The countdown to the Beijing Olympics has begun, ushering China's entry onto the world stage. How will this new spotlight affect trade and business between our two nations? Here are just a few speakers who will tailor their presentations for a highly relevant program leading up to or after the games.

How can companies make substantial profits while avoiding the potential pitfalls of commerce in China? James McGregor, author of One Billion Customers: Lessons from the Front Lines of Doing Business in China, has the answers for succeeding in the world’s fastest growing consumer market. Mr. McGregor received fantastic feedback recently for his speech at RiskMinds Asia 2008: “Your insight and advice was greatly appreciated by both myself and the delegates. People have mentioned how they enjoyed your presentation and that is was very eye-opening as well as entertaining.”

What are the cultural differences between the U.S. and China, and how does that affect business relations? A business consultant who assists U.S. businesses to break into the rapidly growing and largely untapped Chinese market, Ying Wang reveals what opportunities are available for U.S. companies before and after the 2008 Olympics; why the actual sports are the least important aspect of the Olympics from the Chinese perspective and how politics and international relations are at the forefront of this year’s games; and how distinct cultural differences will dominate the event.

How will China affect our national security policy? In a column from this week’s Washington Post, Henry Kissinger writes: “Economic and financial globalization, environmental and energy imperatives, and the destructive power of modern weapons all impose a major effort at global cooperation, especially between the United States and China. An adversarial relationship would leave both countries in the position of Europe after the two world wars, when other societies achieved the preeminence the nations of Europe sought through self-destructive conflict with each other.”

Does the U.S. trade deficit with China matter? Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky, who negotiated the historic market opening agreement with China on its entry into the World Trade Organization, shares her insight into where the U.S. stands as a result of trading with China and what the outlook is going forward. “Ambassador Barshefsky was fantastic. Her content was spot on and really set the tone for a lot of discussion that day. Her deep knowledge and obvious passion for world trade issues really helped us take the conference to a higher level.” (Harvard Business School)

How will China's image change on a global level after the Olympics? Christopher Patten draws on his experience as Great Britain's last Governor of Hong Kong to give a pull-no-punches assessment of how business with the Chinese is evolving in his speech “China, the World and the Asian Economic Powerhouse.” He says, “There is a prevailing sense among Western businessmen that, in order to do good business in China, you have to go along with whatever the Chinese authorities think politically. I think that’s complete rubbish. I think the Chinese are much more sophisticated about the way they do business.”

As Forbes Magazine’s Senior Editor on Asia and Author of The Elephant and the Dragon: The Rise of India and China and What it Means for All of Us, Robyn Meredith separates myth from reality when it comes to China, and sheds light on the challenges of the new economy with tips on how to succeed in a world where the emergence of India and China as major economic powers affects everything from our salaries to the air we breathe.

At the center of U.S.-China relations for over three decades, Ambassador Winston Lord possesses a rare combination of extraordinary experience in foreign affairs, unique exposure to U.S. strategic policy, the ability to take a subject which most others make complex into one which is remarkable clear, coherent and absolutely fascinating. Among others, he has spoken for Franklin Templeton Companies LLC, Sparks Public Relations, Callan Investments Institute and his first engagement with CLSA Limited was such a success, they invited him back for their next meeting.

	What does it take to be an Olympic athlete? With the Summer Games right around the corner, consider scheduling an amazing athlete to motivate the members of your organization.

“The Fastest Man on Earth,” Carl Lewis won 9 Olympic gold medals and attended four Olympic games during his career, earning himself international respect and a place in history as one of the truly great athletes of all time. He commands the crowd and shows audiences what it takes to win, overcome the odds and develop a champion mindset.

The fastest swimmer in U.S. history, a three-time Olympian and ten-time Olympic medalist, Gary Hall Jr. speaks on the vitality of teambuilding and its applications in the corporate world. "It has been my pleasure to have heard Gary Hall speak on many occasions. He is intelligent, personable, and articulate, and relates extremely well to audiences of all ages. Each time I've listened to him, I've been amazed at his ability to capture the complete attention of a group, and how the room suddenly, as if by magic, becomes completely quiet." (Barbara Singer, Director of Administration, Diabetes Research Institute Foundation)

Will his record be broken in Beijing? Mark Spitz has won more gold medals (7) in a single Olympics than any athlete in Olympic history. He has won 11 medals in total and was selected by the International Olympic Committee as one of its five Athletes of the 20^th Century. An accomplished speaker with various presentations and the ability to customize for your group, Mark has spent over 30 years developing messages that are universal in nature and always right on target.