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Schedule

September 28, 2026
Monona Terrace - Madison
Two Tracks. One Powerful Day. 
Choose the conversations, insights, and energy that meet you exactly where you are in your career. Move between sessions. Follow what resonates. Build a day that works for you.
Track 1: Growth & Impact (General)
Designed for attendees across all roles in hospitality to grow, evolve, and strengthen their impact—personally and professionally.
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Walk away with:
  • Actionable leadership and communication skills, practical tools, and guidance to confidently navigate career growth, pivots, and next steps
  • Renewed confidence, purpose, and energy, strengthened by meaningful connections ​
Track 2: Leadership Reset & Refocus (Advanced)
Built for experienced leaders navigating rapid change, rising expectations, and real-world pressures in hospitality.
 
Walk away with:
  • Practical strategies to lead through change—including navigating complexity, AI and technology shifts, multi-generational teams, and evolving customer expectations
  • Resilient leadership tools you can use immediately, delivering clarity, energy, and sustainable solutions for burnout, uncertainty, and day-to-day decision making

2026 Planning in Progress

8:00 am
Doors Open
The conversations, connections, and momentum start now — welcome.
8:00 - 8:45 am
The Marketplace: Connect + Refresh
Grab a bev and bite, explore the Marketplace, and step into the energy of the day.
Grand Terrace
8:45 - 8:55 am
Welcome
The conversations start here — welcome to what’s next.
Madison Ballroom​
8:55 - 9:45 am
Opening General Session 
TBA
You have to start the day strong — stay tuned for how we plan to make that happen.
Madison Ballroom
9:45 - 10:15 am
The Marketplace: Connect + Refresh
Morning bites, fresh coffee, pop-up experiences & meaningful connections.
Grand Terrace
10:15 - 11:00 am
Growth & Impact Track — Session #1
Don't Wait to Be Chosen: How to Create Opportunities, Build Influence & Accelerate Your Career
Presented by: Lauren Davis, Personal Brand Strategist and Founder of Lauren Davis Creative
Hall of Ideas
Session Description
Too often, talented hospitality professionals wait for the next promotion, invitation, or opportunity to appear. The reality is that career growth rarely happens by accident. The people who advance, expand their impact, and open new doors are often the ones who take ownership of their development, make their contributions visible, and intentionally create momentum.

In this interactive session, attendees will explore practical ways to increase their influence, advocate for themselves professionally, and position themselves for future opportunities—regardless of title, experience level, or career path. Through real-world examples and actionable strategies, participants will learn how to move from waiting for opportunities to actively creating them.
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Whether you're seeking your next promotion, looking to expand your responsibilities, or simply wanting to have a greater impact within your organization, this session will provide the tools and mindset shifts needed to take control of your career journey.

​Why It Fits the Conference
This session complements the other Growth & Impact topics by focusing on a challenge many women face throughout their careers: not a lack of talent, but a tendency to wait until they feel fully ready, fully qualified, or formally selected. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to become more visible, proactive, and intentional in shaping their future.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways:
  • Build influence and credibility at any level of an organization
  • Increase your visibility without feeling self-promotional
  • Advocate for opportunities, growth, and career advancement
  • Develop an ownership mindset that sets high performers apart
  • Create intentional momentum toward your next career goal
Leadership Reset Track – Session #1
Building Leaders from Within
How Benson's Restaurant Group Develops, Retains & Elevates Future Leaders
Lecture Hall
Session Description
Every hospitality leader wants a stronger leadership pipeline—but few organizations have a clear strategy for developing future leaders before they're needed.

Benson’s Restaurant Group has taken a deliberate approach to leadership development through its Emerging Leaders Program, designed to identify high-potential team members, provide meaningful growth opportunities, and prepare the next generation of hospitality leaders from within the organization.

In this interactive panel discussion, attendees will get an inside look at how the program was created, how participants are selected and developed, and the impact it has had on employee engagement, retention, succession planning, and leadership readiness. Through perspectives from company leadership, program mentors, and program graduates, this session will explore what it takes to create a culture where leadership development is intentional—not accidental.
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Whether you lead a single location or a multi-unit operation, you'll leave with practical ideas and proven strategies to help build stronger leaders, create growth opportunities, and strengthen your organization's future talent pipeline
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways:
  • Learn how to identify and develop high-potential employees before leadership gaps emerge
  • Discover practical ways to create meaningful leadership development opportunities at any size organization
  • Gain insight into how leadership development supports retention, engagement, and succession planning
  • Hear firsthand lessons and growth experiences from Emerging Leaders Program graduates
  • Walk away with ideas and frameworks that can be adapted within your own operation or organization
11:00 - 11:15 am
The Marketplace: Connect + Refresh
The conversations continue in the Marketplace — grab a bite and explore what’s new.
Grand Terrace
11:15 am - 12:00 pm
Growth & Impact Track – Session #2 
Connection Looks Different Now
Presented by: Jazmynn Appleton, Entrepreneur, Public Speaker & Life Coach
Lecture Hall​
Session Description
Networking, Communication, & People Skills
Connection looks different than it used to — especially in an industry shaped by social media, digital communication, fast-paced workplaces, and evolving expectations around professional relationships. For emerging hospitality professionals, building meaningful connections today requires more than simply exchanging business cards or growing a LinkedIn network.

