Vicente Fox and Marta Sahagún de Fox, to Be Keynote Speakers at PRSA’s 2019 International Conference

NEW YORK, July 9, 2019 – PRSA, the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community, announced today that former President of Mexico Vicente Fox and First Lady Marta Sahagún de Fox will speak at the organization’s 2019 International Conference, taking place Oct. 20-22 in San Diego.

The dynamic couple will discuss their leadership journey, the critical role of communications and their philanthropic endeavors to advance civic engagement, leadership and equity among youth and the underserved, during a keynote session on Monday, Oct. 21.

President Fox grew up on a ranch in Guanajuato where he began to appreciate Mexico’s potential to become one of the world’s leading nations. He studied business administration at the Universidad Iberoamericana, recognized as one of the most prestigious universities in Mexico and Latin America, and also received a management certificate from Harvard Business School.

At 22, he joined The Coca-Cola Company in Mexico as a route supervisor where, aboard a delivery truck, he had the opportunity to learn about the most remote places of the country. He was later named regional CEO of Coca-Cola Mexico. After leaving Coca-Cola, he returned home, became active in civic activities, won a seat in the national Congress, and then successfully ran for governor in his home state of Guanajuato. Under his leadership, Guanajuato became the fifth most important Mexican state economy.

In 2000, he was elected president of Mexico and served until 2006. It was an historically significant election, making him the first president elected from an opposition party since 1910. Following his presidency, he authored the book, “Revolution of Hope: The Life, Faith and Dreams of a Mexican President.”

Marta Sahagún de Fox has dedicated her life to public service, including an impressive career in communications. She served as the governor’s spokesperson and was press secretary for Fox’s presidency prior to their marriage in 2001.

Together the couple founded Centro Fox, considered Mexico’s first presidential library. The organization is dedicated to contributing to the formation of leaders based on social values through a platform that promotes equity. Centro Fox’s “President for a Day” program hosts up to 500 children a day, 60,000 a year, to hear messages of hope and provide an opportunity to go home saying, “I can be President” or whatever they dream of for their future.

“President Fox and Marta Fox have dedicated their lives to public service,” says Debra Peterson, APR, 2019 PRSA Chair. “As advocates for social and economic reform, they are uniquely qualified to discuss the importance of being informed and engaged in today’s rapidly changing world. We are honored they are joining us in San Diego to share their remarkable insights.”

This year’s Conference provides an unparalleled opportunity for communications professionals to enhance their knowledge and skill sets, navigate change and advance their careers. Truly international in scope and offering more content than ever before, the program includes experts from across the globe, sessions in Spanish and 100+ professional development presentations hosted by speakers representing a diverse range of industries and sectors.

The Conference also includes 10 keynote presentations from influential newsmakers such as journalists Bob Woodward and Laura Ling, Microsoft communications executive Frank X. Shaw, and a panel of executives from leading global agencies, as well as peer networking events and an expansive exhibition hall.

More information about the 2019 International Conference is available here.

Media interested in covering the Conference should send requests to PRSACommunications@prsa.org.

About PRSA
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community. Founded in 1948, PRSA is the principal advocate for industry excellence and ethical conduct and provides members lifelong learning opportunities and leading-edge resources to enhance professional connections and support them at every stage of their career. With more than 30,000 members, PRSA is collectively represented in all 50 states by 110 Chapters and 14 Professional Interest Sections, and on nearly 375 college and university campuses through its student organization, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). For more information, please visit www.prsa.org. 

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Media Contact:
Rod Granger
(212) 460-0307
rod.granger@prsa.org