It’s Work, But It’s Really Cool Work at Times

November 1 marks the 23rd year of the Indiana Chamber’s Annual Awards Dinner and my 15th year of involvement. BizVoice magazine profiles of the winners, planning and compiling videos for the event; scripting some of the proceedings and working with the media interested in talking with the guest speakers are among some of my responsibilities.

It’s a great deal of work, but it’s also very enjoyable. Getting to know the award winners and helping tell their stories is about as good as it gets in the world of journalism. And interacting with the keynote presenters is something special.

Here are some of the names from the past 14 years: Steve Forbes, Alvin Toffler, the late Tim Russert, Bob Costas, Mary Matlin and James Carville, Martin Luther King III, Newt Gingrich, Tom Brokaw and Terry Bradshaw. On the entertainment side, the satirical group The Capitol Steps has appeared twice and there was another Washington favorite in Mark Russell.

There are a few stories regarding those speakers that I can’t share. But it is fair to say most (nearly all) have been interesting and accommodating in brief one-on-one discussions and in their interactions with the media.

Speaking of media, we’re hearing from more than a few journalists who are especially excited about this year’s speakers — the Watergate duo of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Although a youngster at the time of Richard Nixon’s escapades and their investigative reporting, I have to admit I’m looking forward to meeting them and hearing their stories about the lessons learned in the ensuing 40 years.

Yeah, it’s work, but I’m not complaining.

Watergate Reporters Coming to Indianapolis

Hoosiers have the opportunity to hear in person about Watergate from the legendary journalists who first broke the story – on how it unfolded and the lasting lessons for the Oval Office.

On November 1, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward will take the stage at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 23rd Annual Awards Dinner, discussing the Nixon presidency, politics and journalism with “Inside the White House: From Nixon to Obama.”

“With the passage of time, Watergate needs to be understood both by the generation that experienced it and future generations,” states Bernstein.

Speaking in general about Watergate’s legacy on the White House, Woodward offers, “I think each administration (since) has learned how to manage the information in the way they want.”

See the full Q&A article with the duo in the most recent edition of BizVoice.

The event, presented in partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, takes place at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling (800) 824-6885.