Keynote Speakers
Keynote Presentation
Forecasting in the Fog of Uncertainty - 2025-26 Economy and Markets
Speaker: Rich Karlgaard
Mon., Oct. 27 | 8:00 a.m. PT
What is the likely outcome of President Trump’s tariffs – both in the coming months and for the remainder of his administration? Are investor fears overblown? Is a recession now likely, and if so, which industries and regions will it hit hardest? Will lawsuits challenging the president’s tariff authority succeed? What strategies are smart companies using to grow and thrive amidst all this uncertainty? Will tariffs hold back or accelerate AI’s “shock-transformation” of business?
How will the U.S. economy in 2025-26 shape the elections in 2026? From his vantage point as former Forbes publisher and now futurist and American commentator for Forbes Asia, Rich has interviewed some of the top business and global leaders of our time. He shares his business and financial outlook for 2025 and beyond. Called “The Navigator to the Future” by the late Harvard Business School professor, Clayton Christensen, Rich charts a best course of action for your business and industry.
Rich Karlgaard
ABOUT RICH KARLGAARD
Rich Karlgaard is one of the world’s leading voices on innovation, technology, and the future of business. As the longtime Publisher and Futurist at Forbes and now a columnist for Forbes Asia, Rich Karlgaard brings a rare blend of visionary insight and real-world business savvy.
Drawing on decades of experience he cuts through today’s chaos and uncertainty to help businesses adapt and thrive in an increasingly complex global marketplace.
Capstone Presentation
Innovation & Change Management
Speaker: Ross Shafer
Wed., Oct. 29 | 11:00 a.m. PT
Learn from six-time Emmy Award-winning comedian, network TV host, and best-selling business author, Ross Shafer, how to future-proof your company during this wildly entertaining presentation. Get solid ideas on how to create instant rapport for building solid relationships (based upon the proven tactics of TV talk show hosts). Ross encourages you to accept that relevance is a moving target. Securing your growth in this ever-evolving, post-pandemic economy requires the vigilance to respond to constant changes in client expectations. Ross unveils inspiring case studies that span the landscape of retail, manufacturing, B2B, HVAC, construction, technology, and healthcare.
ROSS SHAFER
ABOUT ROSS SHAFER
Ross Shafer has bought and sold 23 different businesses—a profitable hobby he started at the age of 21. By 30, he had ventured into a different kind of business…show business, collecting (6) Emmy awards as a Comedian, Writer, and TV Host of such shows as The Match Game on ABC; The Late Show on FOX; Love Me, Love Me Not on USA; and Almost Live on NBC.
And, because Ross is obsessed with who succeeds and who fails, he’s chronicled his findings in (10) popular business books on motivation, resilience, relevance, and the customer experience.
BUT, he is most proud of his best-selling cookbook… Cook – Like – A – Stud: 38 Recipes Men Can Prepare in the Garage… Using Their Own Tools!