The inaugural Inspire Dunedin event, to be held at Forsyth Barr Stadium on May 4 and 5, will be the final stop on a three-country tour for the experts, led by United States-based Spryte Loriano, of Legacy Life Productions, and Robert Evans, of No Regrets Productions.
Inspire Dunedin is part of an extensive film project featuring more than 80 transformational leaders from around the world.
The visiting speakers will focus on exploring behaviours and ideas that inspire personal and professional fulfilment, along with positive social impact.
Inspire Dunedin has been brought to the city by the Essence Charitable Trust, a group of Dunedin businesswomen who are passionate about supporting the community.
Trust members include Shona Cumming, Carolyn Northover, Shelly Gilchrist, Sandra Spence, Ange Copson, Annie Simpson-King and Anita Greene.
Spokeswoman Mrs Copson said the trust decided to bring the Inspire event to Dunedin as a way of ``giving something back''.
The event had two main purposes - the sharing of knowledge, and the goal of raising funds for the Sophie Elliott Foundation's work on violence prevention through the Loves Me Not programme in schools.
``It is very exciting for us to be involved in bringing this event to the city, and we have had amazing support from local businesses and the community,'' Mrs Copson said.
The inaugural Inspire Dunedin event was something of an experiment, and the plan was to bring it to Dunedin every two years, she said.
The format of the event, which would offer a series of public talks and workshops, aimed to give people the opportunity to hear from a wide range of speakers, she said.
``We have gone for a large-scale event, based in the seminar rooms of the stadium, so there will be room for everyone,'' she said.
Day 1 of the Inspire Dunedin event, on May 4, will comprise a series of short talks by the 40 international presenters and is open to all. Entry is by donation.
Day 2 of the event, on May 5, will involve 90-minute workshops hosted by each of the presenters. An entry fee of $30 per person per workshop will apply.
All profit raised over the two days will go to the Sophie Elliott Foundation.
BRENDA.HARWOOD @thestar.co.nz
