Pittsburg, PA – Chad E. Foster, celebrated keynote speaker and author of Blind Ambition, captivated audiences at the 2024 International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) Convention and Expo, held from September 29th to October 1st. With the growing emphasis on resilient leadership amid current economic and societal disruptions, Foster’s message of overcoming adversity and building resilience resonated powerfully with industry professionals.
In his opening keynote, "Refocus Your Story, Your Happiness, and Your Success with Blind Ambition," Foster shared his personal journey of turning blindness into a catalyst for professional success and post-traumatic growth. Attendees were inspired by his story of overcoming adversity and his practical advice on transforming challenges into opportunities. He emphasized the importance of perspective, encouraging participants to view obstacles as stepping stones for growth.
Later, in the Inspire the Industry segment, Foster delivered his second session, "Refocus Your Resiliency: From Victim to Visionary." This session focused on enhancing resilience - a skill increasingly vital as organizations face uncertainty, economic volatility, and shifting industry demands. Foster provided attendees with actionable strategies for turning setbacks into strengths, underscoring the importance of agility and vision in today’s leadership landscape.
The urgency of cultivating resilience aligns with recent reports highlighting the need for leaders to navigate complex environments marked by unpredictability, such as economic shifts and supply chain challenges. Studies have emphasized that resilient leadership - rooted in adaptability and the ability to transform adversity into growth - is crucial for sustaining organizational success and innovation in these turbulent times.
"Chad Foster’s message goes far beyond simply checking the ‘Keynote Speaker’ box on your planning list. His ability to connect on both a personal and professional level, provided our attendees with a very real opportunity to refocus on the challenges we all face but–more importantly–the possibilities that we still control in our lives." said Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE, President & CEO, International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA World)
The IFEA Convention and Expo continues to be a cornerstone for global leaders, offering innovative solutions, networking opportunities, and expert-led sessions tailored to the evolving needs of the events industry.
For more information about Chad E. Foster and his speaking engagements, visit https://chadefoster.com.
About Chad E. Foster
Reading Chad E. Foster’s resume reveals he’s a rainmaker, a billion-dollar revenue generator, a job creator, and a tech innovator. What’s not so obvious? He’s blind. And when he speaks to audiences, he shares a powerful message: His loss of eyesight as a young adult didn't hold him back. Instead, he embraced obstacles as opportunities.
Chad became the first blind executive to graduate Harvard Business School's leadership program and did what Oracle said couldn’t be done, becoming the first to create CRM software for the visually-impaired. Turning adversity into advantage, he thrived at a Fortune 500 company, directing financial strategies that resulted in billions in revenue, industry-leading growth, and best-in-class margins despite hypercompetitive market conditions.
Today, Chad teaches this same overcomer mindset to companies around the world, breaking down the anatomy of resilience using his tried and tested tools to empower people to emerge from setbacks stronger, sleeker, and resolute to succeed. He believes in helping others turn their challenges into opportunities, a mission that he values even more than his eyesight.
Connecting inspiration to implementation™, Chad provides a roadmap for overcoming obstacles and achieving the impossible. His keynotes are a blend of heartfelt stories, entertaining delivery, no-fluff truth-telling, and practical strategies tailored to empower individuals and teams to transcend their limitations. With Chad, audiences receive actionable insights on fostering a mindset of growth and resilience, driving them to redefine their boundaries.
His keynotes are not just talks; they are transformative experiences that ignite change, inspire action, and unlock potential. Engaging Chad for an event secures a catalyst for positive transformation, leaving audiences motivated, equipped, and eager to tackle their challenges with newfound vigor.
His direct and confident style, combined with a go-for-it inspiring belief system - he is an avid downhill skier and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner (that’s not a joke), has made him a high-impact keynote speaker for leaders at companies such as Google, IBM, and Salesforce. He’d be honored to inspire actions that drive outcomes at the next event.
Media Contact
Name
Chad E Foster
Contact name
Brandy Gibson
Contact phone
855-GET-CHAD
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Url
https://chadefoster.com/
