touched upon the "Greatest Generation" theme, as well. There was an audible gasp from the audience when he told them at the end of his speech that he's 85! He made them laugh, think and cry! (Sometimes, all at once!)

(Although...he didn't do my favorite story...the "Kawtanga" one...if you're relatively new to SR, you gotta have Art tell you in Utah this summer!)

I first heard Art speak when I was an FFA member in Indiana back in 1973. I really thought I was going to "make it" in the speaking business when I was booked on the same conference program as Art in 1977. (I got $100...don't know what he got!) And...in all honesty...I guess I had started considering Art one of the better "senior speakers" around.

The reason I am bursting to tell you all this is because I don't care if he's 85 -- or 35 -- last night he gave one of the best speeches I've EVER heard, bar none. His timing was perfect...everything clicked...and the audience literally jumped out of their chairs to give him a standing ovation.

We should ALL be inspired by someone who is literally doing the best work of his life at 85!

One more thing....

This morning, Tammy and I drove over and spent some time with Charley and Betty Willey at their home in Fort Myers. i am SO glad we did!

Charley's body is not in the best of health -- but it seems his mind is as sharp as ever! His spirit is the same at it has always been, even though his strong health and powerful voice have been weakened. Charley mentored me -- and some of you, too -- in a manner that was loving, yet pulled no punches. I remember the time that he drove from Moline to Indianapolis just to talk to me about the copy of my brochure. He wanted to be certain that I wouldn't fall in the trap he was seeing of many speakers overly inflating their biographies -- and to give me a grandfatherly check-up on integrity. I'll never be able to repay him for his love and concern.

If you are booked anywhere near Fort Myers -- please make the time to stop and touch base with one of the true early giants of our profession. You'll come away better for the experience. Charley and Betty are two of the greatest people around.

Charley made me promise that I would let him know if he ever lost his edge on the platform, because he wanted to leave the speaking business on his terms. Even though I thought he was still on top of his game, he went ahead and chose to retire -- I went with him to his last professional speech. (And, he was great!)

But, you know, if you look at the leading talents in show business of Art and Charley's day, you find that Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Gary Cooper and the like were dramatically outlived by those who performed on stage -- George Burns, Milton Berle and Bob Hope. And, you cannot help but notice the contrast between the retired speakers and those who "keep on keepin' on" and doing great work like Art and Tremendous.

All I know is -- I am certain of what I want to be when I'm 85. I know...because I saw the example on stage last night.

See you at NSA!
Scott

Scott McKain is Vice Chairman of Obsidian Enterprises, a holding company with nineteen affiliated businesses recently named as one of the "fastest growing companies" in the country. He is Co-founder and Principal of the Value Added Institute, a think tank that explores the role of compelling experiences in the process of ensuring client loyalty. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for the world-famous National Lampoon (NASDAQ:OTC:NLPN).

Scott's latest book is "What Customers REALLY Want -- How To Bridge The Gap Between What Your Organization Offers What Your Clients Crave." It has reached the #1 spot on Amazon.com's list of customer service bestsellers and is now available in trade paperback. His previous book, "ALL Business is Show Business" attained the #1 spot on Amazon.com's list of business bestsellers and was also released in a paperback version by NelsonBusiness.

A member of the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame and seen multiple times as an analyst on FOX News Channel, Scott was recently selected from over 7000 nominated individuals to be one of just 10 honored by his home state as a "Hoosier Hero" for personal and professional success and commitment to philanthropy.
www.ScottMcKain.com
www.ValueAddedInstitute.com