Sharon Gai is a culture fluid expert in AI, ecommerce and innovation. She helps organizations become agile disruptors in their industries so they can increase revenue and retain users. In her tenure at Alibaba, she advised brands and heads of state in crafting their digital strategy with programmatic marketing and AI. She has worked with TEDx, Singularity University, UBS, Deloitte, Walmart, LVMH, Nestle, Tetra Pak and Twilio. She is in the AAE list of Top Keynote Speakers in 2023. She is also one of 2024’s RETHINK Retail’s Top Retail Expert and a LinkedIn Top Voice in Public Speaking 2024.

Brett Sterenson is a twenty-seven year veteran of the industry, spending the last eighteen years as the proprietor of Hotel Lobbyists, a site selection firm based in the metro DC area.  Prior to that Brett worked for both Kimpton Hotels and Millennium Hotels.  Each year, his firm places nearly 500 meetings and events around the nation and around the globe.  He is a frequent contributor to SGMP having served on the local NATCAP chapter board, the Gilmer Institute of Learning and the National Board of Directors.  He’s most recently served as the Voice of God at the last four NECs.  Brett lives outside Washington, DC, is married and has a 12yr old son and 10yr old daughter.

Chris McLaughlin has over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry and is currently the Senior Director of National Sales for Aimbridge Hospitality, the largest third-party hotel management company in North America.  In this role, he is responsible for the strategic vision, growth, and management of the national sales team.

Currently, McLaughlin is the Chair of the NDTA’s (National Defense Transportation Association) National Lodging Committee and is an Education & Programming Trustee on SGMP’s (Society of Government Meeting Professionals) Sam Gilmer Institute of Learning.  Notably, McLaughlin recently served for eight (8) years as an officer on SGMP’s National Board of Directors from July 2017 – June of 2025, in the capacities of National Treasurer (2017-2021) and Vice President (2021-2025).

Mike is a 35-year veteran of the hotel industry.  After graduating from Michigan State University’s Hospitality Business Program, he began his career in Chicago opening the Stouffer Riviere Hotel.  He then moved to new positions with IHG and Marriott including restaurant manager, sales manager, front office, and Director of Housekeeping.  Returning to Michigan, Mike held the General Manager position at a hotel that was awarded 4 Federal Lodging Contracts encompassing, rooms, food and beverage, and transportation. 

Mike then moved into Federal Contracting specializing in Lodging Contracts.  For the past 9 years, Mike has worked to secure over 40 multi-year contracts for our hotel partners by negotiating competitive room rates, writing proposals, and preparing properties for Federal operational inspections. 

Lisa Ryan is a workplace culture expert, author of multiple books including Gear Up for Greatness, and the creator of the Six Gears of Grategy® framework. She has delivered more than 1,000 presentations, helping leaders attract and retain top talent by creating environments where employees feel valued, appreciated, and engaged. As host of The Manufacturers’ Network podcast, Lisa has interviewed over 200 industry professionals, sharing insights and strategies that inspire action and drive results.

Courtney Zgraggen is the Vice President of Madison Avenue Incorporated, where she leads the company’s sales and marketing strategy, product development, and customer experience for signage and branding solutions in the meetings and events industry.

While pursuing her MBA in Marketing at the University of Indianapolis, Courtney worked as a Convention Operations Assistant for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), gaining hands-on experience in event operations and logistics. That role sparked her interest in the meetings and events industry and laid the foundation for her career at Madison Avenue, where she began in 2011. With over 13 years of experience in the industry, she has developed a deep expertise in signage strategy, branding, and client service. Through her work consulting with clients, she focuses on delivering creative and cost-effective branding solutions by helping event professionals bring their vision to life without exceeding their budgets.

Building on that foundation, she brings a strategic and solutions-focused mindset to her current role at Madison Avenue. From helping clients identify the right signage for their goals to developing solutions that prioritize both impact and sustainability, Courtney is focused on delivering high-performing branding that meets the evolving needs of event professionals. She has been instrumental in advancing Madison Avenue’s eco and budget-friendly offerings and continues to work closely with planners, agencies, and corporate teams nationwide to bring their event visions to life.

As artificial intelligence reshapes the work of government, staffers face new and often unclear ethical challenges. How can meeting professionals help them navigate this uncharted territory with clarity and integrity? Bruce Weinstein, Ph.D., is a Forbes contributor and nationally recognized speaker on ethical leadership and the responsible use of AI in both the public and private sectors. He has worked with the U.S. military, Fortune 500 companies, and government agencies at all levels. His companies—The Ethics Guy, LLC and The Institute for High-Character Leadership, Inc.—are registered federal vendors, and his AI ethics courses have been taken by over 19,000 professionals worldwide.

In Navigating Ethical Boundaries in Government Meetings: Leading with Integrity in the Age of AI, Bruce equips meeting professionals with practical strategies to help staffers meet emerging ethical challenges and lead with confidence in an AI-driven world.

Andy Masters, MA, CSP is an award-winning author and international speaker who has presented over 1,000+ programs for 250,000+ attendees in 47 states--including as keynote speaker for many Government conferences and events.  Andy has earned the prestigious CSP award of the National Speakers Association (NSA), the highest international recognition for professional speakers, achieved by less than 10% of over 5,000+ speakers worldwide. Andy has written 5 books and earned 4 degrees, including a B.A.—Political Science from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and an M.A.—Human Resources Development from Webster University in Missouri.  His latest book is titled “Things LEADERS Say: A Daily Guide to Help Every Leader Empower & Inspire.” Andy has been featured on PBS, Investor’s Business Daily, and Leadership Excellence magazine.  For more info, topics, and schedule availability, please visit https://andy-masters.com (Click on Government).