Emilie Baltz has always been passionate about everything culinary, from junk food to haute cuisine. She explored American eating habits in her master’s thesis and authored a cookbook for the “lowbrow gourmand.” She is renowned for curating extravagant dinner parties that delve into our food experiences. However, her most acclaimed work lies at the intersection of food and technology, including the world’s first musical licking performance and an AI chef bot-led cooking show that uses emotions as recipe ingredients. For Emilie, food is more than sustenance—it’s a medium for immersive, boundary-pushing experiences that ignite curiosity.

Michael Barclay II stands as a preeminent global experiential executive, leveraging unmatched expertise to propel companies, brands, and events to unprecedented success. As Executive Vice President, he spearheads the ESSENCE Festival of Culture, a flagship event by ESSENCE Ventures, elevating the Global Black experience and driving economic progress at the nexus of community and culture. ESSENCE Ventures, parent company of ESSENCE Magazine, Beautycon, Afropunk and Essence Studios, mirrors his visionary leadership. Recognized as a Black Events Network Top 100 honoree, Barclay boasts accolades including the Cannes Lion Bronze Award for the Simone Biles “Pause Is Power” Powerade campaign and a Clio Sports Bronze Award. Revered as a compassionate mentor and pioneering thought leader, his extensive expertise spans strategic innovation and the cultivation of diverse, award-winning teams, delivering transformative events that resonate across diverse audiences.

Vivian Belzaguy Hunter is passionate about engaging communities to take better care of our planet. Her most notable project, Ultra Music Festival’s “Mission: Home” program, has reached millions of people and even took home a World Sustainability Award. In 2017, Vivian founded Ascendance Sustainable Events to support event organizers who want to turn negative impacts into positive influences through comprehensive sustainability programs that reach beyond event gates.

Fri Forjindam, with over 13 years of experience across theatre, fashion, and themed entertainment, is the Chief Development Officer and Executive Creative Director at Mycotoo, Inc., a global leader in live events and immersive experiences. Recognized by Inc. 500 as a “Top Media” company, Mycotoo has led significant projects such as Netflix’s Stranger Things: The Experience Global Tour and HBO’s SxSWestworld, earning top prizes like Clio and Cannes Lions Gold awards. Fri drives strategic growth, brand communication, and business partnerships worldwide. Her influence extends to serving as a board member for the Ryman Arts Foundation, reflecting her commitment to visual arts education.

Ariel Foxman — renowned for transforming InStyle into a leading fashion publication as its first male editor — has transitioned his narrative skills from the magazine industry to real-life retail experiences. Now serving as the VP of brand and experience for WS Development, Ariel is revitalizing Boston’s Seaport district by crafting engaging retail environments. He views his current role as a natural extension of his editorial work, emphasizing the common goal of inspiring and educating people. Ariel aims to enrich lives by introducing novel experiences and aspirations, drawing parallels between shaping magazine content and developing dynamic urban spaces.

Dr. IndigiNerd aka Dr. Lee Francis 4 (Pueblo of Laguna) is the CEO of ATCG Media and the founder of the Indigenous Comic Con and Red Planet Books and Comics. His work revolves around sparking the Indigenous imagination and changing the perceptions of Native and Indigenous people through dynamic and imaginative pop culture representations. He is also an award-winning writer and editor and a strong advocate for Native American youth, with a focus on youth media literacy and entrepreneurship. He lives in North Carolina with his family.

Mikhael Tara Garver is a distinguished figure in immersive experiences, having shaped transformative live events globally for over two decades. As the founder of Culture House Immersive and a pioneer in the field, she has collaborated with various organizations, from brands to social justice groups, creating impactful works in diverse settings, including the award-winning Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser. Garver’s contributions extend beyond entertainment; she consults and develops business models that emphasize artistic and cultural significance. Her work with prestigious entities like AMC Television, Amazon, and The National Park Service showcases her ability to merge immersive experiences with cultural change. Garver’s leadership roles in education and her involvement in influential immersive projects highlight her dedication to evolving the immersive entertainment industry and its capacity to foster community and cultural shifts.

Ron Goldenberg is the Vice-President of International Marketing & Innovation at BSE Global (parent company of Barclays Center, The Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty) and is responsible for the company’s international efforts. Before joining BSE, Ron worked at the National Basketball Association in corporate sponsorship and marketing, most recently leading the NBA’s marketing business in Canada. Ron received his Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University.

Wendy Heimann-Nunes, co-founder and managing partner at Nolan Heimann, is a pivotal figure in the immersive and location-based entertainment law sector. She offers strategic counsel, especially in monetizing intellectual properties, creative content, brands and technologies for a diverse client base including licensors, operators and developers. Starting her legal career in Chicago with Mayer Brown, Wendy later worked on theme park developments for Universal Studios in Los Angeles. Recognized for her contributions with the Peter Chernack Distinguished Service THEA Award, she is also on the Board of The Third Floor, a top digital visualization company. Beyond her professional accolades, Wendy is passionate about drumming and performs in her band, Crinoline. She holds degrees from the University of Chicago Law School and Northwestern University and has played key roles in various global entertainment projects.

