Looking out over a crowd of 9,000 people, George Martin, organizer of the 17th annual Bakersfield Business Conference held at California State University, Bakersfield, on Saturday said, “We need to be brave if we’re going to be free.”
This statement was needed as a response to the concerns of security at the conference.
In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, security was heightened at this year’s conference.
Many people wanted the event canceled.
“You have no reason to be concerned about security here,” Martin assured the crowd. “I bet you that there isn’t another event in the country that you could go to that is more secure than the event that you are sitting in today.”
After rallying the crowd, Martin boasted about this year’s conference featuring world leaders, award-winning journalists, entertainers, movie stars and numerous other motivational personalities.
“We have a wonderful program for you. You will take memories that you will cherish the rest of your life. You will laugh, you will probably cry, you will reflect, you will learn, and hopefully you will always remember.”