News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. Sydney, Australia 15 December 2010

VIVO Café adds one of Australia’s most iconic figures to its list of special event evenings

VIVO Café will host an evening with John Howard at their 388 George Street, Sydney store on Wednesday December 8^th between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

Angela Vithoulkas, CEO of VIVO, is very pleased to welcome Mr Howard back to VIVO to discuss his new book, Lazarus Rising, and to give his perspective on the small business market under today’s government.

“I’m looking forward to speaking with Mr Howard again next month,” says Angela. “I was very honoured when he accepted my invitation to visit our store in 2007 after I was announced winner of the NSW Telstra Business Woman’s Owner of the Year. It will be wonderful to welcome him back again to VIVO and this time allow others to experience how genuine he is, and how engaged he is with those around him.”

Angela, herself a very experienced keynote speaker and MC, will interview Mr Howard using her unique brand of humour and different perspective to show a side of the former Prime Minister that hasn’t been demonstrated in interviews with political questioners.

“I hope to make this event very different for everyone who attends,” says Angela. “I’m not a political journalist but I do have very strong views on business and government. I have also been accused of having a wicked sense of humour so I hope to share a joke or two during the course of the interview.”

Within 24 hours the event registrations were fully booked, showing that the former Prime Minister still has a strong connection with the people of Australia. To avoid disappointment, VIVO released another 20 tickets which are filling up fast.

As well as having the pleasure of hearing Mr Howard speak, event guests will also be able to purchase a copy of his new book, Lazarus Rising and take it home with a personal inscription from Mr Howard.

“It isn’t every day that you get to spend quality time with one of the most recognised former leaders of our country,” says Angela. “I think that’s why this event has been so popular. We’re giving people the opportunity to meet someone who has had an enormous influence on their life and our country.”

“Although we’ve hosted events at VIVO before, this is something new for us and is just another part of our strategy to continue providing the market with just that little bit extra. It’s not often you can go down to your local coffee shop and shake hands with a former Prime Minister!”

Event Details:

Wednesday, 8^th December

5.30 – 7.30pm

Entry – FREE

Complementary light canapés

Cash bar available

Guest will have the opportunity to network, meet Mr Howard, hear Angela Vithoulkas interview Mr Howard and will have the opportunity to purchase a signed copy of Lazarus Rising.

About VIVO Café

VIVO is located in Sydney’s CBD. Sister and brother business partners, Angela and Con Vithoulkas know, after 26 years in the café industry, that they have created their finest work ever with the winning VIVO formula of sensational coffee, fabulous food and exceptional service.

The winner of 6 awards, including City of Sydney Business Award for Outstanding Café of the Year and Outstanding Business of the Year, VIVO Cafés can attribute their success to the drive and business acumen of Con and Angela, herself the winner of the Telstra New South Wales 2007 Women’s Business Owner and described by Madison Magazine as Australia’s “food guru”. Their continued dedication to providing excellence in coffee, service and food sees them brewing more coffees for Sydneysiders, Monday to Friday, than any other CBD outlet. And they intend to continue conquering the world, one coffee at a time!   

www.vivocafe.com.au

About Lazarus Rising

John Howard’s autobiography, Lazarus Rising, is one of the most eagerly anticipated publishing events in recent years.

No prime minister of modern times has reshaped Australia and its place in the world as forcefully as John Howard. Despite an early meteoric rise to become Australia’s Treasurer at 38, the self-described economic radical and social conservative found himself sidelined by his own party. After many years in the political wilderness, Howard bounced back, led the Coalition to a resounding victory, then got to work on his reform agenda. The Howard Government privatised the previously government-owned telecommunications carrier Telstra, dismantled excessive union power and compulsory trade union membership, instituted the unpopular Goods and Services Tax, trimmed the Public Service and reduced government expenditure, and established the ‘work for the dole’ scheme.

Media contact

For more information and interviews contact:

Karen Morris

Inscriptions Media

0408 559 400