The Bakersfield Business Conference – which for years brought the top names in politics, show business and media to Bakersfield every October -- will return next year.
Attorney George Martin, who built the event into one of the top conferences in the country in the 1980’s and 90’s and first five years of this century, told Channel 17 he’s planning at least one more event, probably downtown. After that, Martin said, it may become an every-five-years event. The last BBC was in 2005.
He said half the guests are booked for 2010. He wouldn’t name names but said the Secret Service is involved in planning security – hinting a former president or two might be on the guest list. That’s been a staple of previous conferences.
The Bakersfield Business Conference Website had a cryptic message Monday: ''Check back Sept. 27 for special October 2010 encore program details.''
A full-page ad in the Sunday Californian said: ''An event that helped put Bakersfield on the map. Returning 10.09.10.''
The conference started in the early 1980s with a couple hundred lawyers at the Stockdale Country Club. At its height, more than 12,000 people paid $300 each for tickets to the event, which had to be moved to the soccer fields at Cal State Bakersfield.
A tent bigger than a football field was erected each year for the main speakers, and a dozen smaller tents housed other speakers. A sports viewing center let attendees follow fall games that Saturday. A book store featured the authors who spoke at the conference and Kern-grown foods were highlighted in other tents.
''It's the Woodstock for business people,' said anchorman Dan Rather, a speaker.
Other speakers over the years included former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. Foreign premiers and prime ministers were guests. Actors, comedians, sports stars all entertained and taught.
