Page 33 - GBC ENG Winter 2025

KEYNOTES THAT STILL ECHO
Close to 50 keynote speakers have
stood on the conference stage. While
styles may have varied - some
funny, some fierce, some deeply
moving - each left a mark.
In Niagara Falls, Paul Huschilt
worked undercover as a delegate,
chatting casually with attendees for
days before revealing himself in the
closing keynote. His satirical
performance, stitched from those
conversations, had delegates crying
with laughter. A year later in
Vancouver, the mood shifted to awe
as Gary Player took the stage.
Delegates leaned in to catch every
word of his stories and lessons. That
same year, Olympian Vince
Poscente raised the energy to a fever
pitch, recreated his gold medal ski
run with pounding music and video
footage, sending the ballroom to its
feet.
More recently in Calgary, Rhett
Evans transported the audience to
the summit of Mount Everest. With
photos, audio clips, and raw
emotion, he reminded everyone
what it means to “lead out” every
day. Delegates walked away
inspired, and one captured it
perfectly: “I unzip every morning
and lead out.”
These are just a few highlights
in a long list that also includes
breakout stars and surprise
personalities. Among the most
impactful was Captain Michael
Abrashoff, former Commander of
the USS Benfold. His keynote drew
powerful parallels between turning
around a struggling naval ship and
leading a golf operation. With his
mantra “It’s your ship,” he showed
how empowering people and
reshaping culture can transform
results. His message resonated
deeply and he remains one of the
highest-rated speakers in conference
history.
THE TRADE SHOW ADVANTAGE
Ask any long-time delegate, and
chances are they’ll have a favourite
trade show memory. Over 25 years,
the floor has never been static - it
has shifted and adapted, always
finding new ways to bring people
together.
There were years when a demo
zone let delegates see products in
action, and others when education
stages brought learning into the
heart of the show. Food and
beverage sampling became a staple,
drawing crowds to try something
new while sparking conversations
with suppliers. Each change added
energy and made the floor more
than just a place to browse booths -
it became a place to connect.
That sense of excitement has
also been fueled by prizing.
Delegates gather as names are
drawn, knowing that hundreds of
thousands of dollars in prizing have
been awarded over the years,
adding an element of anticipation to
the conversations happening all
around them.
But what people remember
most isn’t giveaways or floor
layouts - it’s the relationships.
Exhibitors talk about meeting
owners and operators who can
make decisions on the spot.
Delegates recall conversations that
turned into partnerships lasting
years. Nearly 1,400 exhibitors from
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