Past Schwebel Lecture Speakers

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Past Schwebel Lecture Speakers

Curious who’s taken the Schwebel stage?

Check out our speaker database to explore the pros, innovators and big names who’ve shared their stories.

2021: How to Thrive, Not Just Survive!

Inspiring Stories from Hospitality Experts. In a special virtual edition of the Schwebel Lecture Series, hospitality leaders shared how they navigated and succeeded during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers included Michael Guerriero of Digitell Inc., Nate Giesen of JACK Entertainment, Donniella Winchell of the Ohio Wine Producers Association, and Richard LaRocca of Beechmont Country Club. From digital event innovation to VIP guest experiences, wine tourism and private club management, each expert offered valuable insights into adapting with creativity and resilience. Their stories highlighted the power of strong leadership and flexibility in achieving success—even during the most uncertain times.

2021: How to Thrive, Not Just Survive!

Inspiring Stories from Hospitality Experts. In a special virtual edition of the Schwebel Lecture Series, hospitality leaders shared how they navigated and succeeded during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers included Michael Guerriero of Digitell Inc., Nate Giesen of JACK Entertainment, Donniella Winchell of the Ohio Wine Producers Association, and Richard LaRocca of Beechmont Country Club. From digital event innovation to VIP guest experiences, wine tourism and private club management, each expert offered valuable insights into adapting with creativity and resilience. Their stories highlighted the power of strong leadership and flexibility in achieving success—even during the most uncertain times.

2021: How to Thrive, Not Just Survive!

Inspiring Stories from Hospitality Experts. In a special virtual edition of the Schwebel Lecture Series, hospitality leaders shared how they navigated and succeeded during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers included Michael Guerriero of Digitell Inc., Nate Giesen of JACK Entertainment, Donniella Winchell of the Ohio Wine Producers Association, and Richard LaRocca of Beechmont Country Club. From digital event innovation to VIP guest experiences, wine tourism and private club management, each expert offered valuable insights into adapting with creativity and resilience. Their stories highlighted the power of strong leadership and flexibility in achieving success—even during the most uncertain times.

More Inspiring Voices

2017: Karim Kalifa

As Senior Vice President of Marriott Global Design Strategies, Karim leads a dynamic, multidisciplinary team on a mission to shape more meaningful and relevant travel experiences for Marriott guests through design. In 2012, Karim’s goal was to understand and address the new millennial generation for the Marriott Hotels brand. This deep dive approach was a perfect match for launching Marriott’s innovation lab (The Underground), an underground collaborative design space where guest driven research comes to life—including the new award-winning design strategy for Marriott’s flagship Marriott Hotels brand. The same approach was leveraged to rapidly accelerate the launch of the new lifestyle budget brand Moxy for Europe, and now the US, as well as the import of the fashionable AC Hotel brand to the United States.

2016: Rick Doody

In 1992, Rick Doody, his brother Chris Doody and their executive chef Phil Yandolino opened their first restaurant – Bravo Cucina Italiana – in Columbus, Ohio. The BBRG has grown to include more than 115 Bravo and Brio Tuscan Grille restaurants throughout the United States, with over 11,000 employees and over 17 million guests per year. Doody is a member of the Young President’s Organization and the International Council of Shopping Center Owners and is a board member for the Cleveland Restaurant Association.

2015: Jacob Tomsky

Jacob Tomsky is a hotel industry expert who has been in the business for over a decade. Global Gurus noted him as one of the “World’s Top 30 Hospitality Professionals for 2014.” Tomsky’s vast experience in hotels has allowed him to work through all the ups and downs of the service industry. Pulling from his real-life experiences, Tomsky amuses readers with his tales of various positions from serving as front desk man, valet parker, sheet folder and more. Readers are presented to a full spectrum of hotel workings, from the inside and outside views.

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