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Video: Packing a punch at the big convention
Glamour, global politics, entrepreneurial prowess and publicity stunts combined to thrilling effect at what organisers called the first credit crunch Yorkshire International Business Convention.
Highlights included Elle Macpherson, John Howard, George Foreman and a camel called Hillary Clinton – this year's gathering at the Yorkshire Event Centre near Harrogate had something for everyone.
Keynote speaker John Howard, the former Prime Minister of Australia, said the crisis in Zimbabwe had arisen because of "a failure of leadership in states of Southern Africa".
He said the Zimbabwean crisis was a reminder of how the actions of individual countries were paramount. Mr Howard said if pressure had been placed on President Robert Mugabe by neighbouring states he would have stepped down several years ago.
He told the conference: "It's a reminder of how important the actions of nation states are in bringing about solutions to seemingly intractable problems."
He added: "More than anything else, we still live in a world of nation states."
Mr Howard rejected claims that his government had been too hard on illegal immigration. He said that once an immigrant enters Australian society they had to become part of the mainstream. "It's got to be immigration on our terms."
He added: "Australia takes immigrants from all around the world. We take them not on the basis of colour, nationality or race or religion. We take them on the basis of their calculated contribution to our society."
Mr Howard warned of the dangers of the public in Britain feeling a sense of weariness whenever there was a reference to the fight against terrorism.
He said: "That's what perpetrators of terrorism want democracies to feel."
He said terrorists were playing a long game and we must do all we can to promote democracy in the Islamic world to show that the democratic way was completely consistent with fundamental laws of Islam.
George Foreman described his journey from a poor childhood in Texas to become heavyweight champion of the world and a successful businessman who has sold more than 100million grilling machines.
He made a name for himself as a street fighter and a mugger until one day he became so ashamed of his actions that he decided to change his life.
After winning the gold medal at the Mexico Olympics in 1968 he faced Joe Frazier to fight for the world heavyweight title.
He recalled: "I'm looking at Joe Frazier and saying 'please don't look down'. If he does he'll see my knees shaking."
But he defeated Frazier to become world champion only to lose the title to Muhammad Ali.
He added: "I was devastated. After losing my title I lost everything dear to me. I thought my life was over. In 10 years I didn't raise a fist."
The father of 11 became a Christian minister but went back to boxing because he was broke.
"I had to box because I had to feed a family."
Before she took to the stage, Elle Macpherson, the supermodel who is creative director at a multi-million pound lingerie company, told reporters how she was nervous ahead of public speaking engagements.
Dressed in black and wearing super-high stilettos and a man's Rolex, the 45-year-old Australian told the audience of her childhood, modelling career and subsequent business career, which was based on the adage that you should always go out with a clean pair of knickers.
She launched her range first in Australia, before testing the more difficult market in Britain, her adopted home.
"Market research showed that British women didn't really care much about underwear. They have just one pair of designer knickers called 'Saturday night pants' just in case they get lucky.
"I didn't care much for the market research – I just followed my gut. I knew I would not be alone in wanting comfortable and beautiful underwear."
Richard Reed, the co-founder of natural drinks company Innocent, told delegates of how he and two friends created a concern with a multi-million pound turnover from an initial investment of just 500.
The businessman, who grew up near Huddersfield, told the audience of his guiding principles, which include having a clear purpose, a clear understanding "of what your main thing is" and attention to detail.
Fellow speaker Ken Hames, the ex-SAS soldier who has developed a successful television career taking people with disabilities on adventures in South America, stressed the importance of emotionally intelligent organisation and what he termed "followship" was just as important to leadership.
He described being a Royal Marine in the thick of the action during the Falklands War and he discovered that it wasn't brawn that got him through, but intelligent use of his emotions.
"The people with disabilities give incredible inspiration and they prove it is the emotional intelligence and moral end of the spectrum which is going to drive people forward," he said.
For the second year running, the YIBC's nominated charity was The Victoria Climbie Charitable Trust, founded in memory of the girl who died while under the care of Britain's social services.
Rory Bremner, a regular guest since he spoke at the first convention in 1995, began the day with his impressions of political figures and questioned the role of a satirist when Boris Johnson is Mayor of London, John Prescott had bulimia and Lembit Opik MP is engaged to a Cheeky Girl.
The camel, a two-humped male called Hillary Clinton, was drafted in by Jet2, to promote the launch of its new service from Leeds Bradford Airport to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.
Organiser Mike Firth said there were around 1,300 delegates at yesterday's 13th YIBC.
After the day came to a close, Mr Firth told the Yorkshire Post: "The numbers are just a little bit down this year. I think some people have tightened their belts. I hope we get over that next year.
"I think what we are doing is very, very valid and I think people appreciate it. I think we bring great figures to Yorkshire. We put Yorkshire on the map, so yes the convention goes on – we will be back next year."
Yorkshire International Business Convention video press release produced for the Yorkshire Post by Media Giants PR Ltd, 01423 568847. "Your news on video"
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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