Dr. Frank I. Luntz

(March 9, 2011) Dr. Frank I. Luntz, an internationally recognized communications expert, political pollster and bestselling author, will be the luncheon speaker at the California Chamber of Commerce Business Summit on June 1 in Sacramento.

This is the 24th anniversary for the day-long event, which offers business owners, CEOs, public affairs staff, local chamber of commerce staff, board members, committee members and many more a glimpse into the state’s business climate.

Frank I. Luntz

Named one of the four “Top Research Minds” by Business Week, Luntz has written and conducted more than 2,000 surveys, focus groups, ad tests and dial sessions in over two dozen countries on four continents in the past decade.

His focus groups have become so influential that following the PBS presidential debate, presidential candidate Barack Obama said, “When Frank Luntz invites you to talk to his focus group, you talk to his focus group.”

In some capacity, Luntz has helped almost 30 Fortune 100 companies navigate the economic climate and connect more closely with consumers. He has counseled companies and CEOs on communication and language.

Companies and organizations Luntz has worked with include: General Motors, Federal Express, Disney, American Express, AT&T, and Microsoft, as well the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers and the Business Roundtable.

Luntz’ focus group technique, “Instant Response,” has been profiled on “60 Minutes,” “Good Morning America” (on election day 2008) and the PBS show “Frontline.”

He has been a guest on virtually every talk show in the nation, including “Meet the Press,” “Nightline,” “The Today Show,” “Charlie Rose,” “The Jim Lehrer News Hour,” “The O’Reilly Factor,” “Tavis Smiley,” “Montel Williams,” and “Hardball.”

Luntz was also a primary night and election night commentator for “The News with Brian Williams” on MSNBC in 2000 and for “Hardball” in 2004. His reoccurring segments on MSNBC/CNBC, “100 Days, 1000 Voices” won an Emmy Award in 2001.

Author of two New York Times best-selling books, Words that Work: It’s Not What You Say It’s What People Hear and What Americans Really Want… Really, Luntz has written about language for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Financial Times, The Times of London, and The Washington Post.

From 1989 until 1996, Luntz was an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He has taught courses at Harvard University and George Washington University.

Luntz holds a B.A. in history and political science from the University of Pennsylvania and a doctorate in politics from Oxford University.

Early Bird Rates

Attendees who register for the Business Summit by April 29 qualify for a savings of at least 20 percent.

The two-day registration package, including Summit with Host Reception and Host Breakfast, is $220 now, $275 after April 29. Other registration options will be available.

United Healthcare is again the major sponsor of this year’s Summit.

For highlights from 2010, see the Summit webpage.

Staff Contact: Danielle Fournier