The High Center recognizes that family business comprises the backbone of our economy. And, this year, it celebrates 20 years of connecting family business owners and assisting in strengthening family entrepreneurship. The High Center is one of the largest and oldest centers in the country.
At the Center’s annual Family Business Forum, Thursday, March 26, regional family business owners will come together at Lancaster Marriott not only to share experiences and stories of their individual endeavors, but they also will acknowledge two decades of regional support and will honor tenured members—business owners who have been with the center since the beginning.
Attendance is expected at about 375.
Speaking at the 20th-Anniversary Forum are family business owners Phil Clemens, Anne Beiler and Mark Sanborn.
Clemens, a favored Center speaker in 2000 and 2008, is CEO of Clemens Food Group.
With the family business his entire career, Clemens has worked in all areas. Today, as CEO, he is responsible for 2,200 employees and annual sales in excess of $600 million. Through Hatfield Quality Meats, Country View Family Farms, PV Transportation, Nick’s Sausage, CFC Logistics and Smiling Porker Farm, the corporation markets products all over the United States with a concentration in the northeast.
Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne’s and a favorite Center speaker from 2005, began twisting pretzels in 1987 at a single farmers market stand. Today, Auntie Anne’s Inc. is the world’s largest hand-rolled soft pretzel franchise. Beiler’s entrepreneurial insights and personal story have been featured on national television shows and in magazines, and the entrepreneur has received honorary doctorates from Eastern and Elizabethtown colleges. Beiler travels the world as an inspirational speaker.
Rounding out the forum speaker list is Sanborn, a bestselling author and award winning speaker. He is an internationally recognized authority on leadership, change and customer service and has written eight books, including the international bestseller, The Fred Factor. The Fred Factor, an insightful guide to creating value and meaning in work, life and the lives people impact, has sold over 2 million copies internationally and was a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Business Week bestseller.
The High Center annual Family Business Forum, also includes seminars, dinner and a hall of fame induction ceremony.