Prosperion EDU is a one-day education conference for clients and their guests. Our most recent, Prosperion EDU 2017, was held at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver. It featured:
- 18 unique and exciting presentations on a variety of topics
- A specially prepared four-course dinner by Executive Chef Simon Purvis
- A keynote address by local mountaineer and Everest summiteer Jon Kedrowski
Some of the presentations were filmed and are available online using the buttons below. From the changing demographics in Colorado to New York Times photography, the classes aimed to inspire a sense of wonder and discovery for attendees. We hope to see you at the next one!
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Jon Kedrowski Ph.D. – Adventurer & Mountaineer, Author Sleeping on the Summits: Colorado Fourteener High Bivys, Skiing and Sleeping on the Summits: Cascade Volcanoes of the Pacific Northwest, Classic Colorado Ski Descents
Climb Your Next Everest
In his keynote address, Dr. Jon Kedrowski will challenge you to begin preparation for climbing your next “Everest”. Through pictures and videos he’ll take you to the top of some of Colorado (and the world’s) highest peaks and show you what it’s like to spend the night at the summit. He’ll share his thoughts and reflect on the lessons learned. Interestingly, he’ll also explore what comes after meeting such a sizable goal and answer the question “What next?”
Jon Kedrowski Ph.D. grew up in Vail, Colorado where he has climbed over 1,000 ascents of the Colorado peaks, including hundreds of ski descents (including all of Colorado’s 14,000′ peaks and nearly all the 13ers) in every season. He has climbed 6 of the 7 continental summits, including Mt. Everest in 2012. His training ground also included the mighty Mount Rainier volcano which he has climbed over 25 times and skied on numerous occasions.
His expeditions to Everest in recent years (2012 & 2015) have been featured on Discovery Channel, Smithsonian, NBC, Dateline NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, and CNN. On April 25, 2015, Jon was at Everest Base camp in Nepal when a devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck. All summit attempts were aborted but Jon was able to assist the Nepalese people with rescue efforts.
Breakout Session 1
Kevin Moloney – Photojournalist, The New York Times, National Geographic, LIFE
Beyond Landscapes: Travel Photography Brought to Life
What elements make a great travel photo? This session taught by New York Times Photojournalist Kevin Moloney will discuss those elements and how to think and act as a photographer while traveling. Learn to capture the moments and memories that make your travels unique.
First we’ll have a discussion on how still images communicate, tell stories and make arguments. How do your photos move beyond being simple snapshots?
Then we’ll explore a sense of place: how to make images that show what it feels like to be somewhere new and interesting. Capture the culture, food, history and landscape of new places both bravely and respectfully.
Zac Hood – Professional Travel Hacker, Owner YourPointsExplorer.com
Travel Hacking
If you’ve ever dreamed of free travel to some of the world’s most exciting destinations, this class is for you. Professional travel hacker and entrepreneur Zac Hood will introduce you to the world of travel hacking, aka turning credit card rewards into complimentary travel perks.
Learn how you can earn more than $10,000 in free travel over the next 5 years. He will cover the basics of travel hacking and show you exactly how to take advantage of a system that allows thousands of people to travel for free every year.
Craig Childs – Author, Columnist, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Men’s Journal, Outside
The Wild Heart
Exploration is a fundamental human trait. We are drawn to the peculiar, the beautiful, the miraculous. Whether in wilderness or in the city, on treks across vast landscapes or out for a daily stroll, we find what is wild.
This session will lead you from the everyday to the extraordinary on a multimedia journey with master storyteller, writer, and outdoorsman Craig Childs. A TED speaker, Child’s presentation will walk you through the wilderness in our own backyard.
Gail Horstman – Certified Life Coach
Getting Unstuck – A Life Coach’s Guide
Feeling stuck? What is one change that would make all the difference in your life? What would you have if that was a reality? Life coaching is a field that truly facilitates growth by providing clarity, focus and positive momentum to identify and overcome obstacles that will bring lasting change. In this discussion style class, Certified Life Coach Gail Horstman will help you:
- Gain understanding on the negative mindsets that we all have and how we allow them to stop us.
