A learning and culture leader who shows teams that excellence is intentional—built through disciplined practice, strategic learning, and everyday accountability.

As a dancer-turned-hospitality expert, William Avitia demonstrates how the grace, discipline, and responsiveness of choreography translate into service that feels natural, intentional, and elevated.

As a spa specialist with a strategic focus on business performance, Michael brings a deep understanding of today’s wellness landscape—its guest expectations, market pressures, and operational realities.

Global leader at the intersection of travel, hospitality, customer experience, and technology, bringing more than 30 years of industry experience.

Afsi Bird brings more than 30 years of luxury hospitality leadership spanning Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star properties, integrated resort operations, and enterprise-level asset management across North America.

Alexandra Pelka is an international expert in complex supply chain management, ESG reporting, SDG compliance, and organizational change management.

Brittany is a global expert in Spa and Wellness, sustainability and holistic wellbeing, dedicated to setting new standards for wellness-driven luxury hospitality with purpose, impact, and integrity.

Bruce Himelstein is a legendary brand leader and former Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of The Ritz-Carlton, known for redefining luxury hospitality through innovation, service, and purpose-driven leadership.

Global Concierge leader with over 30 years in the hospitality industry, proudly serving as the General Secretary of Les Clefs d'Or for the past decade.

An international speaker and former Google marketing specialist who helps hospitality and travel organizations navigate emerging technologies, AI, and digital strategy with clarity and practical insight.

Chris Gardner is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, and film producer whose autobiography The Pursuit of HappYness hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and inspired the acclaimed film starring Will Smith. His latest book, Permission to Dream, was named the Wall Street Journal's Book of the Month. Gardner brings forty years of entrepreneurial wisdom to life through an intimate "In Conversation" format, ensuring everybody gets to hear what matters most.

Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer of The Future Laboratory, the leading global trends and consumer futures intelligence consultancy. Since 2000, Christopher has delivered insight to the world's most influential organisations, from Chanel and Louis Vuitton to Google and SONY, helping them future-proof through trend forecasting, foresight, and brand strategy.

Dan Chuparkoff is a leading AI educator and innovation strategist known for making complex technology clear, practical, and actionable for modern organizations.

David S. Martin, Ph.D., is a hospitality scholar and industry advisor specializing in consumer emotion, employee well-being, and the design of high-impact service experiences.

A naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist specializing in integrative wellness, preventive medicine, and evidence-informed strategies for long-term health and resilience.

Freddie Moross is a wellness and experience design innovator using music and sound science to transform guest experience, brand connection, and human well-being.

Executive Vice President of Forbes Travel Guide and the organization's longest-serving employee, Gina Taylor brings over two decades of deep institutional knowledge to every stage of the Star Rating process.

CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, Hermann Elger brings 30 years of global luxury hospitality experience to one of the industry's most respected rating organizations. From his beginnings as a doorman in Denver to leading iconic Five-Star properties across four continents, he has built a career defined by operational excellence, guest experience, and the relentless pursuit of quality.

Hervé Houdré is widely regarded as one of the most respected hoteliers in Europe and North America.

Isabel Tapp is a veteran strategic communications advisor who has shaped the global positioning and reputations of some of the world’s most iconic luxury hospitality brands and destinations.

Co-Founder & CEO of NIHI Hotels — home to NIHI Sumba, voted #1 hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure — James has pioneered luxury hospitality and purpose-driven brand building across continents. His work has earned a Harvard Business School bestselling case study and built NIHI into a brand where world-class experiences and philanthropic impact go hand in hand.

Jamie Knee is a speaker, host, and wine travel expert who helps hospitality brands and audiences experience wine country with greater meaning, warmth, and connection.

With more than 30 years of leadership across luxury cruising, hospitality, wellness, and guest experience, Jason Gelineau is internationally recognized for elevating service culture and inspiring high-performing teams.

Personal branding expert, inclusion advocate, and keynote speaker Jayzen Patria helps organizations transform and drive workforce engagement, guiding thousands to amplify their brand voice and bring their best, unique selves to work every day. A 25-year learning and development veteran of GE, Comcast, and NBCUniversal, Jayzen has worked with Fortune 500 brands globally and is the architect of NBCUniversal's Talent Lab corporate university.

Jeffrey Shaw is the Founder and CEO of Diamond Edge Consulting and one of the world’s leading luxury speakers, recognized globally for his expertise in affluent buyer behavior. With four decades of firsthand experience serving high-net-worth clients as a preeminent portrait photographer, Jeffrey offers rare insider insight into the mindset, emotions, and decision-making of luxury buyers. Named a Top Luxury Speaker by the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, he advises brands and business leaders on elevating customer experience, loyalty, and sales.

Founder & CEO of Black Coral Consulting and former Global SVP of Revenue at Kerzner International, Judith Cartwright is a globally recognized keynote speaker in hospitality revenue optimization and commercial strategy.

A globally recognized scholar whose work in culinary and business creativity, aesthetics, and innovation has shaped how leaders think about experience and differentiation.

Founder & CEO of Ciel212 & Co. — a boutique consulting firm specializing in luxury consumer goods, retail, spirits, travel, and hospitality — Maz Zouhairi brings deep expertise in ultra-premium brand positioning, cross-cultural storytelling, and high-net-worth consumer strategy to some of the world's most storied and emerging luxury brands.

A workplace strategist and “business anthropologist” who uncovers practical, human-centered ways to make work better.

Founder, CEO, and Executive Producer of OhThePeopleYouMeet Productions (OTPYM) — Michaela Guzy is a travel journalist and documentary filmmaker who has visited 121 countries, built a 500k+ social following, and spent over a decade telling stories that shape how the world experiences travel.

A veteran luxury hospitality leader and retired EVP & General Manager of Wynn Las Vegas & Encore, bringing nearly five decades of experience in service culture, team development, and world-class hotel operations.

Robyn Riedlinger is a leadership communication expert who helps individuals master their voice, elevate confidence, and transform expertise into influence.

Romain Taverne is an international hospitality leader with decades of experience across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.

Sahara Rose De Vore is a global thought leader in transformative travel, redefining how emotional well-being, purpose, and personal growth shape the travel experience.

A leading expert in resilience, leadership, and transformational change, known for guiding executives and teams through powerful, nature-based leadership experiences.

Through travel stories, Sarah helps leaders and teams build resilience by activating the personal agency they need to navigate change and drive high performance

Sophie Taitt is a former Netflix and BBC executive who helps brands use streaming-inspired storytelling to build emotional connection, elevate sense of place, and drive global demand.

Steve Palmer is a best-selling author, podcast host, TEDx speaker, James Beard semifinalist, and mental health advocate with more than 40 years of experience building people-first hospitality cultures and one of the most recognized restaurant groups in the country.

A design and sustainability leader with more than three decades of experience shaping the built environment for the world’s leading hospitality brands.

Vivek Venugopal is a facilitator, speaker, and trainer specializing in public speaking and communication skills.