January 29-30, 2025 | Hotel Landy | Orlando, FL
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.
REGISTER HERE
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
Wednesday January 29, 2024
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 Welcome
12:40pm Frank W. Berkman Best of the Best Chapter Awards Celebration Lunch
2:15pm HSMAI & Industry Updates
Presented by Brian Hicks, President & CEO, HSMAI
2:45pm Case Studies for Chapter Success featuring HSMAI Chapters
Collaborate Session #1
4:10pm Networking break
4:30pm YOU Can Create Disney Magic Too…Lessons in Leadership, Management,
Culture and World Class Customer Service
Featuring: Lee Cockerell, Retired Executive VP of Walt Disney World
5:15pm-6:30pm Day One Wrap Up and Welcome Reception at Hotel Landy
6:30pm Free Night
CONFERENCE PROGRAM SCHEDULE: Day 2
Thursday January 30, 2025
7:45am-8:25am Breakfast & Networking Time
8:30am Welcome Back
Presented by Jenny Teeson
Hotel Landy Welcome Jason Johnson, Director of Sales
8:40am D.N.A. — Determination Needed Ahead
Presented by Lovell Casiero, SVP of Commercial Strategies, PM Hotel Group;
Board Member HSMAI Foundation
10:15am Networking Break
10:35am Leveraging the HSMAI Education Ecosystem
Presented by Juli Jones, CAE, CHBA, Senior Vice President, HSMAI
11:00am HSMAI Emerging Leaders Panel
Featuring HSMAI Rising Leader Council Members Tre Wilke IV and Luisa Laurelli
Moderated by Peter Ricci, EdD, Director, Hospitality & Tourism Management Program,
Florida Atlantic University
12:00pm Networking Lunch
12:45pm Case Studies for Chapter Success featuring HSMAI Chapters
Collaborate Session #2
2:15pm Inside the Hospitality Studio
Featuring Brian Hicks, President & CEO, HSMAI and Jeff Chase, Managing Director,
HSMAI Central Florida
3:00pm Networking Break
3:30pm Unlocking the Magic of Leadership – 5 Keys for Association Leaders to Inspire
Yourself, Empower Others and Drive Extraordinary Results Emilie Ballroom
Featuring by Summer Jelinek, Keynote Speaker and Former Walt Disney World Leader
& Disney Institute Facilitator
5:00pm Conference Wrap Up
5:30pm-7:30pm Closing Reception at Hotel Landy Courtyard
Registration Fees:
- Current Collegiate Presidents & Collegiate President Elect Members – Complimentary
- Current HSMAI Chapter Presidents, Chapter President Elects & Managing Director – $250
- All other current HSMAI Chapter Board Members, HSMAI Advisory Board Members, HSMAI Americas Board Members & HSMAI Foundation Board Members – $300
- Former Chapter, Advisory Board or Americas Board Members – $500
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 2026 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.
Lee Cockerell
Lee Cockerell retired as the Executive Vice President of Operations for the Walt Disney World® Resort.
Growing up in Oklahoma, Lee attended Oklahoma State University for two years before joining in the United States Army.
Lee’s career includes eight years with Hilton Hotels, seventeen years with Marriott International and sixteen years with The Walt Disney Company. Lee Joined Disney in 1990 as Director of Food and Beverage, Quality Assurance and Vice President of the hotel division for Disneyland Paris.
In 1993 Lee became the Senior Vice President of the hotel division at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida and in 1997 was promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations for all of Walt Disney World Operations, serving in that position for ten years before retiring to start his own business, Lee Cockerell, LLC., a training and development company.
Lovell Casiero
Lovell Casiero stands out as a distinguished figure in the corporate world, currently excelling in her role as the Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy. Lovell began her journey in the hospitality industry, showcasing an extraordinary ascent from a sales administrator to a senior executive position. Her professional path is marked by a consistent demonstration of strategic insight and leadership excellence.
Beyond her impressive trajectory in hospitality, Lovell took a significant detour to manage her family’s television ministry for a decade. During this period, she displayed remarkable business acumen and strategic planning skills, expanding the ministry’s reach from local stations to a global audience on prominent cable networks like BET. This achievement not only underlines her leadership prowess but also her capacity to drive growth and expand influence on a significant scale.
In the corporate sector, Lovell is renowned for her strategic thinking, her ability to drive commercial success, and her expertise in managing large-scale projects and teams. Her background in ministry adds a unique dimension to her corporate role, enabling her to blend ethical leadership with business strategies effectively.
Lovell is also an author and public speaker, her talks are filled with insights from her journey, resonating particularly with professionals seeking to balance personal values with corporate success. Her approach to leadership and personal development is pragmatic and relatable, often drawing on her personal challenges and triumphs to inspire and guide others.
Lovell’s story is one of versatility and resilience, embodying a spirit that thrives on challenges and is constantly seeking growth. Her corporate journey, marked by significant accomplishments and strategic leadership, continues to inspire many in the business world.
Summer Jelinek
Summer Jelinek is more than just a leadership expert. She’s a seasoned professional with a knack for transforming organizational chaos into a well-orchestrated symphony. As a leadership keynote speaker, trainer, and author, she’s spent over two decades honing her leadership skills, notably at Walt Disney World, the Disney Institute, H-E-B/Central Market, and even a ski resort. Summer’s true passion lies in connecting with global audiences, particularly those intrigued by the nuanced art of leadership.
Offstage, Summer is a Dallas-Fort Worth area, Texas resident, sharing her home with her supportive husband, their charming daughter, her quirky brother, and her two furry companions, Cricket and Adie, who might just have secret identities.
Academically, Summer boasts an MBA and a Leadership Certification from the HR.com #1-ranked master’s program at the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida and is currently studying for her Ph.D.
Hotel Landy is offering very special rate of $139.00 per night, plus tax. Room block cut off is December 31st.
Hotel Landy has extended the special room rate pre- & post-conference.
Book your room: https://book.passkey.com/go/hsmai2025
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.