After the economic ecosystem was shaken to its core and government flexed its muscles, the public now ponders a future where once-infallible institutions appear wobbly and conventional beliefs are in doubt.

What reputation and communications lessons have been learned?  What challenges and opportunities exist for your clients and your firm in the coming years?

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from in-the-know business, media and PR leaders.

 Scheduled speakers include:

KEYNOTE: David Gergen - Professor of public service at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government and director of its Center for Public Leadership. He is also editor-at-large for U.S. News & World Report and a Senior Political Analyst for CNN. In earlier years, he served as a White House advisor to Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Clinton.

Panel and Keynote Discussion Moderator: Len Schlesinger - President, Babson College. He was formerly the COO of Limited Brands and a professor at Harvard Business School for 20 years.

Featured Panelists Include:

• Beth Comstock - SVP & CMO, General Electric
• Susie Gharib - Anchor, Senior Strategic Advisor, Nightly Business Report
• Steve Harris - VP, Global Communications, General Motors
• Margery Kraus - President and CEO, APCO Worldwide
• Tom Nides - EVP & CAO, Morgan Stanley

October 28th: Member Dinner, featuring Pattie Sellers, Editor-at-Large, FORTUNE; chair, annual FORTUNE Most Powerful Woman Summit, being interviewed by

Ambassador Karen Hughes, Global Vice Chair of Burson-Marsteller.  Previously, Karen was the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy. She also served as Counselor to President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2002. From 1995 to 2000, Karen served as the director of communications for Governor Bush in Texas.

• The Vanderbilt Suites
• Vanderbilt Avenue at 44th St. (Inside the MetLife Building)
• 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sponsored by: Business Wire, Davis & Gilbert and Newsmarket

To register for the 2009 Critical Issues Forum please click here.