Top 10 Customer Service & Experience Speakers to Elevate Events

September 16, 2025

Brian Lord

President

Top 10 Customer Service & Experience Speakers to Elevate Events

Great customer service doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built by leaders who understand how to create remarkable experiences that keep customers coming back. The speakers below have spent careers transforming organizations through hospitality, empathy and innovation. Here’s why they’re worth considering for your next event.

Will Guidara

Author of Unreasonable Hospitality and co owner of Eleven Madison Park

Will Guidara is the hospitality visionary who helped elevate Eleven Madison Park to a four star New York Times rating and three Michelin stars. His leadership and obsession with hospitality took the restaurant to #1 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2017. Guidara co authored several cookbooks, launched the Welcome Conference to foster industry collaboration and was named to Crain’s New York Business “40 Under 40” list.

Why book him? Guidara’s keynote explores “unreasonable hospitality” and how to turn ordinary transactions into memorable experiences. He teaches leaders to empower teams, innovate in service and build cultures where every employee takes ownership of the guest experience.

Brittany Hodak

Customer experience strategist and author of Creating Superfans

Brittany Hodak developed the “SUPER Model” framework for turning customers into raving fans. An award winning entrepreneur, she built an entertainment agency that collaborated with artists like Dolly Parton and KISS and generated eight figure revenues. Hodak’s book Creating Superfans drew praise from Forbes, and she has written hundreds of articles for outlets including Success, Adweek and Inc.. Her customized keynotes are research backed and have been sought after by brands such as American Express, Walmart and Disney.

Why book her? Brittany helps organizations build loyalty by aligning customer experience with storytelling and brand values. Audiences learn how to identify “superfan” moments, personalize touchpoints and differentiate their brand in crowded markets.

Dennis Snow

Former Disney leader and customer service consultant

With more than 20 years at Walt Disney World, Dennis Snow rose from front line operator to leadership roles where he developed training programs that formed the foundation of Disney’s customer centric culture. He later launched a consulting division that became the Disney Institute’s fastest growing venture and taught Disney University’s “Traditions” program. Today he helps organizations improve service, employee development and leadership through speaking and consulting, and he authored Unleashing Excellence and Lessons from the Mouse.

Why book him? Snow translates Disney level service excellence into actionable strategies for any organization. He shows leaders how to empower front line staff, create consistent experiences and build a culture of “wow.”

Jay Baer

Customer experience researcher and marketing strategist

Jay Baer has spent three decades advising more than 700 companies—including Nike, Oracle, Bentley and the United Nations—on how to gain and keep customers. A seventh generation entrepreneur, he has founded five multimillion dollar companies and written seven bestselling books. Recognized as a Global Guru in internet marketing and customer experience and inducted into the Professional Speaking Hall of Fame, Baer hosts multiple podcasts and even moonlights as a tequila influencer.

Why book him? Jay Baer blends research and humor to show that speed and convenience are the secrets to customer loyalty. He shares data driven insights on what customers really want and offers frameworks for creating experiences worth talking about.

Dan Gingiss

Customer experience coach and author

Dan Gingiss advocates that remarkable experiences are the best competitive advantage. He spent 20 years leading customer experience, marketing and social media teams at McDonald’s, Discover and Humana. Gingiss wrote The Experience Maker and co hosts the award winning podcast Experience This!, and he holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Northwestern University. He brings a unique flair to presentations—including his status as a licensed bartender and pinball wizard.

Why book him? Gingiss demystifies customer experience with simple, memorable frameworks. His sessions help audiences design signature moments, leverage social media for customer care and turn happy customers into enthusiastic promoters.

Shep Hyken

Customer service expert and New York Times bestselling author

Shep Hyken has spent more than 30 years helping organizations create exceptional customer experiences and build loyalty. Founder of Shepard Presentations, he advises businesses of all sizes and industries—from Fortune 500 companies to small firms—on customer service, customer loyalty and developing a customer centric culture. His bestselling books include The Amazement Revolution, The Cult of the Customer and Be Amazing or Go Home. Hyken’s engaging presentations mix humor with practical takeaways, and his expertise has earned him induction into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame.

Why book him? Hyken teaches teams how to create “moments of amazement” that go beyond satisfying customers to delighting them. He shares proven techniques for building loyalty, handling complaints and using technology to enhance human connection.

Elizabeth Dixon

Customer experience champion and serial entrepreneur

Elizabeth Dixon connects with executives and their teams by integrating strategy, innovation and leadership into customer experience programs. Her book The Power of Customer Experience outlines proven elements for creating lasting impact. Dixon’s nearly 20 year career at the Chick fil A Support Center spanned service and hospitality, strategy, R&D and human resources. Mentored by leaders like Dan Cathy and Horst Schulze, she now serves as CEO of the Trilith Foundation and leads Slumber Sleepwear while sharing insights worldwide.

Why book her? Dixon empowers audiences to embed purpose and hospitality into every customer interaction. She draws on corporate and entrepreneurial experience to teach innovation at all levels and inspire teams to pursue continuous improvement.

Jason Young

Former Southwest Airlines manager and culture building expert

Jason Young spent a decade as a senior level manager at Southwest Airlines, consistently ranked No. 1 in customer service and employee satisfaction. He helped develop the airline’s innovative training programs that created its celebrated leadership and customer service culture. In 1998 he founded LeadSmart, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in culture, leadership and team building. As president, he has worked with clients like Starbucks, IHOP, Radio Shack and Tyson Foods. His books, The Culturetopia Effect and Servicetopia, capture his philosophy on high performance cultures.

Why book him? Young’s keynote presentations highlight the practices that made Southwest Airlines a customer service legend. He guides audiences through building cultures of accountability, empowering employees and sustaining engagement long after the applause ends.

Susan Salgado

Leadership and culture advisor with an academic foundation

Susan Salgado helps businesses drive results by creating remarkable workplaces built on hospitality and culture. For nearly 20 years she has advised leaders across more than 20 industries on boosting employee engagement, improving customer experience and building enduring cultures. Salgado holds a Ph.D. in organizational behavior from NYU’s Stern School of Business and served nearly two decades as an executive, consultant and partner in Danny Meyer’s acclaimed New York restaurant group. Her insights combine real world hospitality experience with rigorous research.

Why book her? Salgado equips leaders to center hospitality in their operations and make employees feel their best so they deliver exceptional customer experiences. Her talks offer strategies for culture change, employee retention and human centric leadership.

Horst Schulze

Legendary hotelier and co founder of The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company

Horst Schulze’s visionary principles have reshaped service and hospitality worldwide. He began his career as a server’s assistant in Germany and worked at Hilton and Hyatt before co founding The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company in 1983, where he created the operating and service standards that became world famous. As president and COO, Schulze led the company to become the first service based business to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award twice. He later founded the Capella Hotel Group, further defining luxury hospitality, and continues to consult and serve on boards across industries.

Why book him? Schulze teaches that excellence comes from empowering employees and designing systems that deliver consistent, emotional connections. His stories from building The Ritz Carlton’s “gold standard” inspire leaders to pursue uncompromising quality and service.

Choosing the Right Customer Experience Speaker

When selecting a customer service or experience speaker, consider your audience’s needs and the current challenges facing your organization. These speakers range from hospitality legends and Disney veterans to cutting edge entrepreneurs and researchers. Each brings a unique perspective—whether you’re looking to transform culture, create superfans, innovate service delivery or reimagine hospitality. Our team at Premiere Speakers Bureau can help match you with the perfect speaker to inspire your team and delight your customers.

Ready to elevate your next event? Contact us today to explore availability and pricing.