Yakov Smirnoff
Thursday Night's General Session Keynote Speaker

Be prepared to laugh hysterically with your Conklin friends at Thursday evening's opening General Session, when Conklin brings to the stage comedian Yakov Smirnoff! Who is that, you ask? Perhaps you've seen Yakov's huge theater as you've driven into Branson, Missouri on previous trips. Yes, that's the same Yakov Smirnoff - a legend in American comedy!

After escaping communist Soviet Russia in the 1970s, he came to the United States with nothing but a dream. Without knowing the English language, Yakov began working at the famous Grossinger's Catskill Resort in New York, where he was able to tell jokes each night after his shifts. As his English improved, he quickly grew in popularity. He soon made the move to Los Angeles where the owner of The Comedy Store, Mitzi Shore, took him under her wing.

His endearing view of life through the eyes of a poor immigrant captured the hearts of Americans. He soared to the top of the comedy world performing on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson and countless other television programs. Yakov was even a regular on "Night Court" and had his very own show, named after his famous catch-phrase, "What a Country!" He also branched out to the big screen where he starred in movies with Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, and Jack Nicholson - just to name a few!

With the heart of dreamer, Yakov Smirnoff has made the impossible possible, and continues to inspire others with his love for America. Yakov's unique blend of humor and patriotism will get Conklin's 2022 National Convention off to a magnificent start!

Rise Up Talks
Friday Morning's General Session Keynote Speakers

FoxNews Pete Hegseth
Saturday Morning's General Session Keynote Speaker

Expect to enjoy the message and cheer with your fellow Distributors when Conklin brings Pete Hegseth to the 2022 National Convention to address the audience as Saturday Morning's keynote speaker.

Whether it's the battlefield, the media, the Ivy League, or national politics -- Pete Hegseth is a passionate fighter for America and the freedoms we love. Pete is a decorated war-fighter, Princeton and Harvard graduate, a veterans and military advocate, a highly-acclaimed author, and now a FOX NEWS host and political analyst -- but above all, he is a patriot.

Hegseth is the co-host of FOX & FRIENDS WEEKEND -- America's #1-rated cable morning television show. He also frequently guest hosts for FOX & FRIENDS during the week, and is a FOX NEWS Senior Political Analyst, providing analysis and commentary across all FOX NEWS and FOX BUSINESS programming.

Hegseth's first book--IN THE ARENA--was published in 2016. In May of 2020, Hegseth's second book--AMERICAN CRUSADE--was published by Center Street and makes the case for a political and cultural crusade to fight for America's freedom.

Hegseth is an Army veteran of Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay who holds two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman's Badge for his time overseas. He still serves as an Army Major.

Hegseth previously served as the Chief Executive Officer for Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) from 2012-2015, the largest conservative veterans and military families organization in America. Prior to joining CVA, Hegseth was Executive Director for Vets for Freedom from 2007-2011, an organization committed to victory on the battlefield.

Hegseth graduated from Princeton University in 2003 with a degree in Politics and completed a Masters in Public Policy at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 2013.

Conklin is thrilled to feature Pete Hegseth at the Saturday Morning General Session of the 2022 National Convention. You won't want to miss it!

CAIN
Saturday Night's Gala Awards Banquet

Spend five minutes with the members of CAIN and you'll feel like you've spent the afternoon in the sunshine. The band's effervescent joy spills over onto each person they meet, their bright smiles as contagious as their chill-inducing harmonies. Pouring their perpetual joy into their debut album Rise Up, CAIN - made up of siblings Madison Cain Johnson, Taylor Cain Matz and Logan Cain - has discovered what it's like to live their calling while doing their favorite thing, singing about Jesus.

Raised in Alabama, the kids of pastors, CAIN developed a love for music from an early age. By elementary school, they were integrated into the church service, playing and singing side-by-side.

After their grandfather, who worked in country music publishing, saw their performance in a talent contest, he offered to help them make some connections in the country music industry in Nashville. For five years, they worked hard in the country music scene, learning the art of songwriting and how to live on the road. They had some hints of success, a song made it onto Sirius XM's The Highway, and they got the opportunity to play a CMA stage, but nothing concrete clicked into place. After some game-changing setbacks, CAIN decided to take a break from pursuing music.

CAIN stayed in Nashville and plugged into their local church, joining the worship team, content for that to be their sole outlet for music. However, a man in their church, their now manager Ron Smith, approached them about possibly pursuing Christian music. So, the band wrote three new Christian songs. Provident Label Group loved what they heard and offered CAIN a record deal.

The band's first single, "Rise Up" went No. 1 on Christian radio, and for good reason. CAIN's signature harmony-based, country-laced melodies are energetic joy-bombs. Their second single, "Yes He Can" went No. 1 a few months later, and the band began rapidly growing a nationwide fan base.

Even launching their career in a pandemic couldn't dampen their spirits, as told in their song "I'm So Blessed." "We had eighty shows cancel in 2020," Madison says, "and it became kind of sarcastic - I'm so blessed. But for us, we say it in faith. You don't have to be having the best day of your life to be blessed."

Conklin Distributors will certainly be blessed by Cain's performance at Conklin's 2022 Gala Awards Banquet, as they sing about hope that radiates the kind of happiness only found in the goodness of God.