Speakers
Monday Keynote Speaker
Erik Wahl, Artist
Erik Wahl is a recognized artist and speaker who inspires professionals to achieve greater levels of performance. His consulting firm, The Wahl Group, challenges organizations to implement breakthrough techniques to accomplish extraordinary results.
Erik’s unique understanding of vision traces back to his experience as an artist. Erik earned his bachelor’s degree in business communication before embarking on an eight-year career as a partner in a corporate firm. After first working in the business world and playing with his art, Erik now PLAYS in the business world by WORKING with his art. Erik’s sought-after artwork can be seen hanging in executive offices around the world. And as one of the country’s top platform speakers, Erik shares his powerful message with audiences from coast to coast.
Tuesday Plenary Speaker
John Mahaffie, Futurist
John Mahaffie has been a speaker and consultant on the future since
1987. He has authored more than three dozen futures studies for corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit groups. He is an author and speaker on the future of science and
technology, the environment, transportation and infrastructure, health and medicine, work and work life, telecommunications, and other future topics.
John gives courses and workshops on futures topics and techniques for corporations, government agencies, and trade and professional associations. His recent projects have included workshops on scenario development, studies on telecommunications, and research and presentation on the future of libraries.
John co-authored 2025: Scenarios of U.S. and Global Society Reshaped by Science and Technology (Oakhill, 1997) with Joe Coates and Andy Hines. Other books include From Scan to Plan: Integrating Trends into the Strategy-Making Process (ASAE, 2003), Future Work (Jossey-Bass, 1990), Managing Your Future as an Association (ASAE, 1994), and The Future of the Apartment Industry (NMHC, 1995).
John is co-founder and past board chair of the Association of Professional Futurists. In his spare time, he also helps lead the Northwest Washington Little League.
