Dear Invitee:

We are pleased to announce Southern Summit 5, and extend to you a special invitation to become one of a select group of regional leaders who will attend our 5th annual event. Modeled after the famous Hilton Head Renaissance Weekend, the Southern Summit has quickly grown into one of Charlotte's premier annual gatherings. Please take a few minutes to consider this opportunity to join our Meeting of the Minds.

On Saturday, October 15, 2005, from 8:30 am until 6:30 pm, on the campus of Queens University of Charlotte, the Southern Summit 5 will bring together individuals from all walks of life for a daylong program of discussion and interaction. In keeping with the Southern Summit's mission of building a greater sense of shared community for our rapidly growing and increasingly diverse region, the Southern Summit will cast its net far beyond most visible public leaders. Participants in this year's program represent the business community, civic and political leadership, as well as academics, artists, clergy, service professionals, and more. You can expect diversity, varying viewpoints, and lively discussions. These are "off-the-record events where people are invited to share ideas to continue building the social capital in the Charlotte region.

Every attendee participates as a panel member once during the day (expertise not required), and all participants attend panel discussions of their choice. The program consists of four, 70-minute sessions divided into 32 separate panels. In addition, you will attend a luncheon panel and an evening cocktail panel where you will have the opportunity to listen to and share comments with other Charlotte leaders. However, because enrollment is limited to 200 participants on a first-come, first-served basis, we encourage you to accept our invitation and complete your registration as soon as possible.

So, join us by filling out the enclosed registration form and returning it to us with payment by Friday, September 9, 2005. You also may register online at www.southernsummit.org, or call Angie Mattson at 704.553.8082 if you have any questions. Our last four Summits have reached capacity very quickly, so send in your registration information early. Only the first 200 invitees who return a completed registration form (including bio sheet) with payment will be guaranteed a seat.

This invitation-only event is sponsored by the McColl Graduate School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte, Leadership Charlotte and the 17 co-sponsoring organizations listed to the left. Southern Summit is also funded in part by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Endowment Fund.

Thank you for your time and interest. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, October 15, 2005!

Sincerely,
McColl Graduate School of Business
Leadership Charlotte

Register online at:
www.southernsummit.org