SPEAKERS
CRYSTAL WASHINGTON
Futurist, author, and Hall of Fame Speaker, Crystal Washington equips organizations with the knowledge they need to become “future-proof.” As a technology strategist and certified futurist, Crystal makes complex artificial intelligence, social media, and app technology easy to understand and accessible for everyday people.
Crystal’s clients include Fortune 100 companies, including Google, American Express, and Pfizer. As a sought-after keynote speaker, she has entertained and educated audiences around the globe.
As one of Forbes’ 50 Leading Female Futurists, she appears weekly on season two of the Emmy-nominated show Life 2.0. She’s also appeared in numerous publications, including Entrepreneur and Bloomberg Businessweek, and major television networks regularly call on her as a tech expert.
Crystal is the author of One Tech Action and The Social Media Why.
KEYNOTE: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 9:00 AM | FUTURE PROOF YOURSELF: HOW TO INNOVATE & THRIVE IN A CHANGING WORLD
The new normal of consistent change is leaving leaders concerned about being left behind. Instead of implementing half-baked, panic-driven ideas, it’s time to identify the breadcrumbs — secret hints — the future has left for us to find. In this talk, technology futurist Crystal Washington will show you how to innovate, thrive, and enjoy the ride.
RYAN MINTON
With over 20 years of experience leading world-class hospitality brands, Ryan Minton is a Best Selling Author, Keynote Speaker and an influential voice in creating exceptional customer and employee experiences. As a former senior executive representing hospitality giants like Hilton, Marriott, and IHG, Ryan has a proven track record of driving record revenues, profits, and engagement through his keen eye for operational excellence and talent for fostering dynamic teams.
Regarded as a top speaker and social media influencer in customer and employee experience, Ryan brings a unique blend of strategic vision and on-the-ground leadership. He has been internationally recognized as one of the World's Best Speakers in two separate categories - Hospitality and Customer Experience - by Global Gurus for his ability to inspire audiences through storytelling and actionable insights. Ryan also sits on the Forbes Business Council and is a member of the Jon Gordon Certified Speaking Team.
Ryan is a graduate of Miami University. He resides in South Florida with his better half Tressa and their son Charlie.
KEYNOTE: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1:00 PM | THANKS FOR COMING IN TODAY!: CREATING A CULTURE WHERE EMPLOYEES THRIVE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE IS ALIVE
In this heartfelt and humor-filled keynote, hospitality leader Ryan Minton reveals the profound connection between employee fulfillment and exceptional guest experiences. Drawing from real-world successes with leading brands and independent operations, Minton shares engaging stories and actionable strategies that show leaders how to create environments where employees thrive and customers feel truly cared for. This high-impact session demonstrates how authentic leadership and genuine employee appreciation transform into memorable customer experiences across every location. Perfect for General Managers, District Leaders, and Multi-Unit Operators, including those in franchise systems, who understand that their most powerful competitive advantage is a team that feels valued, supported, and inspired to make every guest interaction count.
Key Concepts & Takeaways:
The direct link between employee experience and customer experience
Why frontline employees are the most powerful driver of brand perception
Understanding the true cost of poor service and disengaged teams
First Impressions Matter – setting expectations from day one (for employees and customers)
“You Are the Experience” – how every interaction shapes the brand
Hospitality as a universal principle: caring for people in any industry
Kindness as a Strategic Advantage – why leadership behavior defines culture
Blow People Away (BPA) – creating memorable moments that drive loyalty
doug brown
Doug Brown is a platinum selling recording artist & songwriter and head of music for Nate Bargatze Productions based in Nashville TN. He first achieved success in the music industry through his band SAFETYSUIT & throughout his years of recording & touring, has built up a catalog of songs for other recording artists, film & television use, commercials & advertising.
SAFETYSUIT’s success has put Doug on stages across the globe, with his reputation as a performer being known as passionate & engaging, with audiences leaving feeling empowered, excited & inspired.
From #1 songs on the Vh1 Top20 Countdown, to sold out shows, to becoming a Vh1 You Outta Know Artist, to their sophomore album These Times displacing Adele’s record breaking “21” at the top of the iTunes Charts, the constant through all the success has been fearless & intentional collaboration.
With stories from the road, writing rooms, recording studios, brand collaborations and everything in between, Doug takes the audience behind the scenes of the music industry & inspires participants to engage in essential songwriter practices that are sure to elevate your team, your corporate culture & your brand itself.
KEYNOTE: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 9:00 AM | FEARLESS COLLABORATION
When it comes to arriving at the best possible idea, whether working with clients, understanding your customers or internal team interactions, the ability to collaborate without the fear of failure is an essential skill for success. Fearless Collaboration is a keynote designed specifically to help audiences not only hear about, but actually engage in and experience, key fundamentals used by the world's top music makers to write & create music fearlessly.
brittany Hodak
An audience member once described her style as “a mix between a really funny standup comedian and a really smart professor.”
In the five years she’s been speaking full-time (after selling her eight-figure startup agency), Brittany has spoken to nearly 40,000 audience members across hundreds of events. Whether she’s in front of 10 people or 10,000, she approaches every event as the most important one of her career – because she’s obsessed with giving everyone the tools to turn customers into superfans.
