Keynote Presenters:

Emmy award-winning journalist Charlie Rose has been praised as "one of America's premier interviewers." He is the host of Charlie Rose, the nightly PBS program that engages America's best thinkers, writers, politicians, athletes, entertainers, business leaders, scientists and other newsmakers. USA Today calls Charlie Rose, "TV's most addictive talk show." New York Newsday says, "Charlie's show is the place to get engaging, literate conversation...Bluntly, he is the best interviewer around today."

Charlie Rose is unique. The round oak table, perhaps the most recognized table on television, and the black backdrop provides an intimate atmosphere for showcasing smart conversation. Journalist Morley Safer, of CBS' 60 Minutes, calls the program "the last refuge of intelligent conversation on television."

"Charlie Rose brings a Southern civility to the most intelligent tete-a-tetes on TV...his table has become an island where savvy channel-surfers put ashore each weeknight...an essential gloss on the media, politics, sports and culture." (Esquire)

Guests on the show include major international political figures and a mixture of renowned personalities from literature, theatre, film, dance, fashion, sports, science, medicine, and business. Guests have ranged from international statesmen Nelson Mandela and Mikhail Gorbachev to Nobel laureates Toni Morrison, Seamus Heaney to leaders in business like Bill Gates and Andy Grove. In the artistic arena, Rose's guests range from actors Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts to musicians Bruce Springsteen and Yo-Yo Ma. His program serves as a window on cultural areas rarely seen on TV like architecture, painting, photography and classical music. "Cheers - and a dozen red long-stems to Charlie Rose?His varied guests?and disarming interview style frequently make for fascinating viewing." (TV Guide)

Charlie Rose Special Edition presents hour-long profiles on such prominent entertainers as Meryl Streep and Garth Brooks, as well as weeklong specials on the cutting edge of science like the Human Genome Project.

Drawn from major exhibits at distinguished museums, his series called Great Masters takes an in-depth look at an artist's biography, as well as the artist's visual presentations of their art. All specials are produced by Charlierose.com, Inc. which also presents other programs in multi-media formats.

Rose is also a correspondent for 60 Minutes II, the CBS news magazine program seen on the CBS television network Wednesdays at 9 PM. He is known for his major profiles on Bill Gates, and President Clinton at the end of the Millennium, Hollywood stars such as Warren Beatty, Jodie Foster, and Madonna, interesting sports figures like Pete Sampras and George Steinbrenner, and cutting-edge subjects like Lou Gehrig's disease, suicide, and gene therapy.

Charlie Rose was born in Henderson, North Carolina and graduated from Duke University with an AB in history and a JD from the school of Law. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has received honorary doctorates of law from C.W. Post College and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. He is the recipient of the George Peabody Broadcasting Award, the Emmy Award and The CableACE Award. This year he accepted the Futrell Award, an award given to Duke University alumni who have demonstrated excellence in communications. The Charlotte World Affairs Council also honored him as the world citizen for the year 2000.

He is a popular speaker on a wide variety of subjects at college campuses around the country and is a frequent moderator of technology conferences in the United States.

More praise for Charlie Rose

The best late-night talk show...Rose has presence, is warm, engaging, and the cameras love him. The crème de la crème in the late-night world of television discourse.
New York Newsday

A well-produced hour that can move onto a late-breaking subject.
The New York Times

Those who like tabloid journalism and celebrity gabfests will always have plenty of television junk food to gorge on. Those who don't have had a problem - at least until now. Charlie Rose is the most intelligent talk show on television.
Women's Wear Daily

I am convinced Charlie could draw a fascinating interview from a stone.
Liz Smith

Rarely on television can you find intelligent, sustained conversation between grown-ups about subjects that are genuinely interesting. Charlie Rose is an exception.
Gannett News Service

Imagine Sheriff Andy Taylor in black tie, chatting with newsmakers and celebs. [Rose] combines big-city polish with down-home hospitality to make a captivating host.
Associated Press

With Rose, there are no boundaries, other than the extent of his own craving for information, education and stimulation.
Daily Variety