In his inspiring keynote, Dr. Florian Ilgen explores how to awaken the drive to take action and embrace transformation in times of rapid digital and AI-driven change. With humor, science, and engaging storytelling, he reveals how passion fuels progress, how to overcome limiting beliefs and loss aversion, and how adopting a true growth mindset can empower individuals and organizations to thrive. 

Dr. Florian Ilgen is a leading expert on mindset transformation, motivation, and the psychology of change. Holding a PhD in chemistry, he combines scientific precision with an entrepreneurial mindset to help individuals and organizations unlock their potential in times of disruption. His deep understanding of human behavior and change dynamics allows him to translate complex concepts into clear, actionable insights that inspire immediate results.

For over 16 years, Florian has captivated audiences across Europe and beyond with his energetic and thought-provoking keynotes. His unique blend of scientific background, real-world business experience, and dynamic stage performance has made him a trusted partner to global corporations, DAX-listed companies, and fast-growing start-ups seeking to foster innovation, resilience, and growth.

A Certified Speaking Professional (CSP®), Dr. Florian Ilgen is among the most distinguished speakers in his field. He is a sought-after media guest and contributor for Handelsblatt, Spiegel, and Die Zeit, and frequently appears on leading TV talk shows. Guided by passion and curiosity, he helps individuals and businesses alike turn change into opportunity—and inspiration into action.

AI is the most disruptive and enabling force in every industry around the world, including our own. This talk will explore opportunities and threats created by generative and agentic AI against current and projected market dynamics. Del will share insights and observations from his work as an industry insider, advisor and disruptor for the past three decades.

Del Ross is an expert in the lodging industry with a focus on revenue generation, operations technology, and profit optimization. He supports engagements in the hotel, airline, car rental, cruise, wholesale, agency, technology suppliers and other categories as a Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Co, a global strategy consulting firm. He has served nearly all of the major hotel brands, management companies, and investment organizations and has developed a broad understanding of the dynamics and complexities in the travel industry.

Del is the former head of Commercial for IHG Americas where he was accountable for delivering over $11 billion in hotel revenues for more than 3,600 properties annually. Del built the direct e-commerce channel for the company to over $2.5 billion in four years, created and managed the company’s highly successful vacation ownership business, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and developed a mid-market corporate sales program which produced more than $150 million in incremental revenues within its first year.

Prior to IHG, Del was a entrepreneur who holds multiple patents for marketing technologies which have been licensed by several of the world’s largest travel companies. He also serves on the boards of the Catholic Foundation of North Georgia and the Jekyll Island Foundation.