Author Daniel H. Pink (Free Agent Nation) Will Address the VABook! 2002 Business Breakfast Audience

7:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 19

Hosted by The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, Sponsored by Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and Crown Automotive.

Charlottesville, Virginia, March 19, 2002 . . . The Eighth Annual Virginia Festival of the Book (VABook! 2002), a program of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, announces a presentation by former speech writer for Vice President Al Gore, Daniel H. Pink, author of "Free Agent Nation: How America's New Independent Workers Are Transforming the Way We Live" at its annual Business Breakfast. Just the second year this event has been offered by the VABook!, the Business Breakfast will take place on March 19 at 7:30 a.m. at the Downtown Omni Hotel.

Author Daniel H. Pink's list of admirers ranges from Dilbert's creator, Scott Adams, to Paul Orfalea, founder of Kinko's, to columnists for the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. According to Adams, "this book will turn your notion of ‘career' upside down. It might even set you free." Free Agent Nation describes the transformation of the twenty-first century workplace, where the "free agent" is now determining the way business is run and altering the direction of future business relations.

Pink profiles a new type of worker, who has emerged from our dynamic economy of the past ten years. Who is a free agent? Pink writes, "The new archetypes of work in America…America's new economic emblem is the footloose, independent workers–the tech savvy, self-reliant, path-charting micropreneur." He describes how a shift from the cold, impersonal Corporate America has transformed the work environment–creating an environment where the personal fulfillment of being your own boss replaces old values. The cultural, political and economic climate today has welcomed free agents into its ranks. Pink's presentation will describe, "The Peter-Out Principle," "Unschooling," "E-tirement," and "The Feminine Century."

Prior to becoming a full time writer and lecturer, Pink worked in the White House, where he served from 1995 to 1997 as chief speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore. He is a contributing editor to Fast Company magazine, and his work has appeared in national newspapers and other magazines such as the New Republic and Salon.

Reservations must be made in advance due to limited seating. Bring co-workers, colleagues and friends. Last year's event was a huge success with Michael J. Gelb, author of How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci. Books may be purchased after the Business Breakfast and signed by Daniel Pink.

RESERVATIONS: Call the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities at 434-924-3296.

Media Inquires: Jane Goodman at 434-923-0808. Media is invited, but please reserve through Jane Goodman.

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