sko quad cities 2026 agenda
★★★
sko quad cities 2026 agenda ★★★
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29th
advanced registration required
Register now! You don’t want to miss this amazing event!
CHECK IN
12:15pm - 12:45pm
WELCOME
1:00pm
introduction
Rob Ferre, CSP is an international keynote speaker, emcee, and entertainer who energizes audiences with his unique blend of humor, insight, and connection. Creator of Teamification, Rob helps organizations boost collaboration and align talent with purpose. With 1,500+ events across 4 continents, he’s worked with Disney, Amazon, and Nickelodeon, and emceed Star Wars Celebration and Comic Con.
His interactive approach leaves audiences inspired, engaged, and ready to take action.
Meet your Emcee - Rob Ferre!
Dustin E. James is an internationally recognized keynote speaker and Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) who helps organizations think bolder, connect deeper, and perform at their highest level. Known for his unforgettable storytelling and dynamic stage presence, Dustin blends real-world business strategy with creative inspiration to spark transformation in every audience he serves.
A trusted voice for audiences nationwide, Dustin consistently delivers high-impact experiences that drive measurable results.
Your Host & Keynote Speaker - Dustin James
In a marketplace driven by metrics, the real differentiator is still human connection. This high-energy, practical keynote redefines how business professionals approach growth — by putting people first. Discover how to turn simple gestures into meaningful moments that drive loyalty, trust, and revenue.
Unlock the power of people. Build relationships that expand professionally in a profound and personalized manner.
Humanize Before You Monetize: T.I.E. Relationships to Revenue
OPENING KEYNOTE
BREAK
2:15pm - 2:30pm
workshop
2:30pm
Sell the Experience: Give Customers what they Really Want
This high-energy, interactive workshop equips you with real-world strategies to turn everyday interactions into unforgettable brand moments. Learn how to scale world-class service, leverage storytelling to differentiate your brand, and intentionally optimize every customer touchpoint.
You’ll leave prepared and empowered to elevate the customer experience, build lasting loyalty, accelerate growth, and lead with customer-centric excellence in today’s competitive marketplace.
CAPSTONE
3:30pm
True Differentiation: Ideas That Set You Apart
In a crowded marketplace, originality wins. This fast-paced, interactive session explores 20 strategy-driven ideas that spark creativity, strengthen connection, and unlock new opportunity. Designed as the perfect closing experience, this workshop pushes thinking beyond the ordinary and equips you with bold ideas you can put into action immediately.
Social Hour & Celebration
4:10pm - 5:00pm
Stay for the connections. Leave with momentum.
Wrap up SKO 2026 with a relaxed social hour designed for connection and fun. Enjoy light snacks, a cash bar, raffle prize drawings, and time to network with fellow attendees and speakers. This is your chance to unwind, celebrate the day, and turn great conversations into meaningful connections.
SKO 2026 Featured Speakers
dustin e. james, csp
True differentiation never comes from duplication - and Dustin E. James has built his work around helping organizations stand out by creating experiences people remember. An in-demand keynote speaker, trainer, and business strategist, Dustin blends creativity, storytelling, and human-centered thinking to elevate how teams connect, communicate, and perform.
With firsthand experience as a top performer across four different industries, Dustin understands the moments that shape customer perception and drive lasting loyalty. His approach focuses on intentional relationship-building, creative problem-solving, and designing meaningful touchpoints that turn everyday interactions into lasting brand moments. The teams and organizations he has supported have collectively driven more than $30 million in growth, fueled by stronger connection and customer-focused execution.
Known for his dynamic storytelling and engaging delivery, Dustin creates immersive learning experiences that challenge conventional thinking and inspire fresh perspective. His sessions equip leaders and teams to think differently, communicate more creatively, and lead with purpose—long after the event ends.
Dustin’s businesses and work have been featured on FOX, ABC, NBC, and CBS, and his presentations consistently leave audiences energized, aligned, and ready to create experiences that truly set them apart.
ROB FERRE, CSP
Rob Ferre brings high-energy engagement, infectious joy, and masterful audience connection to SKO 2026 as your event emcee. A Certified Speaking Professional, international emcee, and globally recognized game show host, Rob has spent nearly two decades transforming events from ordinary to unforgettable.
As the creator of Teamification®—Where Team Building Meets Gamification, Rob blends music, humor, and interactive play to ignite participation and connection. His dynamic approach has energized audiences for world-class brands including Amazon, Disney, and LinkedIn. From Dubai and Tokyo to London and Singapore, Rob has emceed headline events around the globe, captivating audiences with empathic curiosity, spontaneous brilliance, and contagious enthusiasm.
At SKO 2026 in the Quad Cities, Rob will guide attendees from “me” to “we,” infusing the experience with purposeful interaction, exactly-what-to-say moments, and high-impact engagement that fuels collaboration, connection, and momentum throughout the day.
When he’s not on stage, Rob is a devoted theme-park enthusiast on a mission to visit every Disney and Universal park worldwide. He and his wife call Salt Lake City home, where they share life with their three rescue cats—Cricket, Nimbus, and Nova.
It’s time to take action!
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Thank you for your generosity!
Reminder, proceeds will benefit the Quad Cities Alzheimer’s Association!
