Speakers & Moderators
Meet Our KEYNOTE Speakers
Please note that session descriptions and speakers are subject to change.
Noelle Russell CEO, AI Leadership Institute
Noelle Russell is a multi-award-winning speaker, author, and AI Executive who specializes in transforming businesses through strategic AI adoption. She is a revenue growth + cost optimization expert, 4x Microsoft Responsible AI MVP, and named the #1 Agentic AI Leader in 2025. She has led teams at NPR, Microsoft, IBM, AWS and Amazon Alexa, and is a consistent champion for Data and AI literacy and is the founder of the "I ❤️ AI" Community teaching responsible AI for everyone.
She is the founder of the AI Leadership Institute and empowers business owners to grow and scale with AI. In the last year, she has been named an awardee of the AI and Cyber Leadership Award from DCALive, the #1 Thought Leader in Agentic AI and a Top 10 Global Thought Leader in Generative AI by Thinkers360.
Noelle Russell
CEO, AI Leadership Institute
Noelle Russell is a multi-award-winning speaker, author, and AI Executive who specializes in transforming businesses through strategic AI adoption. She is a revenue growth + cost optimization expert, 4x Microsoft Responsible AI MVP, and named the #1 Agentic AI Leader in 2025. She has led teams at NPR, Microsoft, IBM, AWS and Amazon Alexa, and is a consistent champion for Data and AI literacy and is the founder of the "I ❤️ AI" Community teaching responsible AI for everyone.
She is the founder of the AI Leadership Institute and empowers business owners to grow and scale with AI. In the last year, she has been named an awardee of the AI and Cyber Leadership Award from DCALive, the #1 Thought Leader in Agentic AI and a Top 10 Global Thought Leader in Generative AI by Thinkers360.
Professor Kaye Chon Dean, School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Chair, Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation
Professor, International Hospitality Management, School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Kaye Chon, an international speaker and author and editor of more than 12 books, including an internationally used hospitality and tourism textbook, previously held academic positions at the University of Houston, the University of Nevada, and Virginia Tech. Under Chon’s leadership, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University has risen to one of the world’s leading hospitality and tourism management institutions, ranked the world’s best for five consecutive years by the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. He is currently the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing and the Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research. Chon is the 2011 recipient of the Ulysses Prize from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.
Professor Kaye Chon
Dean, School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Chair, Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation
Professor, International Hospitality Management, School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Kaye Chon, an international speaker and author and editor of more than 12 books, including an internationally used hospitality and tourism textbook, previously held academic positions at the University of Houston, the University of Nevada, and Virginia Tech. Under Chon’s leadership, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University has risen to one of the world’s leading hospitality and tourism management institutions, ranked the world’s best for five consecutive years by the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. He is currently the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing and the Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research. Chon is the 2011 recipient of the Ulysses Prize from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.
Professor Greg Clark, CBE FAcSSWriter. Board Chair. Senior Advisor. Speaker, Host, & Podcaster.
Greg Clark is a writer, board chair, and advisor on cities, transport, built environment, and place leadership. Author of 10 books and 100 reports, he has worked with 400 cities around the world. He is expert advisor on the BBC World Service Series, My Perfect City, co-author of The Planet of Cities column for RICS, and co-host of The DNA of Cities and The Century of Cities podcasts.
He is Chair of the Connected Places Catapult (CPC), the UK’s national innovation accelerator for transport, cities, and place leadership, and Chair of the Cities Commission for Climate Investment (3Ci) which convenes city leaders and urban investors to find innovative means to capitalise decarbonisation. He is a board member of Transport for London (TfL), and chairs TfL’s Land and Property Committee, which oversees TfL’s property company: Places for London, and is a member TfL’s Finance Committee. He was previously a member of the TfL Committee for Crossrail/Elizabeth Line and chair of TfL’s Investment Committee.
He is a Senior Advisor on Global Cities & Urban Innovation at New London Architecture, and Honorable Professor of Cities and Innovation at Strathclyde University. Globally, Greg is an Honorable Global Fellow at the Urban Land Institute (ULI). He is former chair of the OECD LEED Forum of Cities and Regions (1996-2016) and former Global Fellow on cities and economic development at the Brookings Institution. He has advised the World Bank, European Investment Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and the HSBC Group on cities, economic development, sustainability, and financial innovation. He is currently working the Inter-American Development Bank on the economic future of the cities of the Amazon, where 47,000,000 people live.
