The 2017 Leadership Conference at Troy University on February 3 and 4 will feature dynamic motivations speakers, Rickey Smiley and Bishop James Levert Davis.

Smiley will open the conference at 6 p.m. on Friday at Sartain Hall and Davis will be featured at the closing luncheon on Saturday.   

The Leadership Conference is sponsored annually by the City of Troy and Troy University.

Shelia Jackson, tourism director for the City of Troy, said this year’s leadership conference will be follow tradition as an outstanding event for community leaders.

“This is the 16th Annual Leadership Conference at Troy University and each conference has been outstanding,” Jackson said. “This year’s conference will be no exception.”

Not only will the conference feature well-known and highly acclaimed keynote speakers, it will also feature an outstanding lineup of General Session speakers, including Anthony Brock, Steve Flowers, Linda-Felton Smith, Felisha Ford, Christopher C. Jones and Chandra Myrick.

The 16th Annual Leadership Conference will get off to a fast start on February 3, with Rickey Smiley who, in addition to being a much-in-demand motivational speaker, is a radio personality, actor, television host and stand-up comedian.

“Rickey Smiley is extremely popular among people of all ages,” Jackson said. “We are expecting a large crowd for this fun and exciting opening session.”

Jackson said Smiley is widely known for his prank phone calls on the morning show of a Dallas radio station.

“He would disguise his voice and carry on a conversation with the person on the other end of the line,” Jackson said. “Many people probably know him for that.”

Smiley is the host of the nationally syndicated “Rickey Smiley Morning Show” based in Atlanta and has starred in the sitcom, “The Rickey Smiley Show.” He is also a featured columnist on the nationally syndicated show, “Dish Nation.”

“Rickey Smiley is also a stand-up comedian so his show will be very entertaining,” Jackson said. “But it will also be inspirational. He has a personal story to share that should inspire all of us to do more and to be more. He will leave us with a message to take home and share with others.”

Tickets for the 16th Annual Leadership Conference are $30 and $15 for students. Tickets include the opening session with Rickey Smiley on Friday night and the general sessions and the closing luncheon with Bishop James Levert Davis on Saturday.

Tickets may be purchased online at troy.edu/leadershipconference.