Knoxville Took on the World: Lessons Learned and Remembering the Joy

601 South Gay Street,Knoxville TN 37902

28 July, 2022

Description

A brief tour linking East TN roots (Anderson, Roane, Sevier and Knox counties), then a tour of the world as he led the effort to secure, organize, recruit, and operate the most successful special category World's Fair in U.S. history (the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville). Sharing interesting anecdotes, then responding to questions as long as time allows. About the Speaker Nashville-based marketing consultant Bo Roberts is still working on figuring out exactly what he wants to be when he finally grows up. The East Tennessee-raised, University of Tennessee-educated journalist, Air Force veteran, author and writer has sampled several somewhat-related professions, enjoying each and every one of them. At the beginning of his career, Roberts was the youngest newspaper editor in the U.S. while overseeing two weekly newspapers in Sevierville and Gatlinburg, TN, before becoming the youngest governor’s cabinet staff appointee in Tennessee history. He then became the youngest vice president ever at the University of Tennessee, before taking on the world as the youngest president and CEO of an international exposition while overseeing the highly successful 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville. His first book, entitled “Forever Young,” is certainly appropriate. Meanwhile, he continues to dabble in politics. The working title of his second book, “Flaming Moderate” aptly describes his hope for a more balanced outlook with better outcomes for the citizens of our planet.