Norfolk Forum marks 90th year with former prime minister among speakers

The Norfolk Forum recently announced its lineup for the upcoming 2022-23 season, which also marks the nonprofit’s 90th anniversary.

Season speakers include Rick Steves, Mara Liasson, Linda Johnson Rice and former British Prime Minister David Cameron, addressing topics ranging from keys to safe and fun European travel, the impact of the mid-term Congressional elections, lessons learned from building multiple globally successful brands, and the challenges and opportunities facing the world today.

“The lineup for our 90th anniversary season perfectly embodies the mission of The Norfolk Forum,” forum president Jason Davis said in a news release. “To bring thought-provoking speakers to our stage who will inspire, inform, and engage our audience members.”

Founded in 1933, The Norfolk Forum is the oldest publicly subscribed speakers forum in the country. Each season, the nonprofit presents thought-provoking public figures who, in different ways, help shape American thought and opinion. After each presentation, speakers engage the audience in a question-and-answer session.

This season’s speakers include:

Rick Steves, public television host and Guidebook author

Wednesday, Sept. 7, Chrysler Hall

Everyone’s favorite European travel expert, Rick Steves encourages Americans to broaden their perspectives through travel. He is the founder and owner of Rick Steves’ Europe, a travel business with a tour program that brings more than 30,000 people to Europe annually. Rick taught his first travel class in the mid-1970s, and now, more than 40 years later, he still measures his success not by dollars earned but by trips impacted. Rick spends about four months a year in Europe, researching guidebooks, fine-tuning his tour program, filming his TV show, and making new discoveries for travelers.

Mara Liasson, political analyst, Fox News; National Political Correspondent, NPR

Tuesday, Oct. 25, Chrysler Hall

Liasson will provide her take on today’s political environment just ahead of the mid-term Congressional elections, as well as the role media plays in all of our lives. She is well known as a political contributor on Fox News, and a recognizable voice on NPR’s “All Things Considered” and “Morning Edition.” Liasson began her tenure in 1985, and later became White House correspondent during the eight-year Clinton Administration.

Linda Johnson Rice, chair and CEO, Johnson Publishing Company

Tuesday, Jan. 24 Chrysler Hall

Linda Johnson Rice has decades of experience in building globally recognized brands and spent much of her career managing an African-American publishing company. Rice will give insights on the next phase of Johnson Publishing Company, which includes film and television projects. She will also address her experiences on serving on 10 corporate boards throughout her career. Smart and soulful, humorous, resilient and big-hearted, Rice will share stories from her interactions with some of the most iconic pop culture figures who graced the pages of Ebony and Jet over the years, as well as her own story of running a beloved family business that grew to become a national treasure.

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron

Wednesday, May 3, 2023, location to be determined

As the youngest British prime minister in two centuries, David Cameron came to power at a moment of economic crisis. Under his leadership, the nation’s economy was transformed: the deficit was reduced by over two-thirds, one million businesses were set-up, a record number of jobs were created, and Britain became the fastest-growing major advanced economy in the world. A leader on the global stage, Cameron offers lessons in leadership and provides an unrivaled perspective on the future of the European Union and Britain’s place in the world following Brexit, as well as providing insight on the rise of populist politicians and parties at a time of profound global change.

Full season tickets for the 2022-23 season are on sale now for $160 each and only full season tickets will be sold through the date of the first speaker. Single tickets for later speakers will be limited and will only be made available if full season subscriptions do not sell out. A series ticket may be purchased online at www.thenorfolkforum.org/tickets.