Tuesday Opening Keynote
Open to All Attendees
Tuesday, April 9 | 8:00 am-9:30 am
Paul Bailey
Former Principal Concept Technical Director for Walt Disney Imagineering
The Art of the Impossible
Paul worked in multiple roles at Walt Disney Imagineering, totaling 15 years of combined service on global projects. Paul was the Principal Concept Technical Director for Imagineering, responsible for the Star Wars land expansions at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and for setting the overall creative technology strategy. Using his expertise in illusions, special effects, and show technology integration, Paul developed the projection system used in Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and directed the delivery of the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction. He was also responsible for bringing all the Astromech droids to life in the land, gaining him the illustrious distinction of “R2D2 expert.”
In his keynote, Paul will provide anecdotes about the creation of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and other “moonshot” projects while discussing the “why” and deep purpose behind the decisions made, as well as the human side of leading a team while attempting projects of such magnitude.
Wednesday Luncheon Keynote
Separate Registration Required
Wednesday, April 10 | 12:00 pm-1:30 pm
Dr. John W. Mitchell
President and CEO
IPC
The Future of the Human Workforce: Maximizing Potential in an Automated World
In this engaging talk, John explores the transformative impact of automation, artificial intelligence, and responsive technology, and dispels doubts about the role humans will have in this changing landscape.
Using his depth of experience, John provides actionable solutions to maintain interpersonal engagement and harness the true potential of employees. Participants will learn how to embrace technology advancements, close knowledge gaps efficiently, and gamify workforce development for increased productivity. They will also gain insights into the measurable return on investment of team development efforts, supported by real case studies and data.
This talk will empower leaders to navigate the future with confidence, creating a thriving, future-ready workforce.
Key Takeaways
- Discover practical strategies for incorporating technology advancements to enhance employee experiences, capabilities, and efficiency.
- Learn effective techniques to design and implement learning activities that close knowledge gaps, maximizing the value of team learning time.
- Explore the power of gamification in workforce development, uncovering how it can increase interpersonal engagement and productivity within organizations.
BIO: Dr. John W. Mitchell, IPC president and CEO, best-selling author, is a leading expert on solving global workforce issues. A big-picture thinker who routinely works with global leaders from more than 3,000 companies worldwide, Dr. Mitchell has made it his mission to bring innovative and original systems and frameworks to hiring, developing, and retaining talent. In his keynote talks, Dr. Mitchell shares inspiring stories of companies and organizations that have adapted to fundamental workforce changes by focusing on what matters most – the human beings they hired. He delivers the key business strategies and management directions to recruit and retain the best talent for your companies. Whether you’re a seasoned CEO or a workplace neophyte, Dr. Mitchell can help you build a successful workplace in a rapidly changing landscape. He will share practical, actionable insights that you can implement immediately.
Thursday Closing Keynote
Open to All Attendees
Thursday, April 11 | 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Shawn DuBravac
Chief Economist
IPC
The Next Wave in Electronics: Trends Reshaping Our Industry
Ride the wave of change as we explore the trends revolutionizing the electronics industry. From AI's breakthroughs to other emerging shifts, uncover the dynamic changes paving the way for a new era of innovation and growth. Join us as we navigate this exciting journey towards a more connected and technologically advanced future.
BIO: As IPC’s chief economist, internationally recognized thought leader, global futurist and trendcaster, Shawn DuBravac works to expand IPC’s research program and provide insights on the biggest issues facing the $2 trillion global electronics industry, including supply chain resiliency/uncertainty, trade wars, skilled workforce shortage, and the expanding role of electronics in the global economy.
DuBravac has taught at the George Washington University School of Business, American University’s Kogod School of Business, the George Mason University School of Business, Marymount University School of Business, and the University of Mary Washington. He holds economic degrees from Brigham Young University and George Mason University.