Author Michael Lewis will be featured in a special public luncheon Friday, March 28, at the opening day of the national conference of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers here at the Cronkite School at ASU.

The conference, on March 27-29, will feature speakers on some of the hottest topics facing journalists today, including the rapidly growing legal marijuana industry and new models on the nation’s retirement system.

Lewis, author of “The Big Short,” “Moneyball” and “The Blind Side,” will address the group at noon on the formal opening day. The public luncheon is $75.

One of the nation’s most heralded authors, Lewis will receive SABEW’s highest honor, its distinguished achievement award.

Register for the Lewis event and the spring conference here.

Other highlights of the conference:

·      Covering the Affordable Care Act, with Michael Hiltzik of the Los Angeles Times and Edmund Haislmaier of the Heritage Foundation.
·      The business of pot, with Steve DeAngelo of Harborside marijuana dispensary, Brendan Kennedy of Privateer Holdings and Chris Walsh of Marijuana Business Daily.
·      Innovations in business journalism, with Kevin Delaney of Quartz and Caitlin Kenney of NPR’s Planet Money.
·      Americans and their retirement savings, with Dallas Salisbury of the Employee Benefit Research Institute and Gail MarksJarvis of the Chicago Tribune.

The conference also will include three evening receptions and will be capped by the Best in Business awards banquet at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. Day rates are available, starting at $150.

If you have not already registered, make sure to sign up today and take advantage of a great room rate of $169 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. You can find complete conference details, including the full schedule and registration information, on the SABEW website.