Professor Greg Clark, CBE FAcSS
Writer. Board Chair. Senior Advisor. Speaker, Host, & Podcaster.
Greg Clark is a writer, board chair, and advisor on cities, transport, built environment, and place leadership. Author of 10 books and 100 reports, he has worked with 400 cities around the world. He is expert advisor on the BBC World Service Series, My Perfect City, co-author of The Planet of Cities column for RICS, and co-host of The DNA of Cities and The Century of Cities podcasts.
He is Chair of the Connected Places Catapult (CPC), the UK’s national innovation accelerator for transport, cities, and place leadership, and Chair of the Cities Commission for Climate Investment (3Ci) which convenes city leaders and urban investors to find innovative means to capitalise decarbonisation. He is a board member of Transport for London (TfL), and chairs TfL’s Land and Property Committee, which oversees TfL’s property company: Places for London, and is a member TfL’s Finance Committee. He was previously a member of the TfL Committee for Crossrail/Elizabeth Line and chair of TfL’s Investment Committee.
He is a Senior Advisor on Global Cities & Urban Innovation at New London Architecture, and Honorable Professor of Cities and Innovation at Strathclyde University. Globally, Greg is an Honorable Global Fellow at the Urban Land Institute (ULI). He is former chair of the OECD LEED Forum of Cities and Regions (1996-2016) and former Global Fellow on cities and economic development at the Brookings Institution. He has advised the World Bank, European Investment Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and the HSBC Group on cities, economic development, sustainability, and financial innovation. He is currently working the Inter-American Development Bank on the economic future of the cities of the Amazon, where 47,000,000 people live.
SANCTUMMindful Connections Beyond Networking
Sanctum is a transformative movement experience designed to empower the body and expand the mind. Blending high-intensity physical expression with mindful awareness, Sanctum guides participants to their physical edge while unlocking emotional release and mental clarity.
Rooted in the belief that the body is a gateway to the mind, Sanctum helps individuals self-regulate, release stress, and break through personal blocks.
Some experiences change the way you think, move, and lead. This is one of them.
SANCTUM
Mindful Connections Beyond Networking
Sanctum is a transformative movement experience designed to empower the body and expand the mind. Blending high-intensity physical expression with mindful awareness, Sanctum guides participants to their physical edge while unlocking emotional release and mental clarity.
Rooted in the belief that the body is a gateway to the mind, Sanctum helps individuals self-regulate, release stress, and break through personal blocks.
Some experiences change the way you think, move, and lead. This is one of them.
Christian BasonCo-founder of Transition Collective, Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney, and Leader in Residence at Copenhagen Business School.
Christian Bason is a leading voice at the intersection of innovation, design, and public leadership. He is Co-founder of Transition Collective, Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney, and Leader in Residence at Copenhagen Business School. With a career spanning over two decades, Christian has dedicated his work to advancing systems innovation, organisational transformation, and sustainable societal change.
From 2014 to 2023, Christian served as CEO of the Danish Design Center (DDC), a government-supported non-profit that helps public and private sector organisations address complex challenges through design. Prior to that, he was Director of MindLab, one of the world’s first government innovation labs, where he pioneered innovative approaches to co-creation and public sector innovation. He also held leadership roles at Ramboll Management Consulting, working on strategy and organisational development across sectors.
Christian is a sought-after keynote speaker and strategic advisor, frequently engaging audiences around the world on topics such as mission-driven innovation, design for complexity, foresight, leadership, and governance. He has worked closely with executives, policymakers, and civic leaders, helping them navigate uncertainty and build capacity for transformative change.
He currently delivers executive training with institutions including CEDEP/INSEAD, Copenhagen Business School, Altinget/Mandag Morgen, and the European School of Administration, bringing practical insights to leadership and change-making across business, government, and civil society.
Christian is the author of nine influential books, including the widely acclaimed "Expand: Stretching the Future by Design" (2022), "Leading Public Sector Innovation", and most recently, "The Organisation Was Set Free and the Leadership Had to Be Rediscovered" (2023). His work combines academic rigor with deep practical application, grounded in a belief that innovation must be human-centred, inclusive, and sustainable.
He serves on several advisory boards and expert panels, including the Bay Urban Visioning Awards Jury, the Centre for Leadership (CfL), the Queen Mary Center Advisory Committee, and the Copenhagen Business School Leadership Think Tank. He is also a Good Design Ambassador, a Fellow with Salzburg Global Seminar, and a past member of the World Economic Forum's Global Futures Council on Agile Governance and the EU Commission’s expert group on public sector innovation.
