Leadership Experience

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Kansas City, Kansas
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December 3-5, 2025
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Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City
Smart Meetings Hosted Buyer Experiences are 100% complimentary for qualified meeting planners.
Elevate Your Event Experience at Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City
Discover a whole new dimension of meetings and events at Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City! This vibrant property, situated in the Heart of America, features over 14,000 square feet of dynamic indoor and outdoor gathering space. With a range of adaptable layouts and state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment, the hotel is perfect for everything from intimate meetings to grand celebrations.
INNOVATIVE IDEAS

Candy Whirley
Candy is a nationally recognized speaker and event partner who uses humor, heart, and real-world insight to bring people together and spark meaningful change. Known for getting even the most reserved participants engaged, she customizes every experience to connect with audiences in a way that’s personal, practical, and unforgettable. From breakout rooms to big stages, Candy equips leaders with tools they can use immediately—plus a new cheer, a fresh mindset, and proof that connection, collaboration, and a little fun can go a long way.
It Takes 4 to Tango
Discover how understanding personality styles can improve communication, boost collaboration, and strengthen leadership. In this engaging session, Candy shares her 4C’s of Leadership—Confidence, Communication, Creativity, and Change—and how they apply in real workplace situations.
You’ll also explore the basics of Emotional Intelligence and learn practical tools to manage emotions, deliver effective feedback, and connect with others more authentically.
Key Takeaways:
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Identify and adapt to different personality styles
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Apply the 4C’s to lead with confidence and creativity
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Use emotional intelligence to stay calm under pressure
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Communicate and give feedback with clarity and impact
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Shift your mindset: people aren’t difficult, just different

Michael V. Ivanov
Michael is a motivational speaker and best-selling author who has inspired millions with his never give up attitude. Michael Ivanov uses humor, authenticity and powerful storytelling to help leaders reconnect with what matters most. His practical success principles give audiences the tools to face fear, lead boldly and pursue their dreams with clarity and urgency. Born in the former Soviet Union and the grandson of a Siege of Leningrad and Dachau camp survivor, Michael’s story is one of grit, hope and proof that impossible dreams can come true.
5 success principles for thinking and Achieving beyond your boundaries
Whether you need a shift in perspective or upgrade your thinking, Michael will help you get from “ambition” to “accomplishment.”
Michael’s message of radical possibility combined with his ‘5 success principles for thinking and Achieving beyond your boundaries’ leaves audiences not only inspired but also equipped with tools to tackle the seemingly insurmountable.
In this session, attendees will understand the importance of taking personal responsibility and immediate action and develop a plan to drive them forward towards their goals.
The 5 principles taught in this keynote:
1. To each, according to their abilities.
2. A talent buried is a talent lost.
3. The time is now!
4. Do not concern yourself with your neighbor’s wages.
5. Those who invest will receive more, those who wait will lose everything.
AUTHENTIC CONNECTIONS
Leadership Experience Schedule
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 - All Times Local Standard Time
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm | White Glove Welcome: Guest Registration & Gifting Lounge & Check-In |
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm | Idea Exchange - Keynote Speaker |
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Explore the Floor: Property Tour |
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm | Networking Celebration: Reception & Dinner |
Thursday, December 4, 2025 - All Times Local Standard Time
7:30 am - 8:30 am | Breakfast Social |
8:45am - 10:00 am | Instant Start to Smart - Keynote Speaker |
10:15 am - 12:30 pm | Meet Your Matches |
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm | Luncheon |
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Build & Bond Brilliantly: Team Activity |
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm | #MeTime |
6:00 pm - 9:30 pm | Ms. B’s Offsite Bash |
Friday, December 5, 2025 - All Times Local Standard Time
7:30 am -9:00 am | Breakfast Social |
9:00 am - 12:00 pm | Meet Your Matches |
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Seal the Deal Feast: Luncheon |
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm | #Departures |
The Details
Smart Meetings Hosted Buyer Experiences are 100% complimentary for qualified meeting planners. Hotels and Destination Partners, please contact our sales team at [email protected] for your best available rate.
We use a sophisticated software to custom match our planners with premier properties and destinations that fit your business needs, region, budget and venue preferences. As the event nears, planners and suppliers will have the opportunity to select their appointment preferences to ensure their highest attendee satisfaction.
A qualified Meeting Planner can attend (1) one hosted buyer experience annually based on business needs. Hotels and destination partners may attend unlimited events. Contact our Sales Team for more information at [email protected]
Kansas City International Airport (MCI)