The league's 97th annual conference, which is expected to draw over 10,000 attendees nationwide, will take place from July 25 through July 28 at the America's Center in St. Louis, Mo. This year's theme is "You, Your Money, Your Future," and Anheuser-Busch and U.S. Bank will serve as conference co-chairs and title sponsors. The four-day event will feature over 80 dynamic speakers and experts in four plenary sessions and 18 workshops to be held over four days. It is the premier networking, recruiting and issues conference for African-American professionals nationwide.

"Our 2007 annual conference in St. Louis will gather together some of the nation's greatest minds and leaders to address issues of great importance to the African-American community in the middle of the nation's heartland," said Morial, who will kick off the four-day event with a keynote speech on Wednesday, July 24. "This year's event promises to show attendees how to make the most of their assets on so many levels."

Invited speakers include: Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, the second African-American governor in history; political commentator Tavis Smiley; Democratic Party Strategist Donna Brazile; Republican Party Strategist and former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele; political commentator Rev. Joe Watkins, Chris Gardner, self-made millionaire and author of The Pursuit of Happyness; Michael Eric Dyson, author and University of Pennsylvania professor; and the GOP and Democratic Party presidential candidates.

The conference will feature two political-themed plenary sessions, including forums of presidential candidates as well as a panel discussion assessing whether the black vote will be taken for granted. In addition, a town hall addressing "The Black Male Crisis" and a family prayer breakfast will be held. The plenary sessions will precede a wide array of workshops - from leadership and career development to understanding financial management to health and wellness improvement to wealth accumulation - to help participants improve their bottom line.

The annual four-day conference will feature a performance by R&B diva Erykah Badu at the annual benefit concert, sponsored by The Walt Disney Company and others. Tickets will range from $40 to $130 each. In addition, gospel and R&B husband wife/duo Chante Moore and Kenny Latimore will perform at a free R&B night sponsored by Harrah's Entertainment, Miller Brewing Company and WAL-MART. Singer Kelly Price will serve as opening act.

August A. Busch IV, President and CEO of Anheuser-Busch, Inc., and Richard K. Davis, President and CEO of U.S. Bank, will serve as Conference Co-Chairpersons. The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, under the leadership of President and CEO James H. Buford and Chairman of the Board Robert E. Wallace, will serve as the host affiliate. Premium conference sponsors will be Centene Corporation, Dell, Emerson, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Sprint.

Highlights also include: a career fair with over 100 Fortune 500 Companies and recruiters; an exciting, interactive exhibit hall with five specialty zones; the "Young Professionals Summit" targeted at 21-44 year olds; franchise and business development opportunities; career coaching; and interactive sessions on building wealth, entrepreneurship, health, education and entertainment.

Empowerment Exhibits Zones, which are free to the general public, feature informative sessions on employment, health, technology and homeownership. In 2006, conference attendees had the opportunity to conduct face-to-face discussions and interviews with recruiters from more than 100 Fortune 500 and high-tech companies, as well as non-profit and government agencies.

The conference will also include several awards galas and luncheons bestowing the following honors: the Business Pioneer, McGannon, Women of Power, Legend, and Collins awards as well as the Whitney M. Young Jr. Leadership Award in Race Relations as well as the Mollie Moon Volunteer Service Award. This year, there will be an after-party for the conference-ending Whitney M. Young Awards Gala. Healthy Start Fitness Workout will give hundreds of attendees the opportunity to start their day on the right foot with a fitness trainer, who will lead them in a vigorous workout each day of the conference.

More information about the National Urban League's 2007 Annual Conference registration, exhibitor or sponsorship opportunities is available on the League's website at www.nul.org or by calling (800-263-9926).