ACCESS 2026 - December 1st - 3rd
Keynote & General Session Speakers
Josh Sundquist
Opening Keynote
Resilience, humor & perspective that inspire lasting action
Josh Sundquist is a motivational speaker, comedian, bestselling author and Paralympian who inspires audiences with an extraordinary combination of resilience, humour and authenticity. After surviving childhood cancer and losing his left leg at the age of nine, Josh transformed adversity into opportunity, eventually earning a place on the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team. Today, he delivers unforgettable keynote presentations that motivate sales teams, educators, students, healthcare professionals and corporate leaders to face challenges with confidence, optimism and purpose.
Award-winning storyteller & bestselling author
Josh's work extends far beyond the stage:
Executive producer and writer of the Emmy Award-winning Apple TV+ series Best Foot Forward, inspired by his childhood.
Author of the National Bestseller Just Don't Fall.
His memoir We Should Hang Out Sometime was optioned for film rights by a division of Disney.
Published the novel Love and First Sight in 2017 and Semi-Famous in 2022.
His books have been published across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, Italy and Turkey, with translations in German, Italian and Turkish.
Anthony Coppers
Founder, Head of Innovation,
Gradient
Keynote Day 2
Anthony Coppers began his career in Brussels, Belgium, where he produced events since high school and later became Marketing Director at Cameleon, a leading fashion company in the Benelux. In 2002, Anthony moved to New York, gaining a reputation for successful private and corporate events. He founded ACC&E and became a managing partner of FIZZ, a high-end members-only club and restaurant. In 2008, Anthony founded Gradient, an agency focusing on beauty, spirits, and luxury experiences that blend human connection with technology. As Founder and Head of Innovation, he has guided brands like L’Oréal Groupe, Beam Suntory, Audemars Piguet, and Golden Goose, leveraging digital innovation to elevate their messaging. With a mix of European flair and American pragmatism, he continues to redefine the experiential marketing landscape.
Nick Borelli
Director of Marketing | Zenus
AI in Action: The Future of Exhibits and Experiences
Zenus Director of Marketing, Nick Borelli, leverages his background in experience design, event tech, and digital marketing to help event professionals reach their full potential.
His background includes decades of contributions to live and digital communication, helping to facilitate his mission: bringing the world together through intentionally designed experiences.
To further this mission, he has presented on a wide range of topics internationally, volunteered with numerous industry associations, and contributed to dozens of publications. He has also served as a board member for a decade with the meetings and events industry non-profit, The SEARCH Foundation.
Nick has been named a Changemaker by MeetingsNet, awarded International Volunteer of the Year by the International Live Events Association, and has won numerous marketing awards. He has served as an advisor for associations, conferences, technology companies, and event suppliers.
Nick is the instructor of the Enhancing Events with AI course with the PCMA Institute.
Howard Givner
Serial Entrepreneur. Strategic Advisor to Business Owners on Growth, Exit Planning and M&A
Howard Givner is a serial entrepreneur, innovator and business strategist, specializing in the events and ed-tech industries. He advises corporate event teams, event agencies and other businesses on growth, innovation, measurement, strategy and M&A. He is a Senior Advisor at Oaklins | DeSilva + Phillips, a global mid-market investment bank, and CEO of the Heathcote Advisory Group, a consulting practice for business leaders.
Howard is the publisher of Event Business Intelligence, a newsletter for event business owners and executives.
He has successfully built and sold three businesses in the events industry and has advised over a dozen other industry CEOs on M&A and growth strategies. He was the founder and CEO of the Event Leadership Institute, a provider of training and resources for meeting planning, event marketing and hospitality professionals, which was acquired by PCMA in 2023. He also led the U.S. division of Grass Roots Meetings & Events during its sale to BCD Meetings & Events in 2018, and he was the founder and President of Paint the Town Red, an event agency which he subsequently sold to Global Events.
Howard is a frequent industry speaker, writer and educator on a broad range of topics. He is an avid hiker, crossword solver, podcast junkie, fiction writer and cancer survivor.
Michael Feuz
ITR Economics
Michael Feuz is a key member of ITR Economics’ team of expert economists and consultants. Backed by a decade of experience working for technology start-ups, he contributes to the production of client reports, forecast reviews, economic research, and regular client-facing communications.
Michael majored in business administration at Franciscan University of Steubenville and earned his master’s degree in economics from George Mason University. His accomplishments include building, implementing, and executing multiple go-to-market plans for technology start-ups, advancing as a national finalist in a public speaking competition, and publishing multiple op-eds in major media outlets while working in public relations.
Prior to joining ITR Economics, Michael worked as a technology consultant. He helped manufacturers, construction companies, oil and gas firms, financial institutions, and small businesses enhance their operational efficiencies. He worked with C-suite executives across a wide range of industries to improve intra-company communications, data capture and analysis, sales numbers, and profitability.
Michael Dominguez
President & CEO
Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)
Michael Dominguez serves as the President & CEO for Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI). ALHI is the largest independent Global Sales Organization with a team of nearly 85 professionals located among 26 offices across North America and Europe. Prior to joining ALHI, Michael served in executive sales leadership roles with MGM Resorts International as Chief Sales Officer and many brand and independent branded companies.
Michael is an-award winning hospitality industry veteran. He has received multiple honors for his leadership and influence and has been recognized as a change agent by his peers. He’s also been a speaker with Fortune 100 Companies on topics ranging from disruption to the economy and a passion around Leadership and was an invited speaker at SXSW in 2018.
Michael’s other industry leadership involvement includes board positions with:
US Travel Association (Executive Committee & Officer)
Meetings Mean Business Coalition (Executive Committee)
Co-Chair EIC’s Taskforce on COVID Recovery
AMCI’s Board of Directors - Current
ASAE’s Board of Directors
FICP’s Influence Committee
APEX Standards Committee
GBTA Foundation Board
HSMAI Foundation Board
Co-Chair APEX Room Piracy Taskforce
Michael has been recognized in the industry for numerous honors including:
ASAE & IMEX - 2025 Global Association Visionary Award
HispanicBusiness.com’s - “50 Most Influential Hispanics in the US”.
MPI’s 50th Anniversary – “50 Most Influential”
MeetingsNet - 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award
ASAE – 2023 Fellow Class
ECPAT USA - 2022 Freedom Award
Event Industry Council – 2109 Hall of Leaders Inductee
HSMAI – 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award in Sales
MeetingsNet – Changemakers 2022 & 2014
Connect Magazine – 2021 - “15 over 50”
BizBash 500 - 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021
M&C Magazine’s – 2020 Top 25 Influencer
Successful Meetings - 2013-2015 Top 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry
Smart Meetings - 2015 Smartest Industry Leaders
HSMAI’s - 2014 Top Minds in Sales and Marketing
Meetings Focus - 2014 Trendsetter