SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Convention Center was packed with more than 11,000 human resource professionals as former Vice President Al Gore made a rare public appearance Monday.

Little has been seen of Gore in the past several weeks since confirmed reports of a split with his wife, Tipper, and after allegations surfaced that a 54-year-old masseuse in Oregon reported Gore made unwanted sexual advances toward her in 2006 and accused him of being "a crazed sex poodle."

While 10News cameras were ushered out of the Convention Center by members of Gore's camp prior to his speech, some in attendance spoke about the former vice president's appearance at the annual convention for the Society of Human Resources Management.

Pat Baker, of Arlington, Va., said, "I thought the speech was awesome. It was over my head a little bit when he talked about global warming and some of the other issues, but as an HR professional, I think it's key that we stay enlightened with all of the subjects."

"I thought it sounded scripted. There was a lot of controversy, at least our community at home, with the fact that he was going to be here with all the drama and the scandal that's surrounding him," said Rachel Stevens, of Cincinnati.

Jose Zapata, of Grand Island, Neb., said, "He did make a couple jokes, but he didn't say anything about him in the news and I thought maybe he might."

Gore left the Convention Center without taking questions from the media.