This immersive summit, presented in partnership with Sunland Logistics Solutions, explores how intentional culture design and leadership practices directly influence engagement, innovation and organizational performance. Designed for leaders responsible for shaping how work gets done, this experience examines why culture is critical to workforce success, how leadership behaviors create psychologically safe environments and how process discipline sustains innovation over time.
The day will open with our keynote speaker, Rick Allen of Rick Allen Consulting group. With a career spanning nearly 40 years at Walt Disney World, Rick held senior leadership roles across resort operations, hotel openings, and park management, including serving as General Manager of EPCOT’s Future World. He served as General Manager for nine Disney resort hotels, including Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s All-Star Resorts, and was part of multiple opening teams, including the Grand Floridian and Art of Animation. He also led room operations for 27 Walt Disney World resorts and supported the opening of Disneyland Paris. After retiring from Disney, Rick held executive leadership roles with Give Kids The World and the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. Today, Rick is Principal of the Rick Allen Consulting Group, sharing world-class guest experience insights with organizations across hospitality, education, and events.
Following our keynote, a discussion on the purpose and importance of cultivating leadership, culture and innovation in your organization will be had. Current research and real-world case studies will be shared for an engaging and interactive experience for attendees.
Following the opening conversation, a panel discussion on journey exploration will feature:
Wrap up the morning with a fireside chat featuring a real-world case study on the impact of culture and innovation.
The afternoon will focus an active participatory experience of Design Thinking using the Center for Innovative Leadership Framework. Come with your own leadership challenges and an open mind as you’ll have the opportunity to wonder how might we solve this problem?
Center for Innovative Leadership
F25-26
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Thursday 8:30am 4:30pm America/New_York
8:30-9:00 am–Networking
9:00-9:45 am–Keynote Culture Tails: Creating a Culture for Excellence
9:45-10:00 am–Break
10:00-11:30 am–Panel: Exploring the Turnaround
11:30-11:45am–Break
11:45 am-12:15 pm–Fireside Chat: The Impact
12:15-1:00 pm–Lunch
1:00-4:30 pm–Design Thinking with CIL Leadership Framework
4:30-5:30 pm–Social Networking Event
Spring 2026 Dates: April 13, 2026
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