WIHC - Schedule - Wisconsin Restaurant Association

Schedule

October 20, 2025
Monona Terrace - Madison

While the hospitality industry serves as the common thread, we’re not talking about food and customer service here.

Instead, sessions will cover:

Leadership skill development
Achieving a healthy work-life balance
Motivation for that take-charge spirit
Strategies to tackle challenges in the professional world

This Conference will be a high-energy atmosphere of workshops, networking and mentorship… packed in with a whole lot of fun!

2024 Speakers

Check back soon for programming and schedule details!

2024 Schedule

8:15 am

Check-in

9:00 - 9:15 am

Opening Remarks
Kristine Hillmer, President & CEO, Wisconsin Restaurant Association
Exhibit Hall B

9:15 - 10:00 am

Opening Keynote
Grounded in Legacy: Cultivating Success Through Purposeful Leadership
Christine Specht, Chief Executive Officer, Cousins Subs
Exhibit Hall B

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10:00 - 10:15 am

Break
Grand Terrace

10:15 - 11:00 am

Leading Through Change and Ambiguity
Matt Meuleners, Executive Partner and Lead Instructor, Focus Training
Lecture Hall

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Selling Yourself Short? Understanding Imposter Syndrome
Deanne Phillips, CFP®, CDFA®, ABFP℠, Director of Client Learning and Development, Annex Wealth Management
Tom Parks, AIF, CRPS, Director of Retirement Plan Services at Annex Wealth Management
Hall of Ideas

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11:00 - 11:15 am

Break
Grand Terrace

11:15 am - 12:00 pm

Change Leadership in the Hospitality Industry
Panel Discussion
Featuring:

Krissy Kaminski Sigmund, Vice President, Chula Vista Resort
Citlali Mendieta-Ramos, Owner & Director of Special Events, Antigua Latin Inspired Kitchen & Antigua Catering & Events
Michelle Burmester, OpCo President, Performance Foodservice-La Crosse

Lecture Hall

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The Other Side of Busy: 5 Steps to Overcoming Overwhelm
Jenna Piché, Founder & Time Management Coach, First Light Coaching
Hall of Ideas

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12:00 - 12:15 pm

Break
Grand Terrace

12:15 - 1:30 pm

Keynote Luncheon
Serving Up Success: Pathways to Hospitality Leadership:
Michelle Korsmo, President and CEO National Restaurant Association, CEO National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and Kristine Hillmer, President & CEO, Wisconsin Restaurant Association and Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation
Exhibit Hall B

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20 Women to Watch
Celebration & Program

1:30 - 1:45 pm

Break
Grand Terrace

1:45 - 2:30 pm

Crafting Your Employer Brand: Attracting and Retaining Top Talent in Today's Competitive Market
CHART Panel Discussion
Featuring:

Moderator: Donna Herbel, Chief Igniter, Blue Phoenix Learning
Nikki Fuchs de Calderon, Senior Director of Training & Development, New Perspective Senior Living
Lisa Holloway, Director, Global Learning & Development, CKE Restaurant Holdings Inc

Lecture Hall

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Mastering Motivation
Matt Meuleners, Executive Partner and Lead Instructor, Focus Training
Hall of Ideas

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2:30 - 2:45 pm

Break
Grand Terrace

2:45 - 3:30 pm

Perspectives on Motivation in Hospitality
Panel Discussion
Featuring:

Lakisha Hunter "Chef K", Owner of That Jerk Spot/Rise Above the Ordinary
Barkha Limbu Daily, Owner & Chef, DAILY TACO, the cheel, the baaree
Dr. Lynea LaVoy, Faculty and Program Director of Hospitality Management, Madison College

Lecture Hall

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Coaching Emerging Leaders
Pamela Armstrong, Director of Talent Acquisition, Aparium Hotel Group
Hall of Ideas

3:30 - 3:45 pm

Break
Grand Terrace

3:45 - 4:30 pm

Closing Keynote Session:
Build Your Thoughtfully Fit® Core for Resilience and Results
Darcy Luoma, CEO and Founder of Darcy Luoma Coaching & Consulting
Exhibit Hall B

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4:30 - 5:30 pm

Social Hour
Grand Terrace

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October 20, 2025 | Monona Terrace, Madison

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