In 2025, Brittany earned her CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation from the National Speakers Association — the highest earned credential in the speaking industry. Fewer than 17% of professional speakers worldwide hold the CSP, reflecting a proven track record of excellence, professionalism, and measurable impact.
KEYNOTE: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1:00 PM | CREATING SUPERFANS: HOW TO TURN CUSTOMERS INTO LIFELONG ADVOCATES
We’re living in an Experience Economy. Customer experience, or CX, drives over two-thirds of customer loyalty; that’s more than brand and price combined. This keynote shows why every member of a team is in the Experience Department and offers a memorable, proven five-step framework to attract — and keep! — superfan customers.
Audience Takeaways:
Why the best marketing on the planet doesn’t cost anything
How to consistently elevate ordinary customer moments into extraordinary ones
Why superfans are the key to thriving businesses now and in the future
MICHELLE MARSHALL
Michelle Marshall is the South Regional Leader, Health & Performance Consulting, where she partners with employers to design, implement, and elevate workplace wellness strategies. She supports clients across all phases of program development, from foundational planning to optimizing mature wellness initiatives, delivering data-driven solutions that boost engagement, lower health risks, and strengthen organizational culture. In her regional role, Michelle also leads a team of consultants, providing strategic guidance and collaboration to help support clients across the South region.
With over a decade of experience in wellness programming and employee communications, Michelle brings deep expertise in vendor partnerships, program compliance, and strategic marketing. She is known for her ability to translate complex health data into actionable insights and to build custom programs that align with organizational goals and employee needs.
Prior to joining HUB, Michelle served as a Wellness Coordinator for a third-party administrator, where she led national wellness technology and communication initiatives. Her background also includes strong project management and relationship-building skills, as well as a track record of operational efficiency and program innovation.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in Health Promotion & Wellness from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Her passion lies in helping organizations create meaningful, measurable change through a culture of well-being.
BREAKOUT: WORK-LIFE BALANCE & METAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2:15 PM
This session will discuss mental health, burnout, and what it really takes to build balance in a high-demand industry. Hospitality is a 24/7 business—and for many leaders, the pressure to perform, be present, and support their teams can make work-life balance feel out of reach. From setting boundaries and building strong teams to managing stress and leading with intention, attendees will learn about practical strategies and approaches to help them stay engaged, resilient, and effective.
JESSICA TURNER
Jessica N. Turner is a content creator and tastemaker for busy moms looking for hacks to live life with more intention and less stress. Jessica is also the author of the Wall Street Journal bestselling book The Fringe Hours and Stretched Too Thin: How Working Moms Can Lose the Guilt, Work Smarter, and Thrive. She has been featured in numerous media outlets including The Today Show, The Tamron Hall Show, Hallmark's Home & Family, O Magazine, People Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, Time.com and Inc.com.
BREAKOUT: TIME MANAGEMENT & PRODUCTIVITY | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2:15 PM
This session will help general managers and sales leaders take back control of their time. Between constant interruptions, shifting priorities, and the demands of both guests and teams, many hotel leaders find themselves busy all day—but not always focused on what drives results. The discussion will include practical strategies to prioritize what matters most, reduce inefficiencies, and create structure in an otherwise unpredictable environment. From managing interruptions and improving delegation to building more productive routines and meetings, this session will focus on real-world approaches that drive both personal effectiveness and hotel performance.
NOLAN NICHOLS
Nolan Nichols is a dynamic Fortune-500 speaker, a soon-to-be-author, and the founder of an organization called A Million Dreams, which guides leaders & teams through building resilient, inspiring and incredible teams.
Currently residing in Washington, D.C., Nolan integrates his award-winning storytelling skills, masters degree in education, personal research of reading 50 books per year, and his extensive leadership skills into a groundbreaking approach to enhance wellbeing, foster a spirit of resilience, enrich company culture and introduce a more effective way to lead & live in today’s workplace environment.
Nolan has honed his ability to develop innovative and thought-provoking content that is practical, informative, and leaves a lasting impression on the audience.
BREAKOUT: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 3:45 PM | LEADING AT YOUR BEST: FIVE SHIFTS FOR STAYING SHARP IN A WORLD THAT WON’T SLOW DOWN
Emotional intelligence isn’t a soft skill. In hospitality, it’s the whole job, and it’s often the first thing to go when the pace picks up. The hospitality industry used to absorb a major disruption every few years. Now it’s seemingly every quarter, and the instinct when it hits is to pull inward: heads down, work harder, push the team forward. But the leaders who hold up best under that pressure aren’t the ones getting more done. They’re the ones who stay the sharpest and the most connected to the mission. In this session, Fortune 500 speaker Nolan Nichols shares five practical shifts for leading at your best when the pace won’t let up. Expect engaging stories, humor, and at least one idea you’ll act on before you leave Nashville. McKibbon has made it a hundred years. The next ten could hold as much transformation as the last hundred combined. Let’s be ready for whatever’s next.