Highly Regarded Turnaround Expert and Former Continental Airlines Executive Gordon Bethune to Keynote 2011 AMI International Meat, Poultry and Seafood Industry Convention and Exposition, April 13-16

Contact:  Janet Riley, AMI
               202-587-4245, jriley@meatami.com
               Tonya Allen, AMI
               202-587-4221, tallen@meatami.com
 
Washington, D.C., March 14, 2011 —  Turnaround expert and former Continental Airlines Executive Gordon Bethune will keynote the 2011 Meat, Poultry & Seafood Convention and Exposition, to be held April 13-16, 2011, at McCormick Place, Chicago, Ill.
 
Bethune will deliver an inspiring talk about confronting challenges in an address called “The Ultimate Turnaround: From Worst to First.”  His talk is scheduled for Friday, April 15 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. 
 
At Continental Airlines, Bethune spearheaded one of the most dramatic corporate turnarounds in U.S. history. When he joined the troubled carrier as president and chief operating officer in February of 1994, Continental consistently ranked last in every measurable performance metric. Bethune quickly assumed the role of chief executive officer in late 1994, and was elected chairman of the board of directors in 1996.
 
When he finished at Continental, the airline stood at the top of the heap. Observers say his deep knowledge, from CEO to mechanic, allowed him to pilot Continental Airlines’ remarkable recovery, and it is his willingness and eagerness to share his story that makes him an invaluable asset to the business community.  
 
Fortune magazine named Continental among the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America for six consecutive years. The New York Times has given his speaking style rave reviews:  “A big, blustery, no-nonsense executive, Mr. Bethune has the timing of a stand-up comic. But in between the jokes, what he has to say is pretty serious, and Continental's competitors would do well to take it to heart,” the newspaper wrote. 
 
Bethune is also the author of a bestselling book From Worst to First, which has been called “refreshingly straightforward” by Business Week.   Bethune is also a frequent contributor to CNBC.
 
Bethune’s keynote replaces a previously scheduled talk by Carlos Gutierrez.
 
The AMI Expo attracts more than 350 exhibitors, who display the newest technologies in equipment, packaging, ingredients and services for processors of meat, poultry and seafood. Food and beverage professionals attend the AMI Expo to find solutions spanning the entire manufacturing process — from receiving and blending to processing and packaging to material handling and distribution. Attendees have the opportunity to view exhibits offering everything that meat, poultry, and seafood processing and packaging companies need to run more efficiently, create new products and improve profitability.
 
For more information on the 2011 AMI Expo, go to http://www.amiexpo.com/ or http://www.amiexpo2011.com/.
 
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AMI represents the interests of packers and processors of beef, pork, lamb, veal and turkey products and their suppliers throughout North America. Together, AMI’s members produce 95 percent of the beef, pork, lamb and veal products and 70 percent of the turkey products in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Institute provides legislative, regulatory, public relations, technical, scientific and educational services to the industry. Its affiliate, the AMI Foundation, is a separate 501(c)3 organization that conducts research, education and information projects for the industry.
 

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