HSMAI Mike Leven Leadership Conference

Who the event was designed for?

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

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

Meeting Dress Code: Business Casual

REGISTRATION POLICIES

**Registration details and policies applied to the March 2026 event**

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 confidentiality, antitrust 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.

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.

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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.

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Alexandra Kiladjian
LinkedIn

Owner & Founder, Aesthetically Nautral

Alexandra her own Content Creation & Social Media Management company dedicated to elevating your brand’s aesthetic to the next level. Her goal is to capture unique and creative content reflective of each of her client’s values and engages existing and new audiences.

 

 

 

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Melissa S. Maher

LinkedIn

Founder & CEO, Pinnacle Enterprises Group | Executive Coach | Author | Speaker
Melissa S. Maher is the Founder and CEO of Pinnacle Enterprises Group, a leadership advisory, executive coaching, and hospitality consulting firm partnering with senior leaders and organizations navigating growth, transformation, and high-stakes moments.

A former Expedia Group executive, Melissa brings decades of experience at the intersection of hospitality, travel technology, and commercial strategy. She previously served as Senior Vice President of the Global Partner Group, where she led commercial relationships with thousands of hotel partners worldwide, helping drive distribution strategy, revenue growth, and industry collaboration across Expedia’s global marketplace. She later served as Expedia’s first Chief Inclusion Officer, advancing the company’s commitment to building a more inclusive organization and industry, and her final role was Chief Marketing Officer, leading global marketing strategy and brand initiatives.

Today, Melissa works with executives and leadership teams to strengthen leadership presence, sharpen strategic communication, and lead with confidence in high-visibility environments. She is the bestselling author of Holding Your Own: Speaking, Acting, and Winning in the Business World.

Melissa earned both her Hotel Administration degree and MBA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and has been recognized as one of the 30 Influential Women in Hospitality by Hotel Management and among the 50 Most Influential People in Global Hospitality by the International Hospitality Institute.

View highlights from the 2026 HSMAI Mike Leven Leadership Conference