Bran Ferren
Creative Technologist, Imagineer, 3-time Academy Award Winner

One of the most innovative people you will ever meet. One of the most compelling speakers you will ever hear. Bran Ferren bridges the worlds of technology, creativity, and entertainment like no other. He was president of the world-renowned Walt Disney Imagineering Group, and won three Academy Awards for technical achievement (Altered States, Little Shop of Horrors, Star Trek VI). Now, he helps some of the leading technology companies innovate and invent, and is heavily involved with the US government in counter-terrorism technology. He is senior advisory board member for science, advanced technology, and innovation management to seven US Government agencies and the US Senate. You will never forget meeting and hearing Bran Ferren.

Brendan Hoffman
President and CEO, Neiman Marcus Direct

The direct marketing and fulfillment business of The Neiman Marcus Group, Neiman Marcus Direct produces more than 80 catalogs annually for the Neiman Marcus and Horchow brands, including the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. Mr. Hoffman is also responsible for Neiman Marcus Online, which operates Web sites under NeimanMarcus.com, BergdorfGoodman.com, and Horchow.com. Neiman Marcus Direct generates sales of 500 million dollars per year and has a staff of over 1500 employees.

Mr. Hoffman has been with The Neiman Marcus Group since 1998, serving in both the Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus divisions, where he has held positions in both merchandising and management. Before joining Neiman Marcus, Mr. Hoffman held positions with Deloitte Consulting and Lord and Taylor.

Patricia Seybold
Founder and CEO, Patricia Seybold Group

With 28 years of experience consulting to customer-centric executives in technology-aggressive businesses across many industries, Seybold is a visionary thought leader with the unique ability to spot the impact that technology enablement and customer behavior will have on business trends. She forecasts the ways in which both business and consumer customers will make new demands on companies. Seybold provides strategic insights, technology guidance, and best practices.

Seybold is an internationally acclaimed best-selling author. Customers.com (1998), looks at how thriving companies designed their e-business strategies to improve revenues, profitability, and customer loyalty. The Customer Revolution (2001) discusses how global businesses manage by and for customer value while improving the customer experience they deliver. Most recently, she co-authored Brandchild (2003). Her books have been translated into over 10 languages.