- Discover 6 reasons why people don’t take action to have what they say they want.
- Learn how obstacles can become powerful opportunities.
- Gain clarity around what motivates you.
Our mind is very good at seeing the negative – if you don’t think you can do it, you won’t! Come discover how coaching can help you gain perspective and confidence to create a path for tangible results.
Debra Fine – Professional Speaker, Author The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills
The Fine Art of Small Talk
Join Denver’s own nationally recognized keynote speaker, conversation and networking guru, and bestselling author Debra Fine for her fast paced, informative and interactive program The Fine Art of Small Talk: Creating Connections. Together we’ll laugh, learn and leave with tools to master introductions and remember names, break the ice, make the most of mingling opportunities and avoid conversation faux pas. Learn how to turn every conversation into an opportunity for success.
Fine presents to hundreds of audiences around the world that include the American Bar Association, Van Cleef and Arpels, Hyatt Hotels and Google. A Huffington Post blogger her media appearances include The Today Show, NPR, Fox Business News and CNN. Fine is the author of bestselling book The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills—and Leave a Positive Impression (Hachette), translated and published in two dozen countries.
Vinny Laverty – Vice President, Legg Mason & Company
How to Pay for College
With the costs of college continuing to skyrocket, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for students and their families to pay for an education. But a little preparation can go a long way. What should you be doing to help your kids attend school in the future? Join Vinny Laverty for a presentation on savings programs and Federal Student Aid to help put your future grad on the road to success.
Breakout Session 2
Kevin Moloney – Photojournalist, The New York Times, National Geographic, LIFE
Your Camera as a Storytelling Tool
This follow-up session to “Beyond Landscapes” will discuss how to use the camera’s controls for more effective storytelling and creative images. Using examples from his more than 30 years of shooting for the New York Times, Kevin Moloney will demonstrate more than just a means to get a correct exposure, but how these controls influence communication and storytelling.
- Shutter speed — Action, motion and blur as storytelling techniques.
- Aperture — Thoughtful use of deep and shallow focus.
- More than zooming to fit — How the lens changes the story.
Equal parts examples and how-to, this class will leave attendees with the tools and techniques they need to bring life to their photography.
Elizabeth Garner – Demographer, State of Colorado
The Changing Demographics of Colorado
Colorado is in the midst of a “demographic transition.” With thousands of new residents making their way into the state, what factors are impacting Colorado and how are they forecast to change over time? Incomes, Migration, Age, Growth and Ethinicty (IMAGE) and their related factors are pushing Colorado into new territory – but are we ready?
This presentation offered by Elizabeth Garner, Demographer for the State of Colorado, will provide an update on the current population and economic estimates and forecasts for the state/region and highlight key trends that will impact current and future generations.
Craig Childs – Author, Columnist, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Men’s Journal, Outside
Writing from the Moment
Life happens in scenes and vignettes that capture the way something is said, the quality of light, a scent in the air. The writer’s job is to be aware of these moments as they pass and render them to the page. Whether writing for yourself or for an audience, there is a process of observation, gathering, and putting it down in words. This session will explore these skills of both seeing a story in the world and telling it. Join master storyteller, writer, outdoorsman, and TED speaker Craig Childs.
Observation: Seeing the world. Drawing the horizon.
Collecting: Finding the pieces you want to use, but not making too many decisions about them.
Reflecting: How do these pieces fit together and what would you like to say with them? What do they want said about themselves?
Formalizing: Putting it on a page, using syntax or palette. Writing a story.
Playing: Trying out colors, words, line strength, perspectives, turning paragraphs upside down, using different materials. Revising, re-exploring, experimenting.
Ed Bassett – Cybersecurity Expert
Cyber Security – An Understandable Guide to Protecting Yourself Online
Cyber security is no joke. Just ask Sony, Home Depot, JP Morgan, Target, or one of the 2/3s of Americans who say they’ve been hacked at some point in the last few years. But how do you prevent getting hacked? What simple, understandable steps can you take to improve your online security and keep your data safe?
Join cyber security expert Ed Bassett for an informative presentation designed to help you identify online scams, improve the safety of your data, and harden your online security: all with simple, understandable, easy-to-follow steps.
