ERIE – Robert Herjavec, one of North America’s most recognizable business leaders, star on “Shark Tank,” and chief executive officer of the Herjavec Group, a global IT security firm, will be the keynote speaker at the Manufacturer & Business Association’s 111th Annual Event, starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 5, at the Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier. Herjavec replaces Kevin O’Leary as this year’s keynote speaker due to a scheduling conflict. All media are invited to attend.
“Although we are disappointed that ‘Mr. Wonderful’ is unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, we are thrilled that fellow ‘Shark’ Robert Herjavec has accepted our invitation to deliver the keynote address this year,” said MBA spokeswoman Tammy Polanski. “Mr. Herjavec is a successful businessman, well-respected author, and fan favorite among the millions of ‘Shark Tank’ viewers. We can’t wait to hear from him!”
Born in Eastern Europe, Herjavec arrived to North America on a boat with his parents after escaping Communism in the former Yugoslavia. From delivering newspapers, and waiting tables, to launching a computer company from his basement, his drive to achieve has led him to the fulfillment of a better life for himself and his family. Herjavec has built and sold several IT companies to major players such as AT&T. In 2003, he founded Herjavec Group, and it quickly became one of North America’s fastest-growing technology companies. Today, Herjavec Group is recognized as a global leader in information security specializing in managed security services, compliance, incident response and remediation efforts for enterprise level organizations.
Herjavec released his third book, You Don’t Have to Be a Shark: Creating Your Own Success, published by St. Martin’s Press on May 17, 2016. His motivational business advice has received millions of impressions through TV, print, radio and digital media. He shares his expertise with other entrepreneurs each week as a leading Shark on ABC’s Emmy Award-winning hit “Shark Tank”.
A sellout each year, the Manufacturer & Business Association’s Annual Event is the tri-state region’s premier business networking event, featuring the nation’s most prominent figures in business, politics and journalism. Among the most recent speakers are: President George W. Bush, Jack Welch, Carly Fiorina, Willie Robertson and 2015 keynote speaker T. Boone Pickens.
This year’s Annual Event is sponsored by UPMC Health Plan, PNC, Ridg-U-Rak, Inc., Logistics Plus, Reddog/PHB Inc., McInnes Rolled Rings, Howard Industries, LORD Corporation, MacDonald Illig Jones & Britton and Greenleaf Corporation.
Limited tickets available. For more ticket information, contact the Association at 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660 or visit www.mbausa.org.
