Featured Speakers
Mitt Romney, Republican Presidential Frontrunner to Speak on Olympic
Success, Small Business, and New Book
Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor and likely frontrunner for the Republican
presidential nomination in 2012, is the opening keynote speaker at our annual NSAA National
Convention. As president and CEO of the Salt Lake City Olympic Organizing Committee,
Governor Romney successfully organized and steered the 2002 Winter Olympics.
“Not only does he possess a unique perspective of the ski industry given his work in
organizing the Winter Olympics, but we’re confident that Governor Romney’s pro-business,
small-government message will resonate with a number of our member ski area owners and
operators,” says NSAA President Michael Berry.
In addition to his achievements as Massachusetts governor, Romney’s expertise also
includes his impressive business acumen. Romney was the CEO of management consulting
firm Bain & Company, and co-founder of Bain Capital, a private equity investment firm.
Romney left Bain Capital to direct the Salt Lake City Olympic Committee and the 2002
Winter Olympics, which at that time were facing a $379 million budget shortfall. Romney’s
successful stewardship of the Games not only erased the massive deficit, but ultimately
netted a $100 million profit.
Romney’s role as a public servant is equally distinguished. As governor of Massachusetts
from 2003 to 2007, Romney presided over sustained economic growth while balancing the state
budget without raising taxes. In 2006, Governor Romney proposed and signed into law private,
market-based healthcare reform that ensures every state citizen health insurance — without
a government takeover.
As the convention keynote speaker, Romney will expand upon his newly released book,
“No Apology: The Case for American Greatness,” an insightful look at the challenges
facing America in the 21st century. The book offers solutions for America’s road ahead.
Each registered attendee of the 2010 NSAA National Convention & Tradeshow will receive a
complimentary copy of the book.
Bert Jacobs, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Optimist of Life is Good retail company
Bert Jacobs, co-founder and Chief Executive Optimist of the Life is Good Company,
will be a the second-day keynote speaker at the NSAA National Convention. Life is Good is
$100 million privately held retail business based in Boston, Mass.
In 1994, with a combined sum of just $78 in the bank, Bert and his brother John officially
launched Life is Good. Today, Life is Good products are sold by more than 4,500 retailers
nationwide, and in 30 countries worldwide. Bert, John, and The Life is Good Company are
living proof that “optimism can take you anywhere,” hence Bert’s title as Chief Executive Optimist.
Believing that consumers are already overwhelmed by too much noise in the marketplace,
Life is Good has never spent a penny to advertise its products. One hundred percent of the
company’s growth is attributable to consumer word-of-mouth.
Because Life is Good considers children its ultimate source for inspiration, the company
is totally committed to helping kids who face unfair challenges. In 2006, at the Life is Good
Pumpkin Festival on Boston Common, Life is Good broke the Guinness World Record for the most
carved, lit pumpkins in one place at one time. All funds raised from an ongoing nationwide
series of Life is Good Festivals as well as 100 percent of profits from a growing number of
Life is Good products benefit the Life is Good Kids Foundation.
After graduating from Villanova University in 1987 with a degree in communications,
Jacobs enjoyed stints as a ski instructor at Vail, pizza delivery man, and substitute teacher.
When not overseeing the business, he enjoys live music, travel, and a full-tilt game of Ultimate
Frisbee. Claim to fame: he once jumped into the Boston Marathon with zero training and finished
in less than four hours. Jacobs has appeared on CNN’s Tips from the Top, CNBC’s Business Nation,
and The Donny Deutch Show. Life is Good has been featured in the New York Times, on the cover of
Inc Magazine, and on NBC’s The Today Show.
Bert credits his mother with teaching his brother and him to face the bumps in the road with a
smile. The Jacobs brothers see simplicity, humility, and a sense of humor as the three keys to Life is Good’s
continued success.
