Listen to this articleMike Pence, the 48th vice president of the United States, is the featured speaker for Long Island Association’s annual fall luncheon on Oct. 29, with registration and networking beginning at 11:30 a.m., and the program and lunch beginning at 12 p.m. Held at a venue in Nassau County, the exact location will be provided to ticket purchasers.
Matt Cohen, the president and CEO of the LIA, a not-for-profit and nonpartisan business group, will moderate a wide-ranging conversation, covering Pence’s experience in government and politics. That includes serving as governor of Indiana, vice president of the United States and as presidential candidate. Pence is also expected to share his perspectives on the economy, international relations and the 2024 election.
“It is my privilege to meet with the Long Island business community at this prestigious event held by the Long Island Association,” Pence said in a news release about the upcoming luncheon. “Our national economy and free market system depend upon business leaders such as those in the Long Island Association, and I look forward to discussing issues that are important to them.”
Cohen said in the news release that he is “eager for the opportunity to discuss Vice President Pence’s unique federal experience with him and hear about his insights on significant issues impacting the United States at the Fall Luncheon, which this year will take place one week before a monumental election. The LIA is proud to continue to offer the business community unparalleled opportunities to hear from speakers at the highest level of federal leadership.”
The LIA’s fall luncheon has a long-held tradition of speakers of note from a variety of backgrounds, including politics, finance, sports and more. Last year, for example, soccer icon David Beckham was the luncheon speaker.
“For many years now the LIA has hosted speakers of international recognition – an experience that business leaders can find no place else in our region,” Larry Waldman, the chair of the LIA Board of Directors, said in the news release. “We are delighted to host Vice President Pence and learn more directly from him on what it was like to lead our country.”
Pence was born in Indiana and his parents were small business owners. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000 and served until 2013 when he became the 50th governor of Indiana. President Donald Trump selected Pence as his running mate in 2016, and they entered office in 2017. As vice president from 2017-2021, Pence chaired the White House Coronavirus Task Force and the National Space Council. In 2021, Pence launched the organization Advancing American Freedom, which advocates for conservative values and policy proposals.
The LIA, in the news release, said it “supports a positive business climate, new jobs, and economic development on Long Island through its federal, state, and local policy agenda while also providing a network for business growth. These concomitant opportunities include hosting events and meetings featuring global and national leaders in government and business who are focused on critical issues that enrich the knowledge of LIA members.”
Previous fall luncheon speakers include Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush; former Vice Presidents Al Gore and Dick Cheney; former Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Hillary Rodham Clinton; former Federal Reserve Chairs Alan Greenspan and Ben Bernanke; former New York Yankees Manager Joe Torre; former New York Yankees Captain Derek Jeter; former NFL star and current television personality Michael Strahan; former NFL stars Peyton Manning and Eli Manning together.
Tickets and more information about the event are available on the LIA website.