Bjarke Ingels — the founder of BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group in 2005 and former co-founder of PLOT Architects — is renowned for integrating architecture with contemporary life’s demands through rigorous analysis of culture, climate, and economic patterns. His design philosophy champions information-driven design, reflecting his belief that architecture should enhance how we live. Named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2016, Bjarke has a distinguished portfolio of globally recognized, award-winning buildings.

Jenna Isken is a catalyst for brand-person connections, weaving compelling narratives with profound human insight and bold creativity. Overseeing the launch of 20+ brands, development of 30 websites, and crafting numerous interactive experiences for global giants such as Disney, SoFi Stadium, Google, Amazon, and TikTok, Jenna’s impact is indelible. Her diverse background, blending agency expertise, corporate acumen, and the wisdom of motherhood, fuels her exceptional track record in brand building, experience creation, business development, and team leadership. Jenna’s journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to leaving enduring imprints in the realms of brands, experiences, and beyond.

Aamna Jalal is the Head of Global Business Affairs & Strategic Initiatives at Superfly, an experience company focused on shaping global entertainment through shared experiences. With 16 years of expertise at the business-law intersection, she excels in legal strategy, business development, and forging global partnerships. A skilled negotiator and general counsel, Aamna is committed to advancing business objectives, mitigating legal risks, and driving transformative change in experiential entertainment, where she blends innovation and creativity to create impactful experiences.

Michael Stephen Johnson serves as the Strategy Director at Alice & Smith, a comprehensive entertainment agency and technology developer for Microsoft, specializing in Media & Entertainment, Azure Cloud, and AI solutions. Initially established in the gaming sector as an innovator of alternate reality games (ARGs), Alice & Smith recruited Michael to apply his expertise in transmedia storytelling to major projects like Krafton’s blockbuster MMO, PUBG. Currently, Michael focuses on developing workshops and frameworks that center on gamification to enhance user experiences. His recent collaborations include projects for Red Bull, the LA Clippers, DAZN, and Moment Factory.

Harry Julmice is a conscious entrepreneur and investor. He is the co-founder, CEO and community engineer of Never Was Average. Through immersive public art and wellness experiences, he uses the power of experiential to inspire conscious minds and strengthen ties between communities, both in the real world and Web 3.0.

Joe Killian is a music and entertainment marketing executive with 25+ years of experience connecting artists, brands and audiences through live events, multi-media content and social activations. Joe is the founder of the award-winning Central Park Summerstage concert series, and served as the Executive Producer between 1985-1993. He has produced shows at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, among others. Additionally, Joe is a two-time Emmy award winner, and has received Music Clios, a Webby, an X award and has been shortlisted for a Cannes Lion award.

Félix Lajeunesse, co-founder of the Emmy-winning Felix & Paul Studios, has been a pioneer in immersive entertainment, producing AR, VR and MR content. Based in LA and Montreal, the studio merges Hollywood creativity with Montreal’s tech prowess. Meeting co-founder Paul Raphaël at Concordia University, they produced the first VR film, pioneering a shift from traditional film to virtual reality despite challenges. Their innovative work extends to franchises like Jurassic World and collaborations with celebrities like the Obamas, making significant impacts in VR over the past decade.

When Abbey Londer moved to LA in 2009 to pursue stand-up comedy, she found her passion in producing shows. Noticing LA’s lack of a comedy festival, she initiated Riot LA through a Kickstarter campaign, establishing a celebrated multi-day event that showcases local talent. Over a decade later, Riot LA thrives in downtown LA, maintaining its original grassroots and grunge essence. Abbey’s achievements include working on the world’s largest international comedy festival and serving as Chief of Staff for Netflix is a Joke Fest. Her focus as a producer is on creating unparalleled, unique experiences for her audience.

Lou Murrary is a WXO Founding Member and a Venture Partner at Triptyq Capital. Previously, she was the President of the Los Angeles Studio at Thinkwell Group, enhancing business results through excellence in the design and production of experiential, immersive and interactive media across physical and digital platforms. Lou served as Senior Vice President of Business Operations at TD Garden Boston, revolutionizing the guest experience to establish a top-tier experiential ecosystem. At The Walt Disney Company, she was Vice President of Creative Entertainment Parks & Resorts, leading an international team of over 500 to deliver live entertainment and experiential broadcasts at Walt Disney World. Additionally, she was Vice President of Strategic Planning and Partnerships at Cirque du Soleil’s touring division, managing the creative and distribution strategies of this multimillion-dollar segment.

Gabriela Neves has 17 years of experience running Factory360, one of the top award-winning brand activation agencies in the U.S. with clients such as Meta, Amazon, Deutsch Wines, Oatly and Grubhub. Gaby has a passion for technology and has adapted growth hacking techniques to drive business for clients. As a leader in the industry at large, Gaby created the first-ever incubator program with Florida International University and serves on the DE&I advisory board for Event Marketer magazine.

