When it was decided that the 15th Annual Spring Seminar would make "leadership" its central theme, some might have wondered what can you say about that subject that hasn't already been said at previous Arthur W. Page Society seminars and conferences. Well, it didn't take long for the more than 100 members and guests who crowded into the Astor Room at the Waldorf Astoria to learn that leadership can be demonstrated in a lot of different ways.

"Moving Mountains: Exerting Executive Influence 'At the Table,'" as the Seminar was billed, proved to be one of the most highly regarded spring forums ever for the Society. Skillfully orchestrated (no pun intended) by Marguerite Copel and her Seminar committee, the meeting provided an impressive range of perspectives on leadership, including some that don't quite fit the mold, at least as far as the typical offerings of many executive leadership workshops are concerned. But then, Page forums rarely fit the mold of what a business conference is thought to be.

Kicking off the program on April 5, Society President Jim Murphy said the Spring Seminar has been characterized as a 24-hour conversation that allows the membership to talk about issues that are important not only to public relations but also to the world of business and society in general. "This year," he said, "we're using this intensive time slot to look at an issue we've examined before, but with some interesting new twists."

Murphy went on to explain that whatever the chosen seminar topic is, "We are not narrowly focused on communications or on the practice of public relations. Rather, we try to address the broader aspects of the issue since that is what we have to deal with as policy-making officers of the organizations we represent."

While planning the Seminar, Copel said in her opening remarks, it became clear that "we need to hear from experts, CEOs, unusual factions and each other to really make a difference. To be a real influence 'at the table' we need actionable information to understand what leadership can do because leadership translates to outcomes. And if we can influence business outcomes, we demonstrate strategic value."

The Seminar provided a blueprint for how public relations can demonstrate strategic value. Each day began with an example of current research followed by practical viewpoints and outside perspectives. The intent was to create two solid half-days of meaningful content, interaction and relevance. And it did just that.

The Seminar also provided an opportunity for the kind of interaction and networking that members have come to expect from meetings of the Page Society. As always happens, there were some regrets that there wasn't more time for networking but that didn't detract from the real purpose of the Seminar.

The summaries of the meeting that follow are an indication that Chief Public Relations Officers can and will play important leadership roles in the corporations they represent.