Christian holds a Ph.D. in design, leadership and governance from Copenhagen Business School, an M.Sc. in political science from Aarhus University, and executive education credentials from Harvard Business School and Wharton Business School. Christian lives with his family in Sorgenfri, north of Copenhagen.
Christian Bason
Co-founder of Transition Collective, Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney, and Leader in Residence at Copenhagen Business School.
Christian Bason is a leading voice at the intersection of innovation, design, and public leadership. He is Co-founder of Transition Collective, Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney, and Leader in Residence at Copenhagen Business School. With a career spanning over two decades, Christian has dedicated his work to advancing systems innovation, organisational transformation, and sustainable societal change.
From 2014 to 2023, Christian served as CEO of the Danish Design Center (DDC), a government-supported non-profit that helps public and private sector organisations address complex challenges through design. Prior to that, he was Director of MindLab, one of the world’s first government innovation labs, where he pioneered innovative approaches to co-creation and public sector innovation. He also held leadership roles at Ramboll Management Consulting, working on strategy and organisational development across sectors.
Christian is a sought-after keynote speaker and strategic advisor, frequently engaging audiences around the world on topics such as mission-driven innovation, design for complexity, foresight, leadership, and governance. He has worked closely with executives, policymakers, and civic leaders, helping them navigate uncertainty and build capacity for transformative change.
He currently delivers executive training with institutions including CEDEP/INSEAD, Copenhagen Business School, Altinget/Mandag Morgen, and the European School of Administration, bringing practical insights to leadership and change-making across business, government, and civil society.
Christian is the author of nine influential books, including the widely acclaimed "Expand: Stretching the Future by Design" (2022), "Leading Public Sector Innovation", and most recently, "The Organisation Was Set Free and the Leadership Had to Be Rediscovered" (2023). His work combines academic rigor with deep practical application, grounded in a belief that innovation must be human-centred, inclusive, and sustainable.
He serves on several advisory boards and expert panels, including the Bay Urban Visioning Awards Jury, the Centre for Leadership (CfL), the Queen Mary Center Advisory Committee, and the Copenhagen Business School Leadership Think Tank. He is also a Good Design Ambassador, a Fellow with Salzburg Global Seminar, and a past member of the World Economic Forum's Global Futures Council on Agile Governance and the EU Commission’s expert group on public sector innovation.
Christian holds a Ph.D. in design, leadership and governance from Copenhagen Business School, an M.Sc. in political science from Aarhus University, and executive education credentials from Harvard Business School and Wharton Business School. Christian lives with his family in Sorgenfri, north of Copenhagen.
"Tam" Chudaree DebhakamOwner and head chef of Baan Tepa Culinary Space
Tam Debhakam is the owner and head chef of Baan Tepa Culinary Space, part of the historic Baan Tepa experience in Bangkok. The restaurant holds two Michelin stars and a Michelin Green Star, and is renowned for its focus on local ingredients, sustainability, and culinary creativity.
Tam gained international recognition as the first Thai woman chef to earn two Michelin Stars. She appeared in the spotlight as the youngest contestant and winner of Top Chef Thailand, and was named Asia's Best Female Chef in 2025.
A passionate advocate for sustainability, Tam served as the Chef Ambassador for Thai Harvest SOS and UNEP’s sustainability campaigns from 2015 to 2017, promoting food-waste reduction. She further honed her skills at the International Culinary Center in New York City before working with Chef Dan Barber at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant located within the Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture in Pocantico Hills, New York.
During her two years there, she worked closely with organic, responsibly sourced ingredients, and gained invaluable knowledge of farm-driven cuisine. This experience, combined with her knowledge of nutrition, shapes her approach to cooking: Blending responsibly grown local produce with creative Thai flavours and a modern flair.
Tam’s work at Baan Tepa is driven by a commitment to sustainability and a desire to create meaningful culinary experiences that showcase the richness of Thai ingredients and culture.
"Tam" Chudaree Debhakam
Owner and head chef of Baan Tepa Culinary Space
Tam Debhakam is the owner and head chef of Baan Tepa Culinary Space, part of the historic Baan Tepa experience in Bangkok. The restaurant holds two Michelin stars and a Michelin Green Star, and is renowned for its focus on local ingredients, sustainability, and culinary creativity.
