Our fourth and final Virtual Exchange of the year takes place tomorrow, Nov. 2, from 12 p.m.-2 p.m. ET. These live, complimentary events are a great place to interact with experts in the industry, so make sure to get your questions ready! If you can’t attend the livestream, you can still register and receive a recording of all the sessions post-event. Here are more details on the incredible speakers that will be joining the Virtual Exchange:

  • Christina Rice is a serial entrepreneur, health and wellness creative, and certified yoga and meditation instructor. Having launched her first business at 21, a high-end women and men’s boutique in Nashville, she has always been a self-starter and entrepreneur at heart. After four years in business, Christina sold the store and relocated to New York City where she embarked on a 13-year storied career in public relations. In the spring of 2015, experiencing “entrepreneur burnout,” Christina decided to pursue her yoga teacher certification. She had a passion to share with other entrepreneurs and busy professionals how yoga transformed her life. In March 2017, she launched OMNoire, a social wellness platform for black women and women of color. Currently, OMNoire has a community of over 40,000-plus women who are looking to reset, recharge and redesign their lives. In 2019, Inc. Magazine voted Christina as one of the 100 Women Building America’s Most Ambitious and Innovative Companies, which was featured in its October issue.

 

  • Before retiring in August 2021, Rachel Humphrey served as the executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), the nation’s largest and most influential hotel owners association. She served as a member of its executive leadership team and, in 2019, was named its interim president and CEO. Humphrey joined AAHOA in 2015 after more than 20 years as a trial lawyer. Humphrey has been recognized as one of the most “Influential Women in Hospitality” and included in the “100 Most Powerful People in USA Hospitality.” In addition, she has received numerous awards and recognitions for her leadership and service to the hospitality industry. She’s dedicated to advancing women in leadership in the hospitality industry. Humphrey is the founder of Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance and is a board member, principal and interview host for DEI Advisors. She also serves on the boards of Women in Travel Thrive and the Kennesaw State University Coles College of Business.

 

  • David Kong is the founder and principal of DEI Advisors, an Arizona nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering personal success. When Kong retired as president and chief executive officer of BWH Hotel Group (comprised of Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Sure Stay Hotels, and WorldHotels) at the end of 2021, he did so as the longest-running CEO of any major hotel company. His leadership and legacy, characterized by a genuine care for people and a passion for hospitality, attracted praise and respect from leading voices across the industry. Kong led Best Western Hotels & Resorts to unprecedented growth, transforming the company and expanding its portfolio from one brand to 18 distinct brands in every chain scale segment and achieving successive new records in RevPAR and EBIDA growth. Prior to Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Kong held leadership positions with KPMG Consulting, Hyatt, Omni, and Hilton.

 

  • Crystal Vinisse Thomas is a brand management and marketing leader with over 15 years international experience driving brand innovation and operational excellence, crafting memorable guest experiences, creating global brand marketing campaigns, and executing branded events and partnerships. She currently heads up the lifestyle and luxury brands at Hyatt Hotels — including Park Hyatt, Thompson, Alila, Andaz, Hyatt Centric, and Caption by Hyatt — guiding the strategy and vision of an ever-growing portfolio. A veteran hotelier and alumni of Cornell University’s Hotel School, Thomas held several brand leadership roles with W Hotels Worldwide and most previously served as senior brand marketer for Beats by Dre @ Apple, Inc., overseeing the NBA partnership and all things sports.

“See” you on Wednesday!