Debra Fine – Professional Speaker, Author The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills
Keeping the Conversation Going: Every Conversation is an Opportunity for Success
Join Denver’s own nationally recognized keynote speaker, conversation and networking guru, and bestselling author Debra Fine for her fast paced, informative and interactive program Keeping the Conversation Going: Every Conversation is an Opportunity for Success. Together we’ll laugh learn and leave with tips on continuing the conversation, exhibiting positive body language, becoming active listeners and exiting a conversation with grace.
Fine presents to hundreds of audiences around the world that include the American Bar Association, Van Cleef and Arpels, Hyatt Hotels and Google. A Huffington Post blogger her media appearances include The Today Show, NPR, Fox Business News and CNN. Fine is the author of bestselling book The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills—and Leave a Positive Impression (Hachette), translated and published in two dozen countries.
Dan Almuti – Vice President, Franklin -Templeton
Six Barriers to Investment Success: Uncovering Your Behavioral Biases
How does your behavior affect your investment success? What are some of the hidden challenges we all face, be they conscious or unconscious, when making decisions with money? Join Dan Almuti as he discusses 6 of the most common mental hurdles for investors, and tips for recognizing and overcoming them.
Breakout Session 3
Marie Booren & Lori Anderson – Professional Storytellers
Storing, Organizing & Displaying Your Memories
More than 10 billion photographs are taken per month, worldwide. We are capturing life but what are we doing with what we capture? Join professional photo organizers and scrapbookers Marie Booren and Lori Anderson for a presentation on taking your photos from overwhelming to enjoyment. You will discover simple solutions for bringing your photos to life in tangible ways, allowing you to remember the past, enjoy today and tell your story to future generations.
Robin Christian – Owner A Senior on the Move, CSA, NASMM, NAPO
On the Move: Methods for Downsizing, Simplifying & Organizing Your Stuff
Overwhelmed by your stuff? The items that fill nooks and crannies, bookshelves and bedrooms, can leave anyone feeling stressed and disorganized. This is a situation that requires a plan of attack and professional organizer Robin Christian is here to help. In her presentation she will help attendees outline their own downsizing plan, as well as exploring some options for getting rid of clutter and keeping it away for good. So whether you’re preparing to downsize or just want to finally tackle the basement that supposedly has a floor somewhere, this presentation will start you on the right path.
Kerry Caraghar – Director of Fly Fishing Schools The Blue Quill Angler
Urban Fly Fishing: Hiding in Plain Sight
Is it possible to fly fish over your lunch hour? If you live in Denver it is! Join Kerry Caraghar, Professional Guide and Director of Fly Fishing Schools at The Blue Quill Angler for a workshop on uncovering the best urban spots in and around Denver. The front range is littered with hidden gems: some well known, others not as much. So when you can’t jump in the car and spend all day driving, turn to one of these nearby locations to sneak in a little pre-dinner fishing.
John Booren & Kyle Haas – Prosperion Financial Advisors
Apps for Life
For the first time in history you can order a car, have the porch fixed, the kitchen cleaned, and your groceries picked up, all with a few taps on your phone. Thanks to the creation of new apps and services, people can take advantage of always available transportation, help around the house, and other helpful solutions if only they know how to setup and use these apps. That’s what this class aims to do. Together we’ll walk you through a number of useful apps designed to help with the little (and not so little) things in life. So whether your goal is staying independent or just a hand with weeding the garden, help is only a click away.
Ashlee Harry – Speaker & Educator, Neuroscience & Emotional Intelligence
Your Brain’s Design: Pathways to a Healthier Future
What if your brain were innately designed to build a healthy and hopeful future? In fact it is! Come discover basic tenets of neuroscience and how they shed light onto the human condition. Learn how new findings in neuroscience both reveal and inspire your future. Scientific findings presented will teach how the brain functions and is malleable. As a result, the brain’s pathways can be fostered to give you more connected relationships. In this presentation you will learn practical steps that can move you toward health & wholeness. We will unpack the science of memory and learn how the brain can help us as we reflect on past events that inhibit our joy today. Gain tools to become a better you!
