Unreasonable Hospitality: How Giving People More Than They Expect Can Get You to #1

As co-owner, Will Guidara took Eleven Madison Park from a middling brasserie in NYC to one recognized as the best restaurant in the world when he realized something revolutionary—in a restaurant, the food, the service, and the design are simply ingredients in the recipe of human connection. When Guidara encouraged his team to be present with their guests, take what they do seriously without taking themselves too seriously, and employ a “one size fits one” strategy, magic happened. In this session, best-selling author, restaurateur, and TED speaker Guidara shared how an unreasonable approach to the pursuit of human connection can help you win—and give people an experience they’ll remember forever.

Every Job is a Creative One

Kyle Scheele has been called "the patron saint of crazy ideas”. Over the last decade, his projects have been featured in outlets like Fast Company, WIRED, The Washington Post, Yahoo!, BuzzFeed, UpWorthy, Goalcast, and more. His videos have been viewed over 250 million times, and he has spoken to hundreds of thousands of audience members across the United States. In this session, Scheele explained how creativity is a skill like any other—it can be learned. He shared practical tips for harnessing creativity and innovation, getting more (and better!) ideas out of yourself and your team, avoiding common idea-killers, and creating a company culture where innovation is a natural byproduct.

The Inclusive Mindset: Cultivate Diversity in Your Everyday Life

In order to make diversity and inclusion effective, it has to be less of a mandate and more of a mindset. Less of an initiative and more of something we embrace in our everyday lives. How can we leverage the power of listening, appreciating, and applying different perspectives to create a truly inclusive workplace? Author and influencer Justin Jones-Fosu takes an unconventional approach to this necessary conversation. In this session, he discussed practical strategies to create cultures of inclusion that encourage deeper collaboration, innovation, and engage all employees to show up to work with their best selves everyday.

Pride, Passion, and Winning: The Value of Sports to Tourism and to Life

Janet Evans is the greatest female distance swimmer of all time. Four-time Gold Medal Olympic champion, U.S. Olympic Hall of Famer, and countless other athletic awards led to her career as spokesperson, author, television personality, and keynote speaker. Her current role is Chief Athletic Officer of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. As our industry and state prepares for this incredible sporting and tourism event, she has helped us understand the many benefits that major events like the Olympics can bring: not just visitors and tax revenues, but also pride, passion, and a spirit of winning.

The State of the Travel Industry in America

As President and CEO of U.S. Travel, Geoff Freeman is the leading advocate for the $1.1 trillion U.S. travel and hospitality industry. He is charged with ensuring the industry’s full recovery from COVID-19, positioning the industry to seize emerging opportunities in a post-pandemic market environment and further establishing travel as a vital economic force in the United States. In this session, he discussed the state of travel and tourism in America, the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and the organization's strategies to address our industry's most pressing issues.

So-Called Normal: Mental Health & Resilience

Mental health advocate and strategist Mark Henick’s TEDx talk “Why We Choose Suicide” is among the most watched in the world. His talks are informed by his direct experience and explore his diverse and unique perspective as someone who has been a patient, professional, policy influencer, and public figure in the mental health system. In this session, he explained why it is essential we break down the barriers that keep us from addressing mental health in a positive and productive way.

California Political Report with Emily Hoeven

San Francisco Chronicle opinion columnist Emily Hoeven has won awards for newsletter writing, breaking news reporting, and her coverage of the 2021 Newsom recall election. She makes frequent appearances on TV, radio, podcasts, and panels, and helped launch a weekly political segment on ABC 10. In this session, Hoeven examined California politics and policy—from political parties and the state budget to urban revitalization, infrastructure, homelessness, and Governor Gavin Newsom's next steps.

Sustainability & Stewardship in Tourism

Julie Packard, Monterey Bay Aquarium's founding Executive Director and recipient of CalTravel’s 2023 Stewardship & Sustainability Champion Award, is a leading voice for science-based policy reform in support of a healthy global ocean. In this session, she discussed the Aquarium's many sustainability efforts—from pioneering innovative exhibits and education initiatives to engaging on ocean issues such as sustainable global fisheries, aquaculture, plastic pollution, climate change, and science-based conservation of marine wildlife and ecosystems.

Changing Tides: Navigating California's Economic & Public Policy Currents

Stafford Nichols, Economics Consultant at Beacon Economics, leads economic consulting projects that cross a variety of the firm’s core practice areas including economic impact studies, public policy analysis, sustainable growth and development, and housing. He has worked on tourism policy with state governments, city governments, and travel associations. In this session, Nichols shared his forecast of the top economic trends and public policy decisions that will shape California's future. Attendees left with actionable insights to help their organizations navigate the economy's changing tides.