Head Table spots available for Dec. 5 hockey luncheon

Head table spots still are available for the Dec. 5 Luncheon with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis. The two will discuss the growth of the NHL and promote the annual outdoor Winter Classic hockey game at Nationals Park on New Year's Day.

New members those who have not sat at a head table for a NPC lunch are especially encouraged to apply. Please email Luncheon organizer Pat Host at [email protected] if you are interested.

Head table spots are opportunities for members to meet the movers and shakers who present during luncheons. A VIP reception for the head table and guests of speakers starts at noon, with a complementary lunch at 12:30 p.m. The presentation begins at 1, followed by a question and answer period. The event ends at 2.

Bettman has served as NHL commissioner since 1993. Before coming to the NHL, he served as senior vice president and general counsel to the National Basketball Association. Under his leadership, NHL revenues have grown to over $3 billion from from $400 million in 1993. The NHL survived a year-long lockout of players in 2004-05, the only time a U.S. pro sport has lost an entire season to labor strife. He also led the NHL’s expansion with the addition of six new teams.

Leonsis, whose company Monumental Sports and Entertainment operates the NHL’s Washington Capitals, the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the WNBA’s Washington Mystics and the Verizon Center, is the former co-CEO of AOL. He chairs the board of directors of Groupon, is a a co-founder and partner of Revolution Growth Fund II, and created and produced the award-winning film “Nanking.”

The Stanley Cup, awarded annually to the winner of the NHL playoffs, also will be at the luncheon.

Tickets may be purchase by going to http://bit.ly/14wQN8Z and click on the link under “speakers.” Luncheon admission costs $21 for Club members (NPC members may purchase two tickets at this rate) and $35 non-members. Tickets must be purchased at time of reservation. For questions, please email [email protected] or call 202-662-7501.

NPC members who wish to attend the VIP reception must RSVP separately to [email protected] 48 hours before the event. Space may be limited. You must have a paid reservation to the luncheon to attend the reception.

NPC luncheons are webcast live on press.org. Follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #NPCLunch, or on Facebook at (facebook.com/PressClubDC) and Twitter (@PressClubDC).

Submit questions for speakers in advance and during the live event by sending them to @NPCLunch on Twitter. Or email a question in advance, type HOCKEY in the subject line and send to [email protected] before 10 a.m. on the day of event.