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Colin Powell, Bill Self, Rudy Giuliani, Bill Cosby, Steve Forbes, Lou Holtz and Terry Bradshaw.
Those big names in politics, sports, entertainment and business are scheduled to appear in person July 26 at the same all-day motivational business seminar at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita.
"Everyone will be there live and in person" and will speak from 20 to 50 minutes each, said Brian Forte, senior vice president for Get Motivated Business Seminar, which is putting on the event.
"And sometimes they'll stay extra," he said.
The seminar deals with motivation and sales, leadership and business strategies.
In this tough economic climate, the timing is good, Forte said. The seminar offers a "message of hope and inspiration" and ideas for how to succeed, he said.
Based partly on attendance at other Get Motivated seminars around the country, the arena could see a capacity crowd — about 15,000 people — on that Tuesday, said arena general manager A.J. Boleski.
There will be a satellite feed at Century II for any overflow crowd.
Forte said he expects a sellout, adding that participants are encouraged to come early. The sessions begin at 8 a.m. and end at 4:45 p.m.
For information or to get tickets, people can go to getmotivated.com.
The seminar, which is being promoted around Wichita on billboards and in full-page ads, is raising some questions — in particular whether the celebrities will really appear in person and how some of the pricing can be so low, said Roberta Namee, with Better Business Bureau of Kansas.
Namee said the BBB called Get Motivated and was reassured that the famous people will be there.
According to advertisements, Powell — the statesman and retired general — will speak about "take-charge leadership." Cosby, the comedian, will talk about how to use humor.
Some people have questioned how Get Motivated is able to charge as low as $1.95 per person or $9.95 "for an entire office," according to its advertisements. Namee said seminar representatives told BBB that there is limited availability on the lower-price admission.
Regarding the $9.95 rate for an "entire office," the seminar reserves the right to limit ticket quantities in some markets, Forte said.
In an e-mail response to a question about the lower prices, a representative of Get Motivated said: "We don't anticipate discontinuing the pre-registration discount. The tickets will remain affordable for all that want to attend."
Forte noted that on the day of the event, admission at the door will be $225.
The business seminar doesn't only depend on admission fees. Some of the revenue comes from sales of workbooks and from workshops, Forte said.
When Get Motivated put on a daylong seminar in May at the Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City, about 18,000 people came. The turnout "slowed rush-hour traffic and jammed parking lots," the Kansas City Star reported.
The weekday Wichita event is unusual for the arena because most of its events occur on nights and weekends, Boleski said.
As the event gets closer, the arena will make announcements to ease the traffic and parking situation, he said.
