Keynotes

Opening Keynote - Heather Penny, PhD, Leadership Coach - The Whole Leader

What kind of leader do you want to be known for? Would others describe you as someone with clear vision? Are you a leader who confidently decides what's best and has the courage to execute hard choices? In today's business culture, it can be challenging to balance all the necessary skills to not only be effective but to encourage each team member's potential. Great leaders take a holistic approach to living and leading by addressing the body, mind, heart, and spirit. We can't ask our team members to conduct themselves in ways we ourselves aren't willing to model. Learn the value of RESTorative Rest, the power of a positive response, and ways to discover what is holding us back. Are you living the life you were made to live? Decide today to reach your fullest potential while leading others into the life they are uniquely made for.

Closing Keynote – Tommy Tanous, Vice President of Amateur and International Scouting, New York Mets - Leadership with Humor

Tommy Tanous has been with the NY Mets since 2010, when he began as a special assignment scout. A native of Massachusetts, Tanous played baseball at the American International College from 1990 to 1991 and broke into baseball in 1996 as an area scout. After that, he joined the Rangers in 2003, before leaving to be a Blue Jays’ national cross-checker from 2004 to 2010. Since taking over draft duties in 2012, Tanous has snagged several top prospects and All-Stars in the draft and is widely respected for his ability to find undervalued talent. He has a long track record in player development and brings his philosophy of how to lead through humor as the closing keynote.

Merchandising Track

Nicole Riehle Leinbach - The Path to Purchase: What Every Golf Merchant Needs to Know

Customers vary across each generation when it comes to making purchasing decisions. From the factors that persuade their purchases to their preferences in payment choices to how they like to engage with store associates to brand loyalty and more, there is a lot to consider. Join globally recognized retail thought leader and Author of the book “Retail 101: The Guide to Managing & Marketing Your Retail Business” Nicole Leinbach as she reveals the realities of today’s consumer habits, purchase decisions and ways merchants can better optimize their stores to meet customer expectations. This 50 minute session will unveil the path to purchase across each generation and offer actionable insight for attendees to apply to their unique businesses right away. Expect to gain real-time insight on retail trends, technology that can support your business, marketing strategies that actually work and much, much more. Plus, bring your questions! Leinbach will conclude this session with an attendee Q&A.

Amy Wister – Apparel By Body Type – How to Optimize Your Merchandise

Just because it's in your size doesn't mean it looks good on your figure. This is the frustration of your in store and online shoppers. Join Amy Wister, CEO of RevShopp, creator of the Body Shape Intelligence Platform and discover how to optimise your merchandise assortment for six critical female body types. Her interactive and igniting session will leave you with the tools to create a shopping experience that is figure flattering and golf ready!

Mike Johnson & Mike Stachura - Behind the Scenes of the Golf Digest Hot List

After sorting through more than 1,000 different club models, Golf Digest Equipment Editors Mike Stachura and Mike Johnson will give you a sneak peek behind the scenes to what goes into their most-read issue of the year, The Hot List. Attendees will learn about their process, including working with some celebrity player panelists this year during testing.

Management Track

Whitney Pennell Reid - Defining, Managing & Recognizing Burnout

Employee burnout is increasing and putting a strain on our well-being and workplace satisfaction. Aside from the negative effect burnout and stress have on our health, it also takes a toll at work when you find yourself with lower interest and energy but aren’t sure where to turn. It’s time to take action! Learn what burnout is, why it’s happening, what causes it, and how you can improve communication with your team to create a “well” workforce.

Guatam Patankar – Creating a Culture that Attracts and Retains Employees in Today’s Labor Market

Although the word culture is generally perceived as positive, it can also be negative depending on how the organization’s key leaders operate. For any organization to provide a culture that is employee-centric, they must ask themselves a few key questions. First, do our leaders truly understand how to be leaders? Second, do our leaders understand the true value that the frontline team plays in the organization and its economics? Third, does our frontline team truly understand their importance in the organization and how they move the economics? And finally, do we really understand the difference between being the business of choice versus being the employer of choice? In this session, you will learn how to build a positive, employee-first environment and how moving the bottom line starts with culture.

Michael Leemhuis – Shaping Your Personal Future: Characteristics and Traits of SUCCESSFUL Golf Industry Leaders

What are the characteristics of great golf industry leaders? This is a question on many minds of influential people in the golf industry and on the minds of private clubs/corporate Board members that are looking to hire the best professional leaders for their club/businesses. Are these learned characteristics or do you have to have them firmly entrenched in your DNA? Is it just about working harder? Is it about putting in more time than the next person? In this education session you will learn the truth about the traits & characteristics and how one can develop and hone the skills needed, to allow you to become one of the really successful present and future Golf Industry leaders.

Sustainability Panel – Moderated by Nicole Riehle Leinbach – Featuring TASC, Galvin Green, RADMOR

Today's consumers are demanding brands step up to create fashion that meets both our current needs and allows future generations to thrive. In this panel discussion, learn how innovative brands are shaping the golf fashion industry to address the 3 pillars to sustainability - economic viability, environmental protection, and social equity.