Forums

Forum & Luncheon

Friday, September 18, 2026 | 9:30 am – 2:30 pm

WDB2025Forum001

Forum & Luncheon

Friday, September 18, 2026 | 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Norris Conference Centers – City Centre

Two expert-led forum sessions, each presented by its own sponsor, followed by our keynote luncheon.

Session 1 | 10:00 am – 10:45 am

Leading, Selling, and Partnering Across Generations
Presented by Caryn Lee, Paychex

The same generational forces show up in three seats at once: the employee you lead, the customer you sell to, and the partner you refer with. Learn to read the generation once, and you can lead it, sell it, and partner with it.

10:45 am – 11:00 am: Q&A with speakers, break and shopping

Session 2 | 11:00 am – 11:45 am

Hormones, Health & Longevity: Expert Insights for Midlife Women
Presented by Kelsey-Seybold Clinic — Dr. Christina Frome, Dr. Shawn Davis and Dr. Felicia Jordan

Midlife isn’t about slowing down—it’s about having the knowledge and tools to thrive.

Designed for women navigating perimenopause, menopause and beyond, this conversation will explore the latest evidence-based insights on hormonal health, longevity, lifestyle strategies, preventive screenings, and emerging therapies, including peptides.

Whether you’re seeking answers to new symptoms, looking to optimize your health, or simply want to stay informed, you’ll gain practical takeaways to support your well-being and longevity—both personally and professionally.

Bring your questions! The session will conclude with a live Q&A, giving you the opportunity to hear directly from our expert panel.

11:45 am – 12:15 pm: Q&A with speakers, break and shopping

Keynote Luncheon | 12:15 pm – 2:30 pm

Featuring keynote speaker Erin Smith, chef and co-owner of Feges BBQ and winner of the Food Network series Chopped.

2026 Keynote Speaker

Erin Smith
Feges BBQ

Erin Smith opened Feges BBQ with her husband Patrick Feges in March 2018. With their combined fine dining experience and Patrick’s barbecue expertise, Feges BBQ offers a new approach to barbecue combining traditional flavors and modern interpretations of classics.

Erin Smith began her culinary career at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. After graduating at the top of her class, she took a position at New York City’s acclaimed Per Se restaurant, working under the culinary leadership of Thomas Keller and Jonathan Benno. Following that, Erin held positions with Italian Wine Merchants and Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca in New York before returning to her native Houston in 2010 to serve as executive chef of Plonk! Beer & Wine Bistro. She consulted on the opening of Montrose’s Blacksmith, developing an award-winning menu for the craft coffee bar before taking over as culinary director for Blacksmith’s parent organization, Clumsy Butcher. In that role she oversaw both menu and staff development at The Hay Merchant, Anvil Bar & Refuge and The Pastry War while continuing to manage the culinary side of Blacksmith. In 2014, Erin was named executive chef of the new JW Marriott Downtown where she managed the property’s signature restaurant Main Kitchen as well as in-room dining and banquet operations. In May 2016, she competed in an episode of the Food Network series Chopped, beating out three rival chefs to win the high-visibility competition. Before opening Feges BBQ, Erin worked as a sommelier at wine bar Camerata to hone her front-of-house skills.

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2025 Hospitality Sponsor

2026 Business Forum Speakers

Kelsey-Seybold Clinic
Hormones, Health & Longevity: Expert Insights for Midlife Women Forum
Dr. Christina Frome, Dr. Shawn Davis, and Dr. Felicia Jordan