Author Patti Digh has been announced as keynote speaker for the 2009 Kick-off Breakfast at the PEI Convention, October 21, in Las Vegas. The PEI Convention will take place October 21-23, 2009, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Digh is the author of two business books on global leadership and diversity, one named a Fortune magazine “best business book for 2000.” Her comments have appeared on PBS, and in the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, the New York Times, USAToday, the Washington Post, and London Financial Times, among other national and international publications. She speaks around the world on diversity, global business, and living intentionally. Patti's most recent book, Life is a Verb: 37 Days To Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally was published under the Skirt! Books imprint of Globe Pequot Press in the fall of 2008. 

Registration is currently underway for the PEI Convention at the NACS Show 2009. Early registration rates are $275 for PEI and NACS members and $425 for all other attendees. This rate is valid through August 31, 2009. Full convention registration includes admission to educational sessions, Expo for all three days, the PEI Industry Reception and NACS Welcome Reception. Educational sessions presented by PEI will address industry issues such as Biofuels, PCI Compliance and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), among others. 

Tickets for the Kick-off Breakfast can be purchased separately ($30) the PEI website, www.pei.org/show, or by calling PEI at (918) 494-9696.

Founded in 1951, PEI is comprised of more than 1,500 companies engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of equipment used in petroleum marketing and related operations. Members are located in 50 states and 81 countries. PEI is the international trade association for distributors, manufacturers and installers of equipment used in petroleum-marketing and liquid-handling operations. Users of the equipment include service station and convenience-store owners, terminals, bulk plants and airport refueling operations. PEI headquarters are located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

For additional information on PEI or its membership, please contact Tena Wooldridge at twooldridge@pei.org or visit www.pei.org. The PEI logo is a registered trademark of the Petroleum Equipment Institute.