The Appraisal Institute announced Feb. 20 that former U.S. Navy Captain Charles Plumb, a Vietnam prisoner of war and author, will be the keynote speaker at its 2012 Annual Meeting. The event will take place Aug. 1-3 at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego.

On Plumb’s 75th mission in an F-4 Phantom jet, with only five days before he was to return home from Vietnam, Plumb was shot down, captured, tortured and imprisoned in an 8 foot x 8 foot cell. He spent the next 2,103 days as a prisoner of war.

Drawing parallels between his P.O.W. experience and the challenges of everyday life, Plumb’s presentations are as he is: sincere, straightforward, humorous and tailored to motivate each audience he encounters. He shares insights on how to cope with the difficulties, as well as the opportunities in life.

Plumb has shared his story with more than 4,500 audiences and on television shows such as Good Morning America, Nightline, Larry King Live and The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.

His military honors include two Purple Hearts, the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the P.O.W. Medal.

The AI Annual Meeting will feature more than 20 panel discussions and workshops, as well as numerous opportunities for networking and information sharing, continuing education (with the chance to earn up to 18 hours of Appraisal Institute CE credit, and state credit), an awards dinner, exhibits and plenty of leisure time activities.

Registration is now open. Sign up today and find schedule information, an exhibitor list, hotel packages and discounted airfare.

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