Tony Hawk 

One of the most famous skateboarders of all time, Tony Hawk started winning amateur contests at the age of 12, and had turned pro by the young age of 14. Tony quickly became a force to be reckoned with, and by the age of 25, he’d competed in 103 pro contests, winning 73 of them and placing second in 19. He was also crowned vertical skating’s world champion 12 years in a row. Tony wasn’t content to let his journey stop there. He has since created his own skateboard company, clothing company, one of the most popular video game franchises in history, and touring action sports exhibitions. He has also authored two books and continues to regularly appear on television and in films.

Tony has won numerous awards, including Make-A-Wish’s Favorite Male Athlete, Teen Choice Awards’ Choice Male Athlete and Nickelodeon’s Kid’s Choice Awards’ Favorite Male Athlete, beating out such sports icons as Shaquille O’Neal, Tiger Woods, and Kobe Bryant. He is the most recognized Action Sports figure in the world and, according to some marketing surveys, one of the most recognizable athletes of any kind in the United States.

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DeAnna Hardwick

DeAnna Hardwick, Vice President of Customer Success, oversees Customer Experience, Customer Service, Metering Services, and Customer Revenue at CPS Energy. DeAnna has spent her career focused on delivering easy and exceptional customer experiences in the utility and insurance sectors.  

In her keynote, People First & Customer Experience Focus at CPS Energy, Deanna will share her thoughts on the evolution of ratepayers to consumers and how increased customer expectations require the creation of intentional and consistent experiences. She will also look ahead, envisioning a utility industry that focuses on connecting people, not technology. One that offers easy, smart, and on-demand solutions to the right customer at the right time.

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Erica Orange

Erica is Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of The Future Hunters, one of the world’s leading futurist consulting firms. She evaluates emerging social, technological, economic, political, demographic and environmental trends – and identifies the strategic implications (the “So what?”) of those trends for several of the most influential Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, and public sector clients. She has also authored numerous articles, book chapters, and industry white papers on cutting-edge, future-focused topics. A frequent columnist and blogger, Erica is recognized in the industry as having a unique, innovative, and fresh perspective.

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Jason Young

As a former senior-level manager at Southwest Airlines, Jason learned the value of a successful workplace culture. At Southwest, Jason was a key driver in creating and developing the company’s innovative training programs for its successful leadership and customer service culture. Today, as President of LeadSmart, Inc., Jason shares his vision in developing successful corporate cultures with forward-thinking companies, including Starbucks, IHOP, and Tyson Foods. Jason has also authored two books – The Culturetopia Effect and Servicetopia, which both capture his philosophy of creating high performance cultures.

Download the full agenda.

Monday, April 6, 2020

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Training Sessions

1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Early Arrival Event – Food and Drink Tour of Old Town Scottsdale

2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Early Arrival Event – Desert Botanical Garden Tour

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Welcome Dinner at the Omni

9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. – After Party at the Omni

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Conference Day 1

4:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Cocktail Reception with Exhibitor Hall

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Client Appreciation Dinner at El Chorro

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Conference Day 2

Early Arriver Event Option #1 – Food and Drink Walking Tour of Old Town Scottsdale

April 6, 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Bring your appetite and walking shoes as you taste your way through Scottsdale’s vibrant downtown. You will sample unique, local fare from three of the city’s not-to-be missed dining destinations as you take in the sights. Expect to walk 1-1.5 miles, but don’t expect to go hungry or thirsty as the tour also includes two cocktails and a decadent dessert.

Early Arriver Event Option #2 – Desert Botanical Garden with Private Tour

April 6, 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Discover the many wonders of the desert in this guided tour of the Desert Botanical Garden – one of the area’s most colorful, if prickly, attractions. As you walk through the gardens, you will see a wide variety of cactus and succulents from around the globe and will learn how these plants survive and flourish in the arid desert climate.

Welcome Dinner on the Kasbah Patio at the Omni

April 6, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Join us for dinner on the Kasbah Patio to officially kick off iConnect 2020. Feed your senses with Spanish-influenced cuisine and stunning views of Camelback Mountain as you dine poolside under the stars. This exotic oasis is an ideal setting to relax and mingle with fellow attendees.

Exhibitor Cocktail Reception in the Alhambra Foyer

April 7, 4:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enjoy a cocktail while exploring the booths of our generous sponsors. This valuable event gives you a chance to discover new customer experience solutions and discuss hot industry trends and topics with some of the most influential brands in the industry.

Client Appreciation Dinner at El Chorro 

April 7, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

You’re invited to dine at one of the area’s oldest restaurants. Originally the Judson School for Girls, it left its bookish beginnings behind when El Chorro opened its doors in 1937. This landmark location offers fresh, seasonally inspired and innovative dishes with a Southwestern flare. Pair that with a tequila tasting and margarita bar and that’s a recipe for a perfect Arizona evening!

Do you want to attend iConnect, but you’re worried about getting the trip approved? To help you out, we’ve drafted an example letter to send to your boss. You can take bits and pieces, or copy and paste the entire thing. Don’t forget to update the highlighted section first! 

We’ve found that key points to focus on include ways the conference benefits you, and how you will be able to bring great tools and resources back to the rest of your team. If costs are a concern, we’ve also added free registration and accommodations to attendees who submit a “Call for Presenters” and are selected to speak. This can greatly reduce costs, and can be the deciding point for your boss. You can find the “Call for Presenters” form below.

Download the full, editable letter here.

Looking for even more info on iConnect? Check out our full event brochure here!

Interested in sponsoring iConnect 2020? 

Attending and sponsorsing iConnect 2020 is your chance to connect with key decision-makers at utilities across North America. Put your brand in front of leaders looking for customer service solutions in their industry and sit in on presentations where attendees discuss their goals and pain points in a unique, interactive setting.

Download our brochure for available sponsorships and the recognition your company can expect to receive as an iConnect 2020 sponsor. If you have any questions or would like to secure a sponsorship, contact Ashley Elmer at ashley.elmer@kubra.com.