FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER

Aaron Whigham is the founder and managing director of New U, with over 10 years of experience in business strategy and organizational development. He holds a Master's degree in Organization Development Change Management from Penn State University and is a Senior Pastor. As an experienced professional, his expertise spans nonprofit organizations, coaching, sales, conflict resolution, and team building. His particular strengths include process improvements, cost control, operational streamlining, and data processing, which he applies across various organizational contexts.

Session Description: Understanding the Self and Others with Aaron Whigham

Aaron guides travel industry professionals through a transformative exploration of self-discovery and interpersonal relationships. Through interactive lectures, group discussions, and the True Colors assessment activity, participants uncover their personal fuelers and stressors while learning to recognize and appreciate the unique qualities in themselves and others. The workshop incorporates proven methodologies to foster personal growth and team dynamics. This workshop is designed to enhance workplace relationships, helping professionals find deeper meaning in their work through a better understanding of how they naturally align with and serve others. Participants engage in hands-on activities and role-play exercises, leaving with practical tools and resources to apply these insights in their professional lives.

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS EXPERT

Jeff Chatterton is an internationally renowned crisis communications expert and best-selling author. He has conducted crisis management workshops across six continents, bringing extensive knowledge to diverse global contexts. His hands-on experience includes managing high-stakes situations, making him a go-to expert for organizations facing critical communications challenges. His track record includes helping a speciality airline in Tanzania recover from an accident to achieve 29% revenue growth one year on and assisting a hotel near an active volcano in Ecuador to remain open and sign two new major booking partners.

Session Description: Crisis Communications Workshop with Jeff Chatterton

In this insightful session, Jeff challenges traditional approaches to crisis communications in the tourism industry through an engaging workshop-style presentation. Participants explore innovative strategies that go beyond conventional crisis management plans, focusing on the psychology of audience response and trust-building during challenging situations. Through interactive discussions and practical examples, attendees learn cost-effective methods to transform potential crises into opportunities for business growth and customer relationship strengthening. This workshop equips professionals with modern approaches to managing media relations, stakeholder communications, and customer concerns, providing actionable strategies to maintain and enhance business reputation during challenging times.

CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

With 29 years of experience in the travel and experiential education industries, Dave Dennis is a recognized leader in risk management and safety strategy. As the founder of Cornerstone Safety Group, Dave has supported organizations of all sizes in developing systems and solutions to protect their businesses, staff, and travelers while maintaining the transformative experiences that make our industry unique. His collaborative approach focuses on raising the standard of care across the board, empowering organizations to "get to yes" while prioritizing safety and sustainability. Dave is passionate about equipping leaders with the tools they need to navigate complex challenges and foster a culture of safety, innovation, and excellence.

Session Description: Risk Management Roundtables with Dave Dennis

Throughout the retreat, Dave Dennis will bring nearly three decades of risk management expertise to the table, providing guidance on safeguarding your business, staff, and travelers without compromising on transformative adventures. In addition to sharing industry-specific insights, Dave will facilitate dynamic "roundtable" discussions where attendees will delve into critical topics, explore common challenges, and collaborate on actionable solutions. During these interactive sessions, participants will engage in peer-to-peer learning and problem-solving discussions. These sessions are designed to help you navigate the complexities of risk management while raising the standard of care across the industry.

CONSULTANT, COACH, & FACILITATOR

Paul Dreyer is an experienced education and outdoor leadership consultant who transitioned from CEO of Avid4 Adventure to serve as a Thought Partner at Responder Alliance, Strategy Associate at Where There Be Dragons, and Adjunct Professor in the Masters of the Environment program at the University of Colorado-Boulder. With a Master's Degree in Counseling and Wilderness EMT certification, Paul brings diverse expertise as a facilitator, curriculum designer, and risk management consultant across organizations including NOLS, High Mountain Institute, and Watershed School, specializing in expeditionary leadership and staff training.

Session Description: Feedback Culture Workshop with Paul Dreyer

In this session, Paul leads participants through building a more effective culture of candor and feedback within organizations. Through a blend of theoretical frameworks and practical applications, participants explore innovative approaches to gathering meaningful feedback from both customers and staff. The session combines foundational concepts about stakeholder engagement with hands-on group activities and conversations on real-world feedback tools. Building on Paul's philosophy that difficult conversations invariably lead to improvement, participants learn practical strategies for managing challenging dialogues and implementing effective feedback systems. The skills gained are immediately applicable to daily operations.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP & BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIST

Jay Cash is a seasoned business leader and entrepreneur with over three decades of experience spanning real estate development, corporate leadership, and business ownership. Having successfully founded, and scaled six companies while serving in Fortune 500 sales management roles, Jay brings deep expertise in building high-performance teams and driving organizational growth. His unique combination of hands-on entrepreneurial experience and corporate leadership provides him valuable insight as a strategic advisor, helping businesses unlock their potential through culture-driven leadership and operational excellence.

Session Description: Building Transformational Company Culture Through Strategic Leadership

In this dynamic session, Jay explores the critical intersection of leadership, organizational culture, and sustainable business growth. Drawing from his extensive experience across multiple industries, participants discover practical frameworks for cultivating thriving company cultures that drive both employee engagement and bottom-line results. In this session, Jay demonstrates how intentional leadership practices can transform team dynamics, boost performance, and create lasting organizational change. The session emphasizes actionable strategies for leveraging individual strengths, measuring team effectiveness, and implementing daily practices that reinforce positive cultural values. Participants leave equipped with concrete tools to assess their current organizational health and implement immediate improvements in their leadership approach.