The annual Wiregrass Gathering of Eagles Business and Leadership Symposium is back. This year’s theme is “Speaking the Language.” The college is teaming up with gold sponsor First State Bank to bring you an outstanding day of learning. The event’s committee members recruited keynote speaker Patti Wood, MA, CSP. Patti has shared her energy, humor and savvy with Fortune 500 and Association audiences for 25 years. She is called “The gold standard of body language experts” by the Washington Post. She is the author of Success Signals-Understanding Body Language, Easy Speaking-Presentation Skills and The Conflict Cure. Wood will be sharing her expertise with the 2015 symposium participates.

The symposium will be held on Thursday, February 26 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm on the Valdosta Campus of Wiregrass. The full-day symposium is designed to help all businesses and industries stand out, whether business services, manufacturing, health care, education, or government. The day will inspire companies to build a culture that satisfies both the customer and employees.

The morning is devoted to keynote speaker Patti Wood, who has been seen on PBS, BBC, CNN, FOX News, E! Entertainment, and VH1. Participants will be given a copy of Wood’s book SNAP: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language & Charisma.

Other guest speakers include Susan Driscoll and Michael Spremulli. Susan worked for Coca-Cola Company for ten year and led the commercialization of the 20 ounce PET Coca-Cola Contour Bottle. Afterward she and her husband founded ignition, a global marketing agency specializing in Sustainable Brand Experiences based on their vision to make a positive impact on people’s lives. While at ignition she worked with American Express, British Petroleum, Chick-fil-A, Delta Air Lines, ESPN and the United Nations Foundation. Susan and her husband sold the company, and she is currently the Dean of Stafford School of Business at ABAC in Tifton. Michael is President and CEO of the Chrysalis Corporation in Valdosta, which he founded in 1998. He is a corporate personality profiler and a dynamic speaker with a keen understanding of workplace communication and behavioral styles.

Some of the afternoon presenters include Stacy Bush, Bush Wealth Management; Keira Moritz of Steel Magnolias Resturant; Anne Shenton, Nexxtop Technology Services; and Rita Suiter of South Georgia Medical Center and the owner of FiveStar Customer Service Strategies. Closing speaker will be Mark Webb, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice at South Georgia Psychiatric and Counseling Center.

This event not only provides valuable services to our businesses and industries, but also serves as a fundraiser for our college foundation, making this tax deductible. These funds are used to help students who are in need of help paying for books and supplies as they finish their degrees. The event is also broadcasted throughout the college so students, faculty and staff can take part in this business and leadership development day.

For more information about Gathering of Eagles or to register, please call (229) 293-6190 or visit our website at www.wiregrass.edu.