Brain Breaks

We are in an era of incredible disruption; organizations and leaders are contemplating their business strategies and trying to align them with predictions for the future. What trends are on the horizon? Is more disruption likely to occur? How can we predict the future? In just 30 minutes, you will learn more about the trends coming of age alongside Generation Z -- a generation raised with a whole new set of influences and obstacles in comparison to any generation that has come before them.

In just 30 minutes, Laura Putnam, CEO of Motion Infusion, will share how you can become “Me At My Best®” – whatever that looks like for you. Through a combination of stories and science, you’ll get up to speed on the multiple dimensions needed to be your best self: physical, emotional, social, financial, career and community. Watch and come away refreshed and armed with specific takeaways to catapult yourself into a revitalized way of living.

Today’s speaker is Clarence Day, WSET Level 3 Wines Certified + Wine Director, Arden Wine Bar.

As meeting professionals, you know a thing or two about wine and you have probably tried some amazing varietals at your events. But what about your everyday house wine? If you are like us, you may have champagne tastes on somewhat of a Budweiser budget, especially after 2020! How can you make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck? Enter Clarence Day.

Today's speaker is Margrete Chadwick, energy medicine practitioner. Margrete served over 25 years in the hospitality industry, predominately as a hotelier and DMC partner. Having a passion for the psychology of the human condition, Margrete became skilled in a variety of energetic modalities around the world and now serves her clients in Transformational Leadership education.

During our Brain Break, Margrete will explain why it is so vital for us to acknowledge our own self-care in order to become empowered, rather than relying on others or life circumstances for our happiness. Using the popular book "The Five Love Languages," Margrete will guide us in developing our own unique rituals for each Love Language.

Today's speaker is Lynn Lee, Feng Shui Practitioner.

While spending 30+ years in the meeting and events world as a DMC partner, Lynn found Feng Shui and became professionally trained in the practice. Since then, she has helped many achieve optimum life results in their residential, business and landscaping environments. During our Brain Break, she will share how we can create a happy and harmonious life by incorporating fun, practical and simple Feng Shui tips into our home and offices.

Today's speaker is Bart Berkey - author, keynote speaker & motivational storyteller.

Now is the perfect time to prove to yourself how resilient you can be! Show the world that you can rise above any challenge. Through motivational storytelling, Bart will share applicable tools and real-life examples that will help remind and reinforce ways to enhance behaviors, alter attitudes, and adjust perception during these uncertain times. Participants will learn how to FACE this situation, or any obstacle, head on. Join us to learn what FACE stands for and how you can put it to work in your life.

Today’s speaker is Laura Madrid, owner of Resort to Laura Madrid - a highly specialized, boutique travel consultancy with an emphasis on authentic, adventure, exotic & luxury travel.

Laura will help us answer “what now?” As lock-down restrictions loosen and the hospitality industry begins to open up for business, what does travel look like and who is ready to go?She will share a bit about where the leisure traveler will be going next and what we might find as the new normal on the ground, in the sky, and crossing borders.

In our post-Covid way of work, engagement and retention have never mattered more. However, few companies focus on retention because they don’t know how. In just 30 minutes, Dick Finnegan, THE Turnover Expert and CEO of C-Suite Analytics, provides a data-driven solution ~ an invention to drive accountability for retention ~ that has proven to cut turnover by 30% for companies across all industries and continents.

Steve Jones, SVP/Brands & Content for Stingray, a global music, media & technology company, focuses on one of the most enduring themes from rock history, and one that is particularly timely today... the comeback story. You'll discover:

* How one rock star went 16 years between hits, losing nearly everything he owned in between.

* What specific steps one of today's biggest stars took in order to rehab his image and restore his career.

* How two unlikely collaborators came together and demonstrated the value of diversity, simultaneously launching one career and rebuilding another.

Today’s speaker is Michele Rigby Assad, former undercover intelligence officer for the Central Intelligence Agency.

Michele Rigby Assad, a master storyteller and keynote speaker, will share real-life stories from her 10-year career in the CIA. Her fascinating perspective will transform your understanding of the following:

• How your greatest disadvantages might be your superpower strengths

• How the unexpected (and frankly, unwelcome) developments in your life can be the most transformative

• How to connect with anyone (helpful for sales, marketing, managing others, etc.)

Today's speaker is Luann Edwards, social media marketing consultant and founder of Socially Professional

Social media: It’s an important tool that can be used to connect when we cannot meet face-to-face. During our Brain Break, Luann will provide a strategic framework for your social media presence, whether you are a seasoned pro or a relative newbie. She will cover best practices for your online presence, how to get your message out and how to build a network that keeps you connected and inspired.

Today's speaker is Amanda Joiner, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis.

Amanda has been with The Ritz-Carlton brand for more than 25 years. Prior to St. Louis, she led multiple properties and directed brand-wide corporate sales, among other roles, winning many coveted regional and national awards along her journey including the 2019 Guardian Award as Ritz-Carlton General Manager of the Year.

During our Brain Break, Amanda will share an operational perspective on how hotels are navigating through the impacts of COVID-19.

Today's speaker is Heidi Carlisle, Second Vice President of Travel, Meetings & Incentives with Aflac.

Heidi recently planned and hosted a virtual awards ceremony for Aflac’s President’s Club that has the insurance and financial professionals’ community buzzing! Join us as Heidi shares her tips, tricks & video clips to making her top producers feel truly valued during these unprecedented times.

Heidi will explain how her team themed the event to provide a sense of place, curated highly personalized gifts, orchestrated live entertainment and involved family members to create an unforgettable virtual experience.