Impact Rebel: Next Generation’s Changemakers for a Sustainable Future

Courtney Lohmann

What if the key to creating a sustainable future isn’t found in massive corporate pledges but in the choices of the next generation who dare to lead differently? In her signature keynote, Impact Rebel: Next Generation Changemakers for a Sustainable Future, Courtney disrupts the status quo and shows audiences why the future of sustainability AND purpose-driven leadership belongs to those who act.

Grounded in her “Impact Rebel” philosophy, Courtney reveals how every person, regardless of title or role, can become a catalyst for innovation, culture change, and measurable impact. Through compelling stories, practical tools, and the power of passion aligned with purpose, she teaches audiences how to move from good intentions to meaningful, sustained action.

Get ready to awaken your inner “Impact Rebel”.

Key Takeaways

• Activate the ripple effect – how small, purpose-driven actions spark large-scale organizational and community impact.
• Lead with regenerative thinking - the mindset shift that fuels innovation and builds a thriving future.
• Create a personalized impact roadmap — practical steps that align passion, purpose, and organizational goals.
• Purpose-driven leadership that sparks the next generation of leaders — and how it shapes the future of business, culture, and impact.

From Attendees to Humans: Designing Events for the Next Generation Experience

Vimari Román

The next generation of attendees—led by Gen Z—is redefining what a great event experience looks like. They expect more than compelling content; they value authenticity, inclusion, and experiences that feel intentional, human, and aligned with their values.

In this session, Vimari Román, CMM, PCC invites senior event and meeting professionals to rethink event design for a new era. Moving beyond trends and generational stereotypes, she explores how the emotional and psychological experience of attendees now plays a critical role in engagement, participation, and long-term event impact.

Through a human-centered lens, attendees will gain practical insight into how thoughtful choices around agenda flow, session design, facilitation, and participation can elevate the overall experience—without increasing complexity or cost. This session offers a future-ready approach to designing events that resonate with Gen Z while creating better experiences for all attendees.

In this session, you’ll learn how to:

• Understand what Gen Z and future attendees value most in live experiences.
• Recognize design elements that enhance—or hinder—engagement.
• Create more inclusive, authentic, and engaging event environments.
• Apply human-centered design principles that support business and stakeholder goals.

Beyond the Room: Designing Future-Ready Event Experiences for Engagement, Shareability, and Lasting Impact

Rielle Schwartz

Today’s attendees don’t just experience events in person—they experience them through content, social sharing, and digital storytelling. In this forward-looking keynote, Rielle Schwartz explores how the next generation of event design must move beyond décor and logistics to create environments that spark emotion, inspire connection, and live far beyond the ballroom walls.

From designing for FOMO and user-generated content to measuring Return on Objective (ROO) instead of traditional ROI alone, attendees will learn how intentional scenic and experiential design can drive community, brand affinity, repeat attendance, and long-term impact. Rielle will also share why modular, reusable scenic systems are becoming one of the most strategic investments event professionals can make for sustainability, scalability, and future-focused event growth.

Key Takeaways

• Learn how to design event environments that create emotional connection, belonging, and memorable attendee experiences.
• Discover why today’s events must be built for both the in-room audience and the digital audience experiencing the event online.
• Understand the shift from ROI to ROO (Return on Objective) and how to measure engagement, shareability, and long-term brand impact.
• Explore how authentic, interactive, and socially shareable environments drive attendee advocacy and community growth.
• Gain insight into modular scenic design strategies that support sustainability, brand consistency, and long-term event scalability.