Tam gained international recognition as the first Thai woman chef to earn two Michelin Stars. She appeared in the spotlight as the youngest contestant and winner of Top Chef Thailand, and was named Asia's Best Female Chef in 2025.
A passionate advocate for sustainability, Tam served as the Chef Ambassador for Thai Harvest SOS and UNEP’s sustainability campaigns from 2015 to 2017, promoting food-waste reduction. She further honed her skills at the International Culinary Center in New York City before working with Chef Dan Barber at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant located within the Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture in Pocantico Hills, New York.
During her two years there, she worked closely with organic, responsibly sourced ingredients, and gained invaluable knowledge of farm-driven cuisine. This experience, combined with her knowledge of nutrition, shapes her approach to cooking: Blending responsibly grown local produce with creative Thai flavours and a modern flair.
Tam’s work at Baan Tepa is driven by a commitment to sustainability and a desire to create meaningful culinary experiences that showcase the richness of Thai ingredients and culture.
Meet Our Moderators
Amber HerrewijnSenior Lecturer and Researcher in Event Management, and BEFuture Project Leader at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences / European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI).
Amber specializes in Event Management within the Master’s program in International Leisure, Tourism & Events Management at NHL Stenden University. As a natural connector, she collaborates with local festivals and MICE partners to develop innovative prototypes. She thrives at the intersection of academia and the event industry, always striving to spotlight young talent. Her interest in circularity and sustainability drives her collaborative research on topics such as nudging visitors toward sustainable behavior and extending the event experience through shared mobility. Amber is capacity builder and co-project leader of BEFuture, a project that connects changemakers in the business events industry to foster a sustainable and digital future.
Amber Herrewijn
Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Event Management, and BEFuture Project Leader at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences / European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI).
Amber specializes in Event Management within the Master’s program in International Leisure, Tourism & Events Management at NHL Stenden University. As a natural connector, she collaborates with local festivals and MICE partners to develop innovative prototypes. She thrives at the intersection of academia and the event industry, always striving to spotlight young talent. Her interest in circularity and sustainability drives her collaborative research on topics such as nudging visitors toward sustainable behavior and extending the event experience through shared mobility. Amber is capacity builder and co-project leader of BEFuture, a project that connects changemakers in the business events industry to foster a sustainable and digital future.
Dahlia El GazzarHead of DAHLIA+Agency
Dahlia El Gazzar is like your favorite espresso shot—bold, energizing, and impossible to ignore. She’s on a mission to rescue eventprofs from tech paralysis, boring marketing, and the soul-crushing sameness of most events. With a sharp focus on event tech and AI, she’s here to shake things up. If you’re ready to stop playing it safe and start making waves, she’s got the roadmap (and maybe a few spicy takes).
Dahlia El Gazzar
Head of DAHLIA+Agency
Dahlia El Gazzar is like your favorite espresso shot—bold, energizing, and impossible to ignore. She’s on a mission to rescue eventprofs from tech paralysis, boring marketing, and the soul-crushing sameness of most events. With a sharp focus on event tech and AI, she’s here to shake things up. If you’re ready to stop playing it safe and start making waves, she’s got the roadmap (and maybe a few spicy takes).
Taubie MotlhabaneCEO, Cape Town International Convention Centre
Taubie is a seasoned strategic executive with over 30 years experienced in senior management.She holds a Masters’ degree in Global Marketing from the University of Liverpool (UK), as well as a Bachelor's degree in communication from North-West University (South Africa).
Her areas of expertise include Destination Marketing, Business Events, Communications and Media, having worked for conference centres, DMOs, banking institutions, associations and media organisations.
Her current role is CEO of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). In this role, sheis responsible for the strategic direction and management of this world-class, five-star rated venue.
She is an Executive Director on the CTICC Board and Treasurer & Board Member of the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC). She is a speaker and guest lecturer on Business Events.
Taubie is a multi-award winning and lauded business leader. Some of the awards and recognition include:
Taubie Motlhabane
CEO, Cape Town International Convention Centre
Taubie is a seasoned strategic executive with over 30 years experienced in senior management.She holds a Masters’ degree in Global Marketing from the University of Liverpool (UK), as well as a Bachelor's degree in communication from North-West University (South Africa).
Her areas of expertise include Destination Marketing, Business Events, Communications and Media, having worked for conference centres, DMOs, banking institutions, associations and media organisations.
