Henderson Hospitality Summit

The text on the image reads "The Henderson Hospitality Summit: Rooted in the spirit of Unreasonable Hospitality, the Henderson Hospitality Movement unites the people who make our town thrive. Business owners, civic leaders, and neighbors share one goal: to make Henderson, Kentucky, the most hospitable town in America. We believe true hospitality is not a gesture but a mindset that turns ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences through care, creativity, and kindness."

Something exciting is coming to Henderson!

 

Join us on May 13, 2026 at the Preston Arts Center for a once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate hospitality, collaboration, and community.

 

Mark your calendars — you won’t want to miss this!

Photo of Will Guidara

About the Keynote Speaker

Will Guidara is the author of the New York Times Bestseller Unreasonable Hospitality. He is the former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, which under his leadership was named the Best Restaurant in the World. He is the host of The Welcome Conference, a Co-Producer on the Emmy Award-winning series The Bear, and is a recipient of the Wall Street Journal Innovator Award.

Will Guidara's Signature

Meet the Guest Speakers

photo of Brent Bruner

Brent Bruner

Brent joined Champlin | EOP in 2001 and became a Principal in 2006. His experience includes a number of hospitality, office, retail, restaurant, auditorium, education, and museum projects, both small and large in scale. He has served as Design Principal on Champlin | EOP’s event projects including The Apiary, Bulleit Visitor Center, Woodford Reserve Welcome Center, and the Waterfront Botanical Gardens Ellen T. Leslie Classrooms.

A photo of Kathleen Driskell

Kathleen Driskell

Award-winning poet, essayist, and teacher Kathleen Driskell has authored six poetry collections. Her individual poems and essays have appeared in The New Yorker, Rattle, River Teeth, Appalachian Review, The Southern Review, Shenandoah, and other magazines and features. She is a professor of creative writing and Chair of the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing at Spalding University in Louisville. On April 24, 2025, Governor Andy Beshear appointed Kathleen as the 2025-26 Kentucky Poet Laureate.

a photo of Brooks Reitz

Brooks Reitz

Brooks Reitz is a Kentucky-born, Charleston, SC-based writer and entrepreneur. Brooks owns and operates four restaurants. He is the founder of Jack Rudy Cocktail Co., an international line of cocktail mixers, bar tools, and accessories. Alongside his wife, Erin, he operates E.M. Reitz, a high-quality shirt-maker for women and men produced in NYC. He publishes A Small & Simple Thing, a newsletter celebrating food, travel, culture, and style.

Our Presenting Sponsors

Ben & Denise Johnston
Logo for Field and Main Bank
Logo for Pittsburg Tank and Tower Group

Explore Our Sponsorship Opportunities

Presenting Sponsor – $10,000 (SOLD OUT)

The premier sponsorship opportunity to place your organization at the forefront of this landmark event.

 

Book Sponsor – $7,500 (SOLD OUT)

Position your organization as the champion of knowledge and inspiration by sponsoring the distribution of Will Guidara’s highly anticipated new book, Unreasonable Hospitality: The Field Guide, to every summit attendee. This is a unique, high-visibility opportunity to connect your brand with a message that will shape Henderson’s future of hospitality.

 

Legendary Sponsor – $5,000

High visibility and premium benefits for organizations committed to Henderson’s growth and hospitality vision.


Dreamweaver Sponsor – $2,500

Great visibility and networking benefits to highlight your support for Henderson’s future.

 

Hospitality Sponsor – $1,000

An accessible way to show your support and be recognized as part of this historic community initiative.

a graphic of four photos of Hendersonians placed on a blue tablecloth.