Jameka S. Pankey is a distinguished thought leader, strategist, and community advocate dedicated to fostering sustainable change in diversity, inclusion, and equity in the workplace. With over 15 years of leadership experience in the corporate and retail sectors, she specializes in talent development, improving employee experiences, and enriching company culture. Currently, Jameka holds the position of Head of Events and Experiential at Amazon Music, where she continues to impact organizational practices and drive forward-thinking initiatives.

Dan Pelson serves as the COO of AREA15, the inaugural purpose-built immersive entertainment district near the Las Vegas Strip, which has attracted nearly 4 million visitors since its 2020 opening. Under his leadership, AREA15, known for its live events, art installations, and innovative technology, is set to expand in Las Vegas and globally, with new locations in Riyadh and Orlando. Pelson, who reports to CEO Winston Fisher, oversees operations, finance, and expansion efforts. His background includes over 25 years in executive roles at major companies like Warner Music Group and entrepreneurial ventures in digital and social media. Pelson, a graduate of Colgate University and NYU, is also recognized as a dynamic speaker in the industry.

Jay Rinsky is a serial entrepreneur and multimedia artist, and the founder and Chief Creative Director of Little Cinema and LCDigital. Under his leadership, Little Cinema transformed from an artist collective into a leading experiential agency, even earning an Emmy nomination. In 2020, he launched LCDigital to complement Little Cinema, delivering award-winning experiences for notable clients including Disney, Netflix, Amazon, and Warner Bros. Pictures. Jay excels in creatively connecting, directing, and amalgamating multi-disciplinary ideas, talents, and technologies to produce exceptional outcomes.

Leah Rubin-Cadrain is a pioneering creative technology leader in augmented reality and leads the creative team at Arcadia, Snapchat’s in-house AR innovation studio. At Arcadia, she has enhanced live music experiences with LiveNation, brought fans closer to the World Cup with US Soccer, and reimagined vending machines with Coca-Cola. A Snapchat veteran, Leah introduced AR to both consumers and marketers, earning accolades for her work, including a Clio Award for Netflix’s “Stranger Things” AR portal. She has served on the Clio Awards jury and spoken at various industry panels. Leah resides on the Hudson River with her family.

Scott Shigeoka, a globally acclaimed curiosity expert, speaker, and award-winning author of “Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World,” disseminates research on fostering positive well-being and relationships. Engaging audiences worldwide, he shares insights gleaned from his tenure at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and pioneering courses at the University of Texas at Austin. With speaking engagements spanning universities, schools, corporations, and global conferences, Scott’s influence resonates widely. Additionally, he channels his creative talents as a screenwriter and playwright, with two major projects in the pipeline. Originally from Hawaii, Scott now calls California home.

Lesly Simmons is a celebrated content and programming expert recognized for engaging thousands of speakers for major companies like Amazon, Twitter, Google, and Facebook. As the Global Head of Community Innovation at Amazon, she leads global audience engagement efforts and has produced an extensive range of events, including fireside chats with world leaders and CEOs, panels for Oscar-winning films, and large-scale brand activations. Simmons is known for her commitment to inclusivity and impact, with a talent for creating exciting, engaging stories and experiences that resonate with diverse audiences.

Louisa St. Pierre has been a dynamic force in the creative and art industries for over 25 years. As the Global Director of Art and Experiential at Management + Artists | MA+Creative, she leverages her extensive experience to bring strategic opportunities to artists and brands. Louisa’s career includes significant roles such as Board Member at SUPERPLASTIC®, Global Head of Art & Experiential at Great Bowery, and Executive Agent & Partner at Bernstein & Andriulli. Her work has consistently focused on creating memorable creative solutions and strategic connections, guiding a global team to provide comprehensive strategy, creative direction, and experiential design.

Dylan Thuras is the co-founder and creative director of AtlasObscura.com, a collaborative guide showcasing the world’s hidden wonders, attracting eight million monthly visitors. He has co-authored three New York Times bestsellers: “Atlas Obscura,” “Gastro Obscura,” and “The Explorer’s Guide for The World’s Most Adventurous Kid.” Dylan is also the host of the top-ranked travel podcast, “The Atlas Obscura Podcast.” Residing in the Hudson Valley, he lives with his wife, Michelle, and their two children, Phineas and Jean.

Debi Wong, an XR producer and interdisciplinary artist, merges opera with video game elements through her work with Canada’s re:Naissance Opera. She innovates by integrating human voice and movement with motion capture technology, creating immersive and interactive storytelling experiences. Her contributions have garnered international recognition, including awards from the AUREA XR Awards and acknowledgments at SXSW and by the Canadian Independent Music Association. Debi also plays a significant role in promoting XR works at the Vancouver International Film Festival and IndieFest. Beyond her artistic endeavors, she advocates for diversity, equity, and representation within the experiential industry.