Detailed Agenda Lineup of Experts Location & Hotel Reservations
What is the Emerging Leaders Conference?
A fast-paced, fun, and interactive summer leadership experience designed for young (or young at heart!) material handling professionals. This year’s theme, “Common Ground Leadership” is centered on providing insights on how leaders and their teams can work together with shared goals of organizational success, personal fulfillment, and the ability to embrace failure as a function of innovative thinking. Join us on July 25 at the Emerging Leaders Conference and together we will find the common ground to help you become a better leader.
Event Highlights
> Uncover the steps to create a generationally robust and diverse culture.
> Learn how to keep your team engaged by reviewing six critical ingredients of any healthy relationship and learn how to apply them as a leader.
> Gain a simple four-step check-in process that you can use to generate conversations that matter with your people.
> Discover the tools to set ambitious goals and move them from ideas into reality.
> Participate in an interactive roundtable discussions with fellow attendees.
> Feel good when you participate in a Give Back event that will provide needed nutrition to local children.
> Make industry connections.
> And so much more!
Agenda at a Glance
| Wednesday, July 24 | ||
| 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Meet, Mingle and Maximize! (Optional Event) | Learn More |
| Thursday, July 25 | ||
| 7:30 am – 8:30 am | Breakfast & Registration | Learn More |
| 8:30 am – 8:45 am | Welcome & Introductions | Learn More |
| 8:45 am – 10:00 am | Zap the Generational Gap | Learn More |
| 10:00 am – 10:15 am | The Big Picture | Learn More |
| 10:30 am – 11:45 am | Lead with Relationships | Learn More |
| 11:45 am – 12:00 pm | The Big Picture | Learn More |
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Networking Luncheon | Learn More |
| 1:00 pm – 1:15 pm | Membership Highlights | Learn More |
| 1:15 pm – 2:45 pm | Roundtable Discussions | Learn More |
| 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm | Unstoppable Leadership | Learn More |
| 3:45 pm – 4:00 pm | Wrap-up, Trivia and Prizes! | Learn More |
| 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm | Give Back Event | Learn More |
| 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Happy Hour Reception/Closing | Learn More |
Registration
If you are a MHEDA/MHI/WERC member, make sure to register by June 14, 2024, in order to receive your early bird rate!
$895 per person Early Bird Member Rate
$995 per person Regular Member Rate (after June 14, 2024)
$1095 per person Non-Member Rate
$175 per person Meet, Mingle and Maximize! (Optional Event)
What does my registration include?
Included in the registration fee is admittance to the conference, all handout materials, full breakfast, networking luncheon, coffee, soda, snack breaks, Give Back Event and Happy Hour reception. Plus, networking with other material handling professionals who face similar material handling career challenges as you and the priceless opportunity to bring your material handling career to the next level! The registration does not include the Meet, Mingle, and Maximize event or travel/hotel accommodations.
Detailed Agenda
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6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Meet, Mingle and Maximize!
Want to maximize your networking time? Join us for an engaging reception where you will have the opportunity to meet and connect with other Emerging Leader attendees the night before the conference.
Evening includes food, drinks, great conversation and interactive (jaw-dropping!) entertainment featuring Christopher Carter. An evening of networking fun you do not want to miss! This is an optional event that will take place at Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse. Registration is required.
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7:30 am - 8:30 am
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8:30 am - 8:45 am
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8:45 am - 10:00 am
Zap the Generational Gap: Transforming, Recruiting and Retaining Multi-Generational Teamsby Meagan Johnson, Generation Expert
The truth is, the workforce, and possibly your household, spans across five generations. On one end of the spectrum, the younger generations in the workforce, are beginning their careers during one of the largest global upheavals the world has experienced. On the other end, an entire generation, on the precipice of retirement, is learning how to conduct business in an increasingly digital environment. It can be a struggle to find the right balance between the sometimes-conflicting needs of each generation.
Recognizing and embracing generational diversity not only makes us empathetic to others but enables us to achieve what was previously believed unattainable. You will leave with action steps you can put into place immediately to take you into the future.
Key Takeaways:
• Review how Leadership optics changes and challenges each generation.
• Gain a better understanding of the different generations and how their Generational Signposts shape their expectation of the workplace.
• Uncover the top generational engagement factors.
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10:00 am - 10:15 am
The Big Picture – featuring art created by Katya BalakinaGraphic Recording Artist Katya Balakina will capture the key takeaways from the morning sessions and turn them into an interactive and memorable artistic summary. Together we will discuss and review what we learned, using Katya’s artwork as a tool.
Chicago based artist Katya Balakina, from Balakina Studios brings the event’s “Big Ideas” to life as she creates an art board capturing the speakers’ main takeaways.
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10:30 am - 11:45 am
Lead with Relationships: How to Elevate Performance and Unlock Engagement in a New Era of Workby Jason Lauritsen, Leadership Speaker & Author
In this dynamic session, you’ll be introduced to the core mindsets at the heart of The Check-In Method™, a leadership framework powered by relationships and meaningful conversations. You’ll gain key skills and tools to help you build connections, stay on top of what’s really going on, and know how to provide the support your people need to be engaged and productive.
