Convention Speakers
 


Convention Speakers

KEYNOTE SPEAKER – Thursday, January 22, 2026
Time 3:30PM – 4:45PM – Part 1 – “The New Behavior of Hungry Consumers”

Speaker – Dr. Thomas Weinandy, Principal Research Economist at Upside

  Dr. Weinandy kicks off his first talk by diving into the state of spending at restaurants and ice cream parlors.  He will ignore media headlines and show actual data on how the food service and frozen treat sectors are performing nationally, focusing on the trends across important measures like check size, foot traffic, daily revenue, and consumer choice.

Friday, January 23, 2026
Time 8:45AM – 11:00AM – Part 2 – “The Changing Economic Climate: Will You Survive or Thrive?”

Tariffs & Inflation & Recessions, Oh My!  In his second talk, Dr. Weinandy will explore the state of the U.S. economy and the forces shaping its next chapter.  He will cover what matters to food service operators and what is likely to happen around prices, interest rates, household finances, and consumer sentiment.  By the end, you will have a better grasp on such economic mysteries like; If consumers are so pessimistic, why do they keep spending? Which headwinds and tailwinds are most likely to change the economy tomorrow?  What are the odds of a recession happening this year?

Dr. Thomas Weinandy holds a B.A. in Social Entrepreneurship from John Carroll University, an M.B.A. from Wheeling Jesuit University, and a Ph.D. in Applied Economics from Western Michigan University.  He leads the company’s industry research and analyzes billions of real-world transactions to uncover meaningful trends in consumer behavior.  His work helps retailers understand how price sensitivity, inflation, and competition affect where people shop – and what earns their repeat business.

 

FEATURE SPEAKER – Thursday, January 22, 2026

Time 10:45am – 11:45am – Clicks to Cones – Today’s Digital Marketing
Speaker – Theresa Mosley, Owner Mosley School of Cosmetology

Theresa will show you how to turn clicks, likes, and messages into real customers walking through your doors.  You’ll learn how to use a CRM and tools like Go High Level to organize heads, automate follow-up with email and text marketing, and run social media campaigns that actually convert.  You will leave with a follow-up with a simple, repeatable digital marketing roadmap they can start using right away – no tech background required.

 Theresa is an entrepreneur, school owner, and digital marketing strategists who has helped dozens of service-based businesses turn online attention into consistent revenue.  As the Founder and Executive Director of Mosley School of Cosmetology in Grand Rapids Michigan, she grew her school from $1,600 start-up into a multi-million-dollar institution by leveraging CRM systems, automation, and social media.  Theresa now trains business owners and teams to use simple, practical technology to streamline operations, increase sales, and create memorable customer experiences.

FEATURE SPEAKER – Thursday, January 22, 2026
Time 12:45PM – 1:45PM – Driving Dollars with Delivery Service
Speaker – Amy Hilton, Program Manager Entrepreneurship Initiatives, Grand Valley State University

In this workshop, we’ll explore how to expand your reach, boost order volume, and satisfy customer cravings through seamless delivery options like DoorDash.  Learn how to optimize your menu, protect product quality in transit, and create delivery experiences that build loyalty and keep customers coming back for more.

Thursday, January 22, 2026
Time 2:00PM – 3:15PM – Building Loyalty through Customer Care

In the ice cream business, great customer service is the extra scoop that keeps customers coming back.  This workshop explores how warm interactions, personalized recommendations, and consistent service can turn a simple treat into a memorable experience.  You’ll learn practical strategies for creating joyful moments, whether you’re serving at the counter, managing a rush, or handing off a delivery order, that build trust, loyalty, and repeat business.  Discover how serving smiles truly grows your shop’s success.

Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and multiple professional certificates, including Project Management, SAFe Agile, Employee Relations, Six Sigma, and Facilitation.  Amy excels in entrepreneurship initiatives, driving process improvements, and collaborating with teams to solve challenges while creating environments where environments where innovations can thrive.  Amy is the owner of Idea Point, a consulting firm, focusing on helping small businesses strengthen their strategy and develop impactful training programs.