(Flint, Mich. –Aug. 1, 2013) - Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy, the country’s largest independent specialty pharmacy servicing the needs of patients and physicians nationwide, announced today at a press conference at Diplomat’s Flint headquarters that the company will serve as the title sponsor of the Hero Round Table conference on Nov. 9 and 10. New in 2013, the Hero Round Table conference will be held at Swartz Creek High School’s new auditorium and is expected to bring 650 people to Genesee County in 2013 and more in subsequent years as popularity of the conference increases. Diplomat’s title sponsorship is a three year commitment, assuring the conference will remain in the Flint region through 2015.
The Hero Round Table is a new cross-disciplinary conference on the evolving definition of heroism and provides an opportunity for global citizens interested in the topic of modern-day heroism to gather together for networking, learning from the world’s leading experts and speakers on the subject and planning future collaborations to expand heroic thought and action in the workplace, schools, community and beyond.
Business leaders, dignitaries and community supporters from the Flint area were among those in attendance at today’s press conference. Speakers included Matt Langdon, creator of the Hero Construction Company, Tim Herman, CEO of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, Adam Hartley, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Swartz Creek Community Schools, Steve Wolbert, Diplomat’s director of community relations and government affairs, and Diplomat CEO Phil Hagerman, R.Ph.
“Diplomat is pleased to bring the Hero Round Table conference to Genesee County with our title sponsorship,” said Hagerman. “We support the belief that everyday heroes are all around us and our business model of doing everything possible to make a positive difference in the lives of our patients is a perfect example of the impact that can be made by everyday heroes. I commend the Hero Round Table for taking the initiative to bring together thought leaders from around the world to discuss a topic that helps communities, schools and businesses prosper.”
The opposite of a hero is not a villain, it’s a bystander, according to Langdon, an Australia native who developed the Hero Round Table concept from his years entrenched in global heroism initiatives.
"After spending seven years being part of the global effort to study and teach heroism, I wanted to get experts together in the same room to share their ideas with an international audience,” said Langdon. “With Genesee County being my first home away from home, I ultimately knew this was the place to hold the event."
Discussions at the November Hero Round Table conference will be led by experts in the areas of psychology, education, business, philosophy, sports, storytelling, news media and more. Confirmed speakers for the event include Dr. Phillip Zimbardo, professor emeritus at Stanford University, Zoe Weil from the Institute of Humane Education, Jocelyn Stevenson, children’s television producer responsible for shows such as Fraggle Rock and Bob the Builder and Nolan Harrison, former NFL player and current senior director for former players of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA).
Tim Herman of the Flint & Genesee Chamber noted the economic boost that will result from the Hero Round Table.
“The Hero Roundtable is a new approach to conferences that will bring influential speakers to Genesee County and provide the region not only with an economic boost through hotel rooms, restaurants and cultural attractions, but also allow us to showcase the region’s ability to host a variety of meetings and events,” said Herman.
Tickets can be purchased online and include entrance to the conference, lunch and dinner on Saturday, lunch on Sunday, transportation from supported hotels to and from the venue and an event t-shirt. General admission tickets are $325 and also include entrance to the after party on Saturday night. There are also a few remaining school staff and student packages available for $500 for elementary, middle and high schools, which include admission for one staff member and four students or two staff members and three students.
To learn more about the Hero Round Table, purchase a sponsorship or event tickets, visit www.heroroundtable.com or contact event organizers Matt Langdon at (810) 689-4376 or contact@heroroundtable.com or Adam Hartley at (810) 247-8636 or adamhartley2012@gmail.com.
About Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy
Michigan-based Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy, founded in 1975, serves patients nationwide as the country’s largest independent specialty pharmacy and focuses on complete medication management programs for patients with serious and chronic conditions. Key programs include: Oncology, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s, Hemophilia/IVIG, Growth Hormone and Psoriasis. Other specialty areas include transplant, fertility and bio-identical hormone therapy. Diplomat’s business model creates unique partnerships around both distribution and services with all industry stakeholders including physicians, patients, group purchasing organizations, hospital systems, retail chains and managed markets, always focused on improving adherence and the patient experience. Learn more about Keeping Patients Healthier…Longer at www.diplomatpharmacy.com.