In this session, Jazmyn Appleton explores how women in hospitality can build authentic relationships, communicate with confidence, and strengthen their professional presence in a rapidly changing world. Through real-world conversation and practical insight, attendees will learn how to navigate workplace dynamics, create genuine industry connections, and show up with greater confidence in both personal and professional interactions.
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Designed for emerging professionals and rising talent, this session focuses on the people skills that continue to matter most — connection, communication, confidence, and relationship-building — and how those skills are evolving for the next generation of hospitality professionals.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
  • Build authentic industry relationships — not just contacts
  • Communicate clearly and confidently with peers and leaders
  • Navigate difficult conversations and workplace dynamics
  • Strengthen professional presence and networking confidence
Leadership Reset Track – Session #2
​Accountability Conversations Leaders Avoid: How Strong Leaders Address Performance, Conflict & Tough Decisions
Presented by: Matt Meuleners, Executive Partner & Lead Instructor, Focus Training
Hall of Ideas​
Session Description
Discern the right approach to hold others accountable to their responsibilities and effectively navigate these difficult conversations.
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In instances where coaching and feedback fail to bridge the gap in an individual’s performance, leaders must be equipped to discern an effective course of action. The process of diagnosing and conducting accountability conversations is critical to performance management and developing talent. In this sessioin, we will explore the optimal approaches for holding people accountable, offering leaders a comprehensive toolkit designed to instill confidence and clarity in the planning and execution of accountability conversations.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways:
  • Lead difficult conversations with clarity and confidence
  • Hold people accountable without damaging trust
  • Navigate tension, emotion, and leadership discomfort
  • Build respect through consistency and communication
12:00 - 1:15 pm
Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch
Awards Celebration & Luncheon
Madison Ballroom
1:15 - 1:30 pm
The Marketplace: Connect + Refresh
The afternoon vibe starts here — get in some steps, reconnect, and see what’s happening in the Marketplace.
Grand Terrace
1:30 - 2:15 pm
Growth & Impact Track - #3
Leading Without Losing Yourself
Presented by: 
​Jodi Goldbeck, Entrepreneurship & Leadership Educator
Dr. Lynea LaVoy, Hospitality Leadership Professor
Lecture Hall
Session Description
​Hospitality leaders are often the ones holding everything together — supporting teams, solving problems, managing pressure, and showing up for everyone else long before they make time for themselves. But sustainable leadership requires more than resilience alone.
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This session explores the realities of emotional labor, burnout, boundaries, and leadership capacity in an industry that rarely slows down. Through honest conversation, practical strategies, and real-world hospitality experiences, attendees will learn how to protect their energy, lead with greater intention, and build long-term success without losing themselves in the process.

Designed for women navigating the constant demands of leadership, caregiving, and professional growth, this session offers a refreshing and empowering perspective on what sustainable leadership can actually look like in today’s hospitality industry.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways:
  • Recognize burnout before it escalates
  • Set healthier boundaries without guilt
  • Build confidence through action and experience
  • Focus energy on what’s actually controllable
  • Lead with greater self-awareness and sustainability
  • Strengthen your ability to show up effectively — personally and professionally
Leadership Reset Track – Session #3 
Work Smarter, Lead Better
Practical AI Strategies for Hospitality Leaders
Presented by:
Jennifer Ryan, CEO & Co-founder, Croux 
Hall of Ideas​
Session Description
AI is rapidly reshaping how hospitality businesses operate—but the greatest opportunity isn't the technology itself. It's how leaders use it to make better decisions, improve team performance, create efficiencies, and stay competitive in a changing industry.

