Dan Thurmon is the author of two books, a renowned speaker and a recognized expert in delivering peak performances – on stage and in the workplace. As president of Motivation Works, Inc., he helps organizations and individuals implement action plans and move confidently through transitions.

Dan began his performance career at 11 years old, crafting a one-man-show incorporating comedy, juggling and acrobatics. This enabled him to, at a very early age, develop a strong work ethic and learn fundamental lessons about performance excellence. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in marketing and management. He has also extensively studied personal development and designed a unique methodology he teaches to audiences and clients.

Dan’s philosophy can be summarized by the title of his book, “Off Balance On Purpose.” He believes that we will never achieve “perfect balance” and should instead learn to embrace uncertainty and initiate positive changes that lead to growth. Also, we should go beyond the pursuit of “success” and enhance our life experiences and professional endeavors with purposeful, positive contributions.

September 9, 2006, started as a normal college football game in Neyland Stadium when a routine tackle turned into a life-threatening injury and changed Inky Johnson's life forever.

With his right arm paralyzed, Inky suffered through daily pain and had to accept that his dream of playing professional sports was gone. But Inky decided it would not crush his motivational spirit, and he set he sights on a different dream – to inspire those around him.

Inky mentors athletes and underprivileged youth, sharing his story and using his experience as fuel to inspire others that their dreams are attainable, even when faced with unpredictable obstacles.

Debbie Abergel is executive vice president of CA-based Top 40 distributor Jack Nadel Int'l. An industry veteran, Abergel manages a myriad of the company's initiatives, including its marketing, vendor relations, sales and overseas business. She is a recurring member of Counselor's exclusive Power 50 list.

Chris Anderson is the CEO of Top 40 supplier HUB Promotional Group, one of the fastest-growing firms in the market. Anderson is responsible for the day-to-day operations of HPG, whose portfolio of firms includes Hub Pen, Beacon, Best/Cooler Graphics, Debco, BCG, Origaudio and HandStands.

Dave Grobisen is vice president of sales for Counselor Top 40 supplier Polyconcept North America, whose 2018 sales were $654 million. In the industry for two decades, Grobisen is active on various committees and boards in the promo marketplace.

Norm is currently the Chief Executive Officer at alphabroder. With almost 16 years in the Promotional Apparel business, he's developed a passion for the entrepreneurial spirit of our Industry. He's a strong proponent of Team-driven, collaborative Management, and strives to build businesses based on a thorough understanding of the Customer. He believes in innovation - and that ideas can come from anywhere.

Karie Kaufmann, MBA, is the president and owner of Karie Kaufmann Consulting. For more than 15 years, she has coached over 1,000 businesses and high-performing executives to achieve greater levels of growth, leadership and profitability. Whether through keynote speaking, 1-on-1 coaching or facilitating strategic retreats, Coach Karie’s approach is insightful, practical and highly actionable.

Joan has been Axis’ Executive Vice-President for 15 years and leads its strategic Corporate Accounts. Holding many years of experience in consumer packaged goods and promotional marketing, Joan brings to Axis a true strategic marketing approach to campaign development and relationship-driven account management. In addition to leading Axis corporate teams, Joan mentors and guides Axis' key performers, and is an active speaker and member of the Women Presidents’ Organization and board member of Girls Inc. Westchester.

Noah Lapine is the President and an owner of Lapine www.lapineinc.com, a Consumer Engagement Agency. Lapine works with some of the world’s most recognized brands, connecting brand strategy with merchandise to enable transformative consumer engagement and drive powerful business results. By offering end-to-end solutions built on the innovative combination of meaningful insights, scalable technology, and quantifiable process efficiencies, Lapine has become an essential partner to the clients they serve.

Christl Mahfouz is the President & Chief Executive Officer of Ace Specialties, a Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, WBENC, certified business. Ace Specialties provides E-Commerce, Fulfillment, Marketing, Promotional and Political Solutions for clients around the USA. In June 2015, Christl took a chance on herself and pitched her merchandising and e-commerce services to the Donald J. Trump campaign team, winning the account. Since acquiring President Trump’s campaign-related business in 2015, Ace Specialties has continued to grow and flourish, adding clients and professional services left and right as market demands arise.

Florence Mosnier is the general manager of IPPAG: a leading international association of promotional products companies spread across 35 countries. The group brings together the best minds in the global promo industry on every continent, and strives to create synergies and unleash potential. In her position, Florence can offer insights plus an experienced and multicultural perspective on what makes companies successful throughout markets abroad and the challenges that lie ahead for the promo industry.

Thomas Prusa is a Professor of Economics at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey and also a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts. He received his PhD from Stanford University. He has published over 60 articles in leading journals and books.

For almost 30 years Professor Prusa’s research has focused on trade policy decision making by the U.S. International Trade Commission; his research has addressed all of the main statutes administered by the USITC, including anti-dumping, countervailing duty, global safeguards and Section 337.

Professor Prusa has lectured in conferences and seminars to the World Trade Organization, European Union, the World Bank, the Federal Reserve, the World Trade Institute, the CATO Institute, the American Enterprise Institute, United Nations, Stanford University, Princeton University, New York University and many others. Professor Prusa has provided expert testimony before the U.S. International Trade Commission on many occasions

Matt Soseman is a Security Architect based in San Diego, CA working with Microsoft partners and their customers to help them with reducing their cyber security risk. Matt has held multiple roles within Microsoft over the last 8 years in areas of Partner Marketing and Microsoft Consulting Services focused on Teamwork and Collaboration, Security, Enterprise Mobility and more. Prior to Microsoft, Matt delivered world class mobility consulting and training to Fortune 50 customers at BlackBerry and built business transforming solutions such as Unified Communications at Sprint.

Kenny Ved is the Vice President of Sales at Goldstar, headquartered in San Diego, CA. He started his career at Belding Sports in 1997. Four years later, he joined the Goldstar family and held the National Sales Manager position for 12 years. Kenny currently serves on the RAC Board & is the RAC Delegate for PMANC, currently holds a Board position, has attended L.E.A.D. in Washington, DC, for the past two years. As a respected industry sales leader, Ved is as forthright as he is talented and committed to the success of the promo market.