Faisel Sublaban
The Hotel Boss - President and CEO of Bonotel Exclusive Travel
Faisal Sublaban is one the preeminent voices in the travel and hospitality industry. After beginning his career in finance, Faisal obtained his masters from Harvard University and set his sights on innovating an industry he saw ripe for growth - the travel and hospitality industry.
Colja Dams
CEO, VOK DAMS worldwide
Colja M. Dams is owner and CEO of VOK DAMS worldwide, an international agency that has been at the forefront of the international events and live-marketing industry since 1971. Its many international awards and distinctions confirm VOK DAMS' reputation as one of the leading agencies worldwide, both for live and digital formats.
Amy Kule
Founder, Merry Wonderer
Amy Kule is the founder of Merry Wonderer, a strategic and creative consulting agency geared towards developing immersive activations, new business strategy, integrated marketing programs and branded entertainment events.
As one of America’s leading live event impresario’s, Amy Kule is equal parts entertainment maven and chief experience officer, delivering on expectations and delighting in the process to gain market share.
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Jeff Kalpak
President, Americas
FIRST Global Brand Experience Agency
As President, Americas, Jeff brings over 30+ years of experience to drive creativity and excellence in all things FIRST. He founded the award-winning Barkley Kalpak Agency, which he led for 26 years until it became part of FIRST in 2016. As a recognized industry expert, Jeff serves as a guest lecturer at top universities and trade conferences, and provides executive level leadership and presentation coaching.
Kim Thompson
President, Karma Casting
A recognized industry leader with 20 years of experience in 3rd party sales and marketing agency space. Managing clients such as Procter & Gamble, Pepsi-QTG, Rogers, Nestle, Johnson & Johnson, 3M, Diageo, Adidas, and Microsoft for marketing agencies like Mosaic and CIM.
Deepak Bassi
Co-founder and VP Client Experience, Karma Casting
Over 18 years of recruiting, training & executing regional, national, and international brand programs. Working with Fortune 500 brands such as Microsoft, Blackberry, Mercedes Benz, Diageo, Lenovo, Air Canada, Volvo, various cannabis brands, and many CPG brands.
J. Damany Daniel
The Event Nerd
J. Damany Daniel (the J is silent) hails from Brooklyn, NY and merges all the style of the big city with the charm, warmth, and humour (yes, with a “u”- he secretly wants to be Australian) of one of your best friends. An experienced and award-winning event producer, Damany (AKA “The Event Nerd”) has produced experiences for clients across the globe and always brings a unique flair to everything he touches.
Professor Joe Goldblatt
Emeritus Professor
Professor Joe Goldblatt is, according to John Wiley & Sons publishers, “the foremost authority in the world of events” and he held the world’s only professorial chair in planned event studies for ten years at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh Scotland.
His first book was described by the President Ronald Reagan’s White House Social Secretary as, “A gift from the master”. He is the author of the first textbook in the field of events management that has been continuously published for 30 years. He is also the author, co–author and editor of 37 books in the field of events management.
Courtney Stanley
Keynote Speaker, Event Emcee, Speaker Coach
Courtney Stanley is recognized globally as an award-winning changemaker, keynote speaker and event emcee, and acclaimed creator of the women-inspired podcast, Dare to Interrupt. Courtney has spent 10 years helping professionals, entrepreneurs and organizations engage in game-changing, impactful conversations that empower individuals to tap into their true potential, improve team and culture dynamics, and drive meaningful change.
Aaron Kaufman
President, Fifth Element Group
Recognized across North America as a connecting force in experiential design and live events, Aaron is an industry leader in strategic consultation and campaign development. As an influencer and speaker, Aaron has held roles with prestigious associations and foundations both in and out of the industry: Bizbash 250 for Canada, Bizbash 500 worldwide, and Eventex Top 100. Aaron has also been recognized by Meetings Today as an Industry Trendsetter and as a Meetingsnet Changemaker.