Join hospitality technology strategist Jennifer Ryan of Croux and a hospitality executive from Hyatt Green Bay for a candid conversation about what hospitality leaders actually need to understand about AI right now. Through real-world examples from hotels, restaurants, and hospitality organizations, they'll explore where AI is delivering meaningful value, where human leadership remains irreplaceable, and how leaders can evaluate opportunities without getting distracted by hype.
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Designed for owners, executives, directors, and senior leaders, this session focuses on the strategic decisions leaders must make today to prepare their teams and organizations for tomorrow.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways:
  • Identify where AI is creating measurable value across operations, marketing, staffing, training, and guest experience. 
  • Learn how leading hospitality organizations are leveraging AI to reduce administrative workload and improve decision-making. 
  • Understand the leadership challenges that come with emerging technology, including team adoption, trust, and resistance to change. 
  • Evaluate AI opportunities through a business lens—distinguishing meaningful innovation from costly distractions. 
  • Leave with practical strategies to help your organization remain adaptable, competitive, and future-ready.
2:15 - 2:45 pm
The Marketplace: Connect + Refresh
Dessert, snacks, fresh experiences, and the perfect boost to keep the momentum going strong.
Grand Terrace
2:45 - 3:30 pm
Growth & Impact Track – Session #4 
The Career Conversations We Wish We Had Earlier: Real Lessons, Hard Truths & Career Advice from Hospitality Leaders
Moderator: Carissa Remitz, Director of Marketing & PR, Midwest Foods
Panelists: TBD
Lecture Hall
Session Description
There is no single path to success in hospitality—and some of the most valuable career lessons aren't learned in a classroom or training program. They're learned through experience.

In this candid and interactive panel discussion, accomplished women from across the hospitality industry will share the career conversations they wish they had earlier. From unexpected opportunities and difficult decisions to setbacks, confidence challenges, and pivotal career moments, panelists will offer honest insights into what helped them grow, lead, and succeed.
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Attendees will gain practical advice, fresh perspective, and real-world wisdom that can help them navigate their own careers with greater confidence and clarity—whether they're just getting started, stepping into leadership, or considering what's next.

​Discussion Topics May Include
  • The biggest career lesson I learned the hard way
  • A risk I took that changed everything
  • What I wish I knew earlier in my career
  • Navigating confidence, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt
  • Building relationships that open doors
  • Knowing when it's time to make a change
  • Defining success on your own terms

​This session would make a particularly strong final concurrent session because it feels reflective, inspirational, and highly relatable while still delivering practical value attendees can immediately apply.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
  • Learn lessons and career insights from experienced hospitality leaders
  • Gain practical advice for navigating growth, change, and new opportunities
  • Understand how successful leaders handled setbacks, challenges, and self-doubt
  • Explore ways to build confidence, visibility, and influence throughout your career
  • Leave with ideas and inspiration to take the next step in your professional journey
Leadership Reset Track – Session #4
Rethinking Growth: Building Career Paths That Work for Small Businesses
Presented by: Marla Poytinger & Erin Hochevar, Bars & Recreation Leadership
Hall of Ideas
Session Description
Small hospitality businesses, and small businesses in general, often feel at a disadvantage when it comes to career development. With limited management layers and fewer formal promotions, it can seem impossible to offer the kind of growth opportunities employees expect.

But what if the problem isn’t a lack of opportunity -- it’s how we define growth?

In this interactive session, Marla Poytinger and Erin Hochevar of Bars & Recreation will challenge the traditional “career ladder” mindset and introduce a practical, hospitality-specific framework for developing employees without relying on promotions or title changes. Drawing from real-world experience operating multiple venues and concepts, they will show how small teams can create meaningful, motivating growth paths that drive retention, performance, and engagement.
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Attendees will learn how to identify untapped growth opportunities within their own operations, from skill-building and project ownership to increased influence and measurable impact, and walk away with a simple, customizable tool to implement immediately with their teams.

This session is designed for restaurant and hospitality leaders who want to retain great people, build stronger teams, and offer real career growth -- without needing a corporate structure to do it.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
  • Reframe career growth beyond promotions and titles
  • Identify hidden growth opportunities within small hospitality teams
  • Learn a simple, repeatable framework for employee development
  • Leave with a draft “Growth Map” tailored to your business
  • Gain practical strategies to improve retention, engagement, and team performance
3:30 - 3:45 pm
The Marketplace: Connect + Refresh
One last Marketplace moment — make a connection, discover something new, and soak in the final vibes of the day.
Grand Terrace
3:45 - 4:30 pm
Closing General Session
TBA
Don’t leave early — the final keynote of the day is designed to inspire, challenge perspectives, and send you out on a high note. Speaker announcement coming soon.
​Madison Ballroom​
While hospitality brings us together, this experience goes far beyond the day-to-day.

This is where personal growth meets professional momentum—giving you the tools, confidence, and clarity to lead in every area of your life.

Sessions will focus on:
  • Strengthening leadership skills that make an impact 
  • Navigating growth while maintaining balance and well-being 
  • Building confidence and a take-charge mindset 
  • Tackling real-world challenges with practical strategies 

Expect a high-energy, immersive experience—where workshops, networking, and mentorship come together in a way that’s engaging, empowering, and genuinely fun.
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This isn’t just professional development.
It’s growth that shows up everywhere.
September 28, 2026  |  Monona Terrace, Madison
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