USA Today publisher will bring a message of innovation

LAFAYETTE — The President and Publisher of USA Today, David Hunke, will be the keynote speaker for the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce’s 2010 Banquet. The banquet, an annual event, will review the Chamber’s accomplishments in 2009 and outline its goals for 2010, including continued progress on its long-term “Creating a Community of Innovators” campaign. “Mr. Hunke will bring the message of innovation and creativity that will underscore the Chamber’s direction for 2010 and beyond,” says Chamber President & CEO, Rob Guidry. “We are delighted to have someone of his caliber to keynote our annual banquet.” Hunke was named president and publisher of USA Today in April. He oversees one of the nation’s top-selling newspapers, along with USAToday.com, USA Today Sports Weekly and several other Gannett Co. operations. Hunke said innovation is a common theme in the newspaper’s “Pulse of America” series. “I do a lot of speeches around the country, and a lot of what we talk about is exactly what your Chamber and your part of the state are preaching,” Hunke says. “The places that are going to succeed are those that have their own plans tailored to their individual areas.” The Annual Banquet is the Chamber’s largest event and will be held on Monday, Jan. 18, at the Cajundome Convention Center from 6-9 p.m. Members may purchase tickets at $70 per person; non-members may purchase tickets at $100 per person and tables of eight are also available at $675 a table. Sponsorships are also now available for the banquet. For more information please contact Events Director Erin Kelley at 337.408.3657.