Gen. David Petraeus to Discuss a Smart Power Approach to Global Challenges

New State Advisory Group to be Announced in Support of International Affairs Efforts

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, will sit down with CNN contributor Frank Sesno to talk about the challenges the U.S. faces and how our civilian-led tools of development and diplomacy are integral to our strategy for global engagement.  Hosted jointly by the Tampa Bay Council on World Affairs and the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) this Wednesday evening, February 3, 2010, Petraeus will also discuss how important U.S. international affairs efforts are to Florida's security and economy.

USGLC's is also launching its Florida State Advisory Committee, which is comprised of government, military, business and faith-based leaders from across the state committed to putting smart power to work for Florida, many of whom will also be attending the event.

Who:

Gen. David Petraeus, Commander, United States Central Command

Frank Sesno, CNN Contributor and Director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at the George Washington University

Dick Batchelor, Dick Batchelor Management Group

Betty Castor, Former President, University of South Florida, and former Florida Commissioner of Education

Ken Hagan, Chairman, Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners

Richard Wainio, CEO, Tampa Port Authority

Stephen Albee, President, Tampa Bay Council of World Affairs and Commerce

Liz Schrayer, Executive Director, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition

What:

A Conversation with General David Petraeus: 21st Century Security: The Role of Our Civilian Tools

When:

February 3, 2010

7:00 p.m.

Where:

Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza

4200 Jim Walter Boulevard

Tampa, Florida  33607

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic and community leaders in all 50 states who support a smart power approach of elevating development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.

SOURCE U.S. Global Leadership Coalition