Featured Speakers

Most managers focus on “service.” Not Will Guidara. He focuses on wonder. As the visionary mastermind behind Eleven Madison Park, named the #1 restaurant in the world, he built a culture obsessed with creating extraordinary experiences. His bestselling book, Unreasonable Hospitality, has become a global movement, inspiring companies to turn everyday transactions into unforgettable moments. With humor, heart, and powerful real-world stories, he will show you how a mindset of generosity and intentionality can transform teams, customers, and entire organizations.

What can bankers learn from the man who negotiated with terrorists, kidnappers, and criminals around the globe? As the FBI’s former lead hostage negotiator, Chris Voss mastered the science of “tactical empathy” — powerful negotiating techniques that diffuse tension and build trust to achieve better outcomes. At the Forum 2026, he will show banking executives how to apply these proven communication skills and strategies to influence decisions, navigate difficult situations, and achieve breakthroughs in any situation.

Most ads suck. Mike Cessario turned that truth into a billion-dollar brand by making marketing that doesn’t feel like marketing at all. As the founder of Liquid Death, he’s proven how bold branding, humor, and a completely new approach to consumer engagement can disrupt even the most boring categories. Mike shows audiences how to cut through the noise, challenge conventions, and build passionate fans in a marketplace where attention is the ultimate currency.

In the heat of battle, average leaders freeze. Great ones take charge. From the cockpit of a Marine attack helicopter to the C-suite, no one knows the principles of fearless leadership better than Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour. As America’s first Black female combat pilot turned entrepreneur and bestselling author, she will show you what it takes to get gutsy, ditch excuses, and never look back, so you can inspire your team in moments of uncertainty and take bold action when the pressure is on.