Hospitality Summit

This session will delve into the core components of emotional intelligence (EI) and its vital role in effective leadership. We will explore how self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills can transform your interactions with guests, colleagues, and teams.

In the fast-paced and often high-stress environment of hospitality, leaders with high EI can navigate challenges with grace, foster positive work cultures, and drive exceptional guest experiences. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, you will learn how to enhance your emotional intelligence, cultivate resilience, and lead with authenticity. By understanding and managing your own emotions, and recognizing and influencing the emotions of others, you will be equipped to inspire and motivate your teams, creating environments where everyone thrives.

Join us for an engaging and interactive session that will empower you to harness the power of emotional intelligence, setting the stage for a successful and fulfilling career in hospitality.

Passionately committed to talent development, Eduardo Duran is an enthusiastic hospitality leader with a profound understanding of hotel operations, having collaborated with premier luxury companies in the industry. Renowned for his positive and inspiring coaching style, he excels at motivating individuals to exceed current performance levels and unlock their full potential. He customizes his teaching approach to cater to specific audiences, ensuring each experience is as unique as its participants.

Duran’s journey in hospitality started at 16 and ignited a profound passion for service. Upon graduation, he embarked on his professional path at Starwood Hotels, where he assumed various leadership roles, including director of housekeeping, front office manager, service culture trainer, Six Sigma Black Belt, and POI (Power of Innovation) team member.

Transitioning to management roles at Ritz Carlton hotels across the United States and internationally, he served as learning manager, director of housekeeping, rooms operation manager, and assistant rooms executive. He also spearheaded creating and implementing training programs to enrich service culture, elevate guest satisfaction and optimize revenue. Eduardo played a pivotal role in the expansion of the Miami Beach-based James brand. He served as the opening Hotel Manager for The James Royal Palm, supervising the historic property’s $50 million transformation and rebranding. He also served as the Miami Beach Soho House’s assistant general manager; he contributed to the launch of properties in Istanbul, Chicago and Barcelona.

Duran subsequently assumed the role of general manager for EB Hotel Miami. He served as Forbes Travel Guide’s senior executive trainer before founding Insight Hospitality Solutions in 2020. Duran is a corporate speaker and university lecturer who volunteers in his free time for Autism Speaks.

A Boston native, Hope Caldwell '03 carved her educational path at Johnson & Wales University, specializing in International Travel & Tourism and Event Management.

The youngest of six siblings, Caldwell spent more than 10 years mastering various facets of the high-end event industry at a top-tier establishment, including logistics, destination management, and event design. Her commitment to aiding the underserved in developing countries is evident in her role on the Board of Directors for One World Health and her leadership in organizing mission trips to Africa through OWH. Her efforts were celebrated with the 2018 Social Impact Award from Local Choice, following the inception of the KLH Group, which forges meaningful connections between clients and social causes.

In 2017, Caldwell established Doors to Dream, a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring and providing employment to high school students in need. She also co-founded The Spokes Group, with a vision to gift bicycles to deserving children, fostering health and wellness.

Throughout her distinguished career in hospitality, Caldwell and her team have masterfully crafted lavish corporate gatherings for a range of Fortune 500 firms, making a profound difference in the lives of over 200,000 people via the KLH Group’s philanthropic endeavors.