Tom Brokaw To Emcee Rollout Event

From the sound of it, Boeing may just give Hollywood glamour a run for its money next month, when the planemaker unveils its 787 Dreamliner to the masses. The extravagant event, which could reach over 100 million viewers online, will be broadcast in nine languages to viewers around the globe... and will be emceed by a world-renowned media personality.

US journalist and best-selling author Tom Brokaw will preside over the premiere of the 787 Dreamliner on July 8, 2007 at 3:30 pm Pacific Daylight Time -- in exactly one month.

An award-winning journalist, Brokaw brings 45 years of broadcast experience to the 787 launch premiere, including 21 years as television anchor and managing editor of "NBC Nightly News." Brokaw's career includes live coverage of worldwide events such as the dismantling of the Berlin Wall and the first American TV interview with Mikhail Gorbachev in the Kremlin in 1987.

Brokaw will share the stage with several speakers, including Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Scott Carson, and 787 Program Vice President and General Manager Mike Bair. About 15,000 people are expected to attend the premiere in person at the Everett, WA final assembly factory.

In addition to those present at the event, up to 30,000 more will be participating via two-way satellite into the event in Everett from Japan, Italy and locations in the United States. As many as 80 other locations around the globe involving 787 customers, partners and many Boeing employees are choosing to download the event live or watch it pre-recorded and host their own viewing event.

The first Dreamliner -- billed by Boeing as the "world's first mostly composite commercial airplane" -- is now in the final stages of assembly (below). The first production 787 is scheduled to enter passenger service in May 2008.

To date, 45 customers worldwide have ordered 584 airplanes worth more than $90 billion at current list prices, making the Dreamliner the most successful commercial airplane launch in history.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.nbc.com