New Horizons

This week we explored new horizons by filming our speakers for the first time. Clay Shirky fulfilled the title of his talk, “Here Comes Everybody” by packing out the Great Room and leaving the chair of GDAC to fend off a huge number of calls from disappointed people who couldn’t get in. Clay told us it was the best audience he’d had recently – it’s nice to know we have the best audiences as well as the best speakers.

We also filmed the eminent Sir Ronald Cohen who shared his thoughts on entrepreneurship. After finishing the talk early to accommodate his busy schedule, he found that his popularity had beaten his diary - and signed books for a very long queue of people in the lobby. Many thanks to him for giving up this extra time as well as sharing some valuable insights.

And speaking of new horizons, Liz Winder, our Head of Lectures and member of the RSA family for eighteen years, is leaving to explore some of her own. (The Chair of GDAC has been so distraught she could barely concentrate on Monday night’s “Damages”). Matthew has paid formal tribute, but the Lectures team would like to add that Lectures life will never be the same again. To say that Liz has been the mastermind of many Lectures triumphs, and the best manager any of us could hope for, simply wouldn’t be enough – and there also aren’t sufficient words to express how much we will miss her.

Liz’s best moments include an event with Ronald Reagan which was followed up by tea with him and Nancy; the BBC “Any Questions?” event with Lord Tebbit and Peter Tatchell together, and more recently events with Al Gore, Kofi Annan, David Cameron and Alistair Darling. Her worst moments include finding out that the office of a top international speaker had neglected to put his speaking engagement in the diary†but all ended well as the person in question ultimately honoured their commitment!

So long Liz – it’s been wonderful working with you and we envy whoever bags you next!

• Paul Caplan - 05 Jun 2008 1:51pm

  On David Wilcox's recommendation: http://theinternationale.org/back-the-bloggin-bosses/

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