HSMAI Mike Leven Leadership Conference

March 17-18, 2026 | Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel | Los Angeles, CA

The HSMAI Mike Leven Leadership Conference is an exclusive, invitation only event for chapter leaders in the Americas Region hosted by HSMAI and supported by the Michael and Andrea Leven Foundation to say a very sincere thank you. Gather with fellow chapter leaders to learn, celebrate, connect, and share. The conference is a mix of keynote speakers, collaborative working sessions, and roundtable discussions.
Special thanks to our 2026 Influence Partner – marketing agency Ideas Collide.

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Who should attend?

Chapter Presidents & Managing Directors (if applicable) are required to attend per the chapter assessment report (CAR). All current chapter board members and leadership volunteers are welcome.

The chapter typically pays the transportation and hotel costs for the chapter president, president-elect, and the managing director.

Meeting Dress Code: Business Casual

CONFERENCE PROGRAM SCHEDULE:  

Day 1: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 


8:00am – 11:30am     Presidents/Managing Directors Meeting
                                        **Invite only for current Presidents, President Elects & Managing Directors

12:00pm                       Registration Opens

12:30pm                       Conference Opening & Networking Lunch

1:30pm                           Level Up Your Leadership Game
                                         Presented by Adam Burke, President & CEO, LA Tourism

2:30pm                          HSMAI & Industry Updates
                                         Presented by Brian Hicks, President & CEO , HSMAI

3:00pm                         Refresh & Connect Break 

3:30pm                         HSMAI Membership Workshop
                                        Facilitated by Bree Brostko, VP Marketing & Communications, HSMAI

4:30pm                         Frank W. Berkman Best of the Best Chapter Awards

5:30pm                        Welcome Reception at Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles

6:30pm                         Open Evening to Explore 

CONFERENCE PROGRAM SCHEDULE: Day 2  

Wednesday March 18, 2026


7:45am                        Networking Breakfast with Chapter Leaders & HSMAI Americas Board

8:30am                       Welcome Back                    

8:45am                       Chapter Success Showcase featuring HSMAI Chapters

9:30am                       Capture the Moment, Grow the Crowd: Photo + Video Storytelling for Chapter Events

10:15am                      Refresh & Connect Break

10:45am                     Leadership Collaborate Session

11:30am                      The Leadership Multiplier: 3 Keys to Leading Smarter
                                    Presented by Alain Hunkins, Leadership Keynote Speaker, Author of Cracking the Leadership Code, Forbes Contributor

 12:45pm                 Networking Lunch

1:30pm                    Chapter Success Showcase featuring HSMAI Chapters

1:45pm                      HSMAI Mentor Program & HSMAI Foundation Update
                                  Presented by Renee Blessing, Program Manager, HSMAI & Kristin Miodonski, Executive Director,  HSMAI Foundation   

2:30pm                    Ask me Anything: HSMAI Americas Board  

3:30pm                     Refresh & Connect Break

4:00pm                    Closing Keynote

5:15pm                      Conference Wrap Up

5:30pm-8:00pm     Closing Reception

Registration Fees:

  • Current Collegiate Presidents & Collegiate President Elect Members – Complimentary
  • Current HSMAI Chapter Presidents, Chapter President Elects & Managing Director – $300
  • All other current HSMAI Chapter Board Members, HSMAI Advisory Board Members, HSMAI Americas Board Members & HSMAI Foundation Board Members – $375
  • Former Chapter, Advisory Board or Americas Board Members – $500

Register now!

REGISTRATION POLICIES

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations received four weeks prior to the conference will receive a full refund less a $50 administrative fee. Cancellations received between four and one week out are entitled to a 50% refund, or 100% roll-over to the 2027 conference. Cancellations received within one week will not be refunded, except in the case of a medical emergency (including if you are required to isolate due to covid exposure). The transferring of a registration to a fellow HSMAI Chapter Board Leader and must be requested in writing. All cancellations and transfers must be submitted in writing to mandie.hart@hsmai.org and jenny.teeson@hsmai.org.

Confirmation

If you register online, you will immediately receive an electronic confirmation of your registration. If you faxed, mailed, or called in your registration and have not received a confirmation within 10 business days, please contact mandie.hart@hsmai.org.

Consent to Use of Photographic Images

Registration and attendance at, or participation in, HSMAI meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to the use and distribution of the registrant or attendees’ image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions and audiotapes of such events and activities by HSMAI. 

Corporate Confidentiality, Antitrust Guidelines, & Code of Conduct

Attendees at HSMAI’s events must agree to follow HSMAI’s statement on corporate confidentialityantitrust guidelines, and code of conduct.

Special Accommodations

HSMAI is committed to providing access to all individuals attending the conference. Those needing any special accommodations (e.g., sign-language interpretation or large-type print materials) should email Jenny Teeson.

Adam Burke

LinkedIn

Adam Burke serves as President & CEO of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, the official, non-profit tourism promotion organization for the City of Angels. With its mission to “improve the quality of life for all Angelenos through the economic and community benefits of tourism,” Los Angeles Tourism is proud to represent over 1,000 Member businesses across the local travel & tourism sector, which is one of the region’s largest contributors to employment, business sales, and tax revenues.

With more than 30 years of travel & tourism industry experience, Burke previously served as Senior Vice President, Customer Loyalty for Hilton Worldwide with global management responsibility for the award-winning Honors customer loyalty program. He joined Los Angeles Tourism in 2016 as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer.

Burke is actively engaged in advocating for the nation’s tourism sector and has been appointed by the U.S. Department of Commerce to serve on the United States Travel & Tourism Advisory Board. He also represents the U.S. as a Vice Chair of the World Tourism Alliance, in addition to serving on the Executive Committee of the Destinations International Foundation.

Locally, Burke serves on the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, and the Board of Directors of the CalTravel Foundation, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and Sister Cities of Los Angeles, as well as the Advisory Board of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission.


Alain Hunkins

LinkedIn

Alain Hunkins is a leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and author of the bestselling book Cracking the Leadership Code: Three Secrets to Building Strong Leaders. He helps leaders strengthen how they connect, communicate, and collaborate to drive performance, alignment, and customer experience.

Over the past 25 years, Alain has partnered with global organizations, associations, and service-driven brands to build high-performing cultures where leadership behavior directly impacts employee engagement and guest loyalty. His work focuses on breaking down silos, strengthening cross-functional alignment, and helping commercial teams lead with clarity in fast-moving, customer-centric environments.

A contributor to Forbes, Alain writes on leadership, workplace culture, and the future of work. Known for his engaging style and practical tools, he equips hospitality leaders with actionable strategies to lead smarter, build trust faster, and create team cultures that translate into stronger service and business results.

Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel is offering very special rate of $149.00 – $169.00 per night, plus tax. Room block cut off is February 16, 2026.

Click here to book your room

 

** Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel have extended the special room rate pre & post conference.

Please see this prospectus for partnership opportunities and contact partnership@hsmai.org with questions.

Organizational Member Company Partners & Their Resources for Chapters

Chapter leaders have the opportunity to leverage the expertise of our organizational members. These partners bring valuable industry knowledge and insights, and as a benefit of their membership, they can propose topics for presentations and engagement ideas tailored to chapters.  Collaborating with our partners can help enhance chapter’s programming, provide meaningful resources to members, and strengthen connections across the HSMAI network in the Americas Region.

HSMAI 2024 Leadership Conference – Partner Program Directory

These resources will be updated periodically throughout the year as Organizational Member companies share updates.