Key Takeaways:
• Review six critical ingredients of any healthy relationship and learn how to apply them as a leader.
• Uncover a simple four-step check-in process that you can use to invite the conversations that matter with your people.
• Discuss how to make the mindset shifts necessary as a leader to be effective in today’s workplace.
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11:45 am - 12:00 pm
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12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
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1:00 pm - 1:15 pm
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1:15 pm - 2:45 pm
Material Handling Business Trends Roundtable Discussions
Discuss 2024 Material Handling Business Trends. This is your opportunity to hear how other material handling leaders are addressing trends in their organization. You will learn, connect, share and review important themes and issues.
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3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
by Alex Weber, former American Ninja Warrior
As an American Ninja Warrior, Award-Winning Host for NBC, acclaimed Author, and US Lacrosse Coach of the Year, Alex has reached record-breaking achievements as a Leader and Peak Performer. But with these accomplishments, he’s also had to face intense pressure, hard failures, and his own limitations. The moments when the stakes are high, and you can’t afford to lose out to stress, doubt, negativity, and your competition. It is in these moments when you need to tap into your ultimate confidence, creativity, resourcefulness, and peak performance. And that is what this system will give you.
Key Takeaways:
• Discover leadership keys to connect, cultivate, and challenge your people when they need your Unstoppable Leadership.
• Learn how to be at your best in the most high-stakes situations.
• Review how to use challenges as a tool to help you increase confidence, excitement and purpose.
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3:45 pm - 4:00 pm
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4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Blessings in a Backpack
Attendees of the Emerging Leaders Conference will pack food items to be donated to kids in Chicago who are experiencing food insecurity. Great way to help the community and enjoy spending time together with fellow attendees.
Did you know that over 13 million children are experiencing food insecurity? That’s one in five American children who may be struggling with access to food. The consequences of hunger are much more than a growling stomach.
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4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Wednesday, July 24
Thursday, July 25
Conference Facilitator
Jim Ripkey, Conference Facilitator
Jim Ripkey is President, Industrial Equipment, for Hy-Tek Intralogistics headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. He has over 34 years of material handling dealership experience, including leading sales, operations, marketing, and administration. Jim is a member of MHEDA’s Board of Directors.
Conference Speakers
Meagan Johnson, Generation Expert
Meagan Johnson is a nationally recognized multi-generational expert and generational studies enthusiast. Since 1997; she has researched, written and spoken about the multiple generations. Her focus is on how to build a culture of multi-generational collaboration… not alienation. Rather than promoting generational stereotypes, Meagan explores what drives a generation to succeed. Her company, Meagan Johnson Inc. is based in Phoenix Arizona where she resides with her husband and 3 big dogs who drool A LOT! (The dogs, not her husband)
Jason Lauritsen, Leadership Speaker & Author
As a former corporate executive, Jason cracked the code to doubling company revenue per employee. But it wasn’t until he began working at a company responsible for Best Places to Work contests across North America that he discovered the key that unlocks employee engagement, no matter the organization: People experience work as a relationship. He is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity. His thought leadership has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Talent Management magazine, HR Executive magazine, and SHRM publications.
Alex Weber, former American Ninja Warrior
Alex Weber is an American Ninja Warrior, Award-Winning Leader and Entertainer. Alex is the only person to both host and compete on NBC American Ninja Warrior. Alex’s greatest passion championing attendees highest potential by helping them find their edge. Success is about more than just knowing what to do, it’s knowing how to do it. Alex shows leaders how to bring their very best every day!
Stay in the Heart of Chicago!
Viceroy Hotel Chicago
1118 N State St
Chicago, IL 60610
Special discounted group rate: $269 per night and is available until July 2nd or until room block is filled. Chicago has many events going on in the summer, we encourage you to make your reservations as soon as possible!
In the heart of the historic Chicago Gold Coast, on the cusp of the city’s best luxury shopping and dining, Viceroy Chicago is your doorway to the best part of the city. They’ve re-imagined a 120-year-old building — introducing a new chapter for the modern traveler. Stylish updates and a lively social scene set the tone. Think: larger-than-life art installations welcoming you to the lobby. A seasonal rooftop pool with skyline views. Guestrooms enticing you to look out on Lake Michigan. Experience that forever-at-the-pulse feeling. Take it all in!
Make Hotel ReservationReviews from Past Emerging Leaders Conferences
“I really liked how we all were engaged at all times. The presenters were funny, entertaining and so very wise.”
“This was an overall great experience and I’m excited to continue the conversation in the emerging leader group.”
“Opportunity to take away some tools to apply at my organization.”
“The small group discussions were excellent and insightful.”
“Provided helpful tips to speaking with peers, subordinates, managers and customers. Being able to word discussions effectively is extremely helpful.”
“Interact with others within the industry and build lasting relationships.”
“The speakers were engaging and they fostered an environment of engagement with our peers. So we were not just sitting listening the whole time.”
“Gained some valuable experience in communicating and creating ways to communicate with colleagues.”
“As a new leader, I continue to look for all ways to be a great leader.”
Conference Sponsors