Her current role is CEO of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). In this role, sheis responsible for the strategic direction and management of this world-class, five-star rated venue.
She is an Executive Director on the CTICC Board and Treasurer & Board Member of the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC). She is a speaker and guest lecturer on Business Events.
Taubie is a multi-award winning and lauded business leader. Some of the awards and recognition include:
• Winner of the 2024 Women in Leadership Award by the Africa Tourism and Leadership Forum.
• Top 10 Global Women CEOs in South Africa by Global Woman Leader Magazine.
• 2022 CEO Africa Award for Outstanding Leadership, Vision and Entrepreneurship, and Eventsand Communications Leader of the Year (South Africa), by CEO Today Magazine GlobalAwards
• Top 50 and Top 100 Most Influential Venue Professionals by the Eventex Index in 2023 and 2024
• Featured in the 2025 Future of Leadership Book (Editions 5) as one of the Twenty-Four TOPLeadership Voices.
Taubie loves music, travel and good food
Taubie loves music, travel and good food
Timothy SimpsonBrand & Engagement Chief Strategist
Tim is a transformational marketing strategy and brand culture leader; and proven fractional CMO. With a Masters of Fine Arts in Poetry and an eclectic and varied background, Tim brings something unique and fresh to any organization looking to build an iconic brand and foster smart, original programs and initiatives. He is a certified Change Leader by PROSCI. His point of view and experience in change leadership is a cornerstone of his ability to unify teams around fresh strategies, look at complex problems and address them through proven, creative frameworks.
Throughout his career he has worked across a wide variety of markets. He is firmly grounded in the behavioral sciences, experiential design, digital marketing, and human-to-human engagement.
Timothy Simpson
Brand & Engagement Chief Strategist
Virginie de VisscherExecutive Director of Business Events, Destination Canada
Virginie De Visscher, Executive Director of Business Events at Destination Canada, is a leading figure in advancing sustainability within the tourism and business events sectors. With a background in biosystems engineering and international trade, she combines strategic vision with hands-on implementation to create impactful initiatives. Her leadership has been instrumental in positioning Canada as a global leader in sustainable tourism.
De Visscher spearheaded the creation of Canada’s first-ever Business Event Sustainability Plan, which integrates economic, social, and environmental goals into business events across the country. This plan provides coaching, training, and resources to over 20 domestic partners, helping them align with Sustainable Development Goals and achieve measurable progress through tools like the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index). Under her guidance, Canada now boasts the highest concentration of GDS-Index destinations globally, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable practices.
Her innovative approach extends beyond environmental goals. De Visscher emphasizes legacy-building through business events by aligning them with Canada’s economic priorities and fostering local benefits. She has also championed partnerships with global organizations like the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and developed strategies to measure and improve carbon footprints.
Through her work at Destination Canada, De Visscher has not only elevated Canada’s reputation in sustainable tourism but also set benchmarks for regenerative tourism practices worldwide. Her efforts underscore a commitment to fostering positive economic, social, and environmental impacts for host communities and global ecosystems alike.
Virginie de Visscher
Executive Director of Business Events, Destination Canada
Virginie De Visscher, Executive Director of Business Events at Destination Canada, is a leading figure in advancing sustainability within the tourism and business events sectors. With a background in biosystems engineering and international trade, she combines strategic vision with hands-on implementation to create impactful initiatives. Her leadership has been instrumental in positioning Canada as a global leader in sustainable tourism.
De Visscher spearheaded the creation of Canada’s first-ever Business Event Sustainability Plan, which integrates economic, social, and environmental goals into business events across the country. This plan provides coaching, training, and resources to over 20 domestic partners, helping them align with Sustainable Development Goals and achieve measurable progress through tools like the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index). Under her guidance, Canada now boasts the highest concentration of GDS-Index destinations globally, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable practices.
Her innovative approach extends beyond environmental goals. De Visscher emphasizes legacy-building through business events by aligning them with Canada’s economic priorities and fostering local benefits. She has also championed partnerships with global organizations like the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and developed strategies to measure and improve carbon footprints.
Through her work at Destination Canada, De Visscher has not only elevated Canada’s reputation in sustainable tourism but also set benchmarks for regenerative tourism practices worldwide. Her efforts underscore a commitment to fostering positive economic, social, and environmental impacts for host communities and global ecosystems alike.