Two Waukee businessmen and Waukee Patch bloggers, Shane Blanchard and Chris McLinden, were part of the more than 15,000 Des Moines and Iowa professionals who were absent from work on Tuesday to listen to a host of nationally-known motivational speakers at the “Get Motivated Des Moines" event at Wells Fargo Arena.

Blanchard, insurance guy at Farm Bureau by day and Waukee City
Councilman by night and Chris McLinden, former president of the Waukee Area Chamber and owner and president of Axis Human Capital, Inc. a headhunting outfit with offices in Waukee gave Patch readers their review of the event .

Read their reviews of the speakers below, in order of their appearance:

Kirk Ferentz

McLinden: I missed Kirk because I got caught in “Chicago-like“ traffic jam on 235 on my way from Waukee to “the Well” with my 15,000 of my motivational
seekers. Kirk would probably suspend me for two games for not being prepared and leaving earlier for the event. On the other hand, if I was inebriated and got in trouble with the law – he would have issued a statement saying he was waiting to hear from the Iowa City Police.

Blanchard: If you have ever seen him in a television interview, then you can understand how he was exactly the same. Straight to the point, simple and organized. He spoke so much about the NFL, it scared me to think he may be coaching there soon.

Steve Forbes

McLinden: I must admit I was a big Forbes supporter when he ran in ’96 and 2000. I have to give him an 'A' for honesty this time back to his very familiar (to
Forbes) Des Moines. He came out on the stage and said he hoped his advice would help anyone who didn’t do it his way – and that was - (and I paraphrase) “being born into a wealthy (very wealthy) publisher scions family." Kudos to you Steve for being unabashedly honest = a solid B.

Blanchard: "FLAT TAX, FLAT TAX, FLAT TAX." I knew he was going to talk about it and he did not let me down. I would love for this man to be considered for vice-resident. He gave great insight on how to look for the simple things to come up with a way to make it big.

Dan Rather

McLinden: I planned on Dan to look old and washed up and he didn’t disappoint.

Blanchard: He was ok. I do like his thoughts on having a navigation star. Which is an ultimate goal to look towards to keep you on the right track.

'The Fourth Guy'

McLinden: I can’t remember his name but his shtick was trying to help us remember. Remind me to to sue him and Dale Carnegie for malpractice.

Blanchard: I cannot remember this speaker’s name but he was great. He sounded like a preacher. And if there would have been an alter call I would have went down.

Investment Huckster, Phil Town

McLinden: The only bad part about sitting in a Skybox to watch “Get Motivated
Des Moines” was to see a wide angle lens view of the thousands of Iowans running to throw their well-earned dollars at this guy’s investment classes. Money that would have been better spent on an overpriced (really over priced) fake
grinder with Graziano Brothers sausage (apparently). And they gave this guy extra time at noon time. He did have relatives in Ottumwa and Iowa City, which he highlighted as well as highlighting Iowans having very little knowledge of expensive sports cars.

Blanchard: After about 5 minutes of listening I felt like I was watching an infomercial being filmed right in front me. Now I know for just $99, I can become a millionaire in just 10 years. I only have to watch for three green arrows pointing up to buy stock, and sell when I see three red arrows pointing down.

Karl Rove and Robert Gibbs (political savants)

McLinden: After Rove described his day on 9/11 with GWB – no one heard what Gibbs said (oh yea – I did – Barack Obama’s “courageous” bailout of the auto industry with our money).

Blanchard: This was my favorite. I gained a lot of respect for Mr. Rove. Listening to his story of being in Air Force one with President Bush on 9/11 was inspiring and humbling. Knowing he calm it takes to be a leader in time of devastation. Mr. Gibbs tried to compete about President Obama making a huge decision on
bailing out the Auto Industry.

"God Bless America"

McLinden: Song by some singer I never heard of – well done!

Blanchard: Did a great job                         

'Some Big Guy in a Blue Suit'

McLinden: He came back from life as a child – don’t ask and I won’t tell.

Rapp Singers

McLinden: Woke us up after lunch and gave away a trip to Disney to the best dancer who got up on stage with them – my choice won (woo hoo!)

Blanchard: I got a little jiggy wit it.

Joe Montana

McLinden: Biggest disappointment of the day (see Dan Rather critique).

Blanchard: Spoke a lot about doing the basics or fundamentals of your profession. Again a simple truth, but most people do not do it. He spoke a lot about Jerry Rice, and his practice habits of doing the fundamentals. Keep yourself doing the basic of your everyday job, and you will succeed.

Bill Cosby

McLinden: Dr. Huxtable was much better than I expected him to be. Funny, humorous, with a great inspirational message! Only disappointment – no 'puddin pops' or really cool crew neck sweaters.

Blanchard: He was my favorite person of the day. He was inspiring, motivating and funny. He gave simple instructions with how to be better. He used a lyric of James Brown, just two words “Get Up” as in “Get Up” when you fall down, “Get Up when things get tough, “Get Up” and do something. It’s a word to put inyour head and just “Get Up.” It’s an action word.

James Smith

McLinden: Too tall, too irreverent, and too much of greasy investment huckster …. BUT I came close to paying $49 for a follow up 3-day seminar on investing
in real estate …almost.

Blanchard: This guy was entertaining, very funny and again another person there to sell me on an idea to become a millionaire. His program was only $49.

Lisa “Sassy” Sasevich

McLinden: A sales trainer – she lost all credibility after she reduced her follow-up one day class from $897 in San Diego to $29 for a one day seminar in Des Moines. (*authors note – she was well endowed and looked much better than Dan Rather did at 9 o’clock a.m. – but I’m not employed as a secret service agent.)

Blanchard: I was not able to listen to this speaker. I had an appointment with a client. However as I was leaving I was able to hear her commercial video. I did not pay attention as I do not plan on becoming rich quick. Call me you what you want, but until I actually come across someone I know that has become rich quick off these types of investing, real estate, or eBay selling people. Then my ears will perk up.

And, last but not least (at 4:45 p.m.)...

Fred Hoiberg

McLinden: Well done, Mayor! Made me feel much less embarrassed that I stayed till the end. Didn’t play up his open heart surgery or implanted pacemaker. One class act. The Cyclones should be happy with this stud!

Blanchard: I  was not able to hear the Mayor speak as I was gone by this time. I only wish he could have been earlier. I would have loved to have listened to him.