Dave Barry to Headline Awards Gala and Creative Genius Behind Chipotle's Rise to Deliver Keynote at National Conference!

Just Announced: Dave Barry to Headline Awards Gala!

Get ready for an unforgettable evening at National Conference as we celebrate the very best of employee ownership!

The ESOP Association's annual awards ceremony has always been a popular event, as we honor the best individual and ESOP company accomplishments. This year, we are taking it to a whole new level with the Celebration of Excellence in Employee Ownership awards gala. 

Don your cocktail attire and join us for a very special night of glamour, excitement and inspiration as the Employee Owner of the Year, ESOP Company of the Year, and many other honors are unveiled. 

Oh, and one more thing...we are thrilled to announce America's favorite humorist, Dave Barry, is hosting the 2024 awards gala!

America's most popular humorist for over two decades, Dave Barry is a best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist. His witty, critically acclaimed weekly column was a staple in several hundred newspapers nationwide for more than 20 years. Barry speaks about the absurdities of our everyday lives in his down-to-earth style, delivering nonstop laughter to audiences across America.

As the host of this years awards gala, Dave Barry is sure to make it a night to remember!

So please be sure to join us on Thursday, May 9 and help us honor this year's winners in style. Cocktail reception begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards program.

There is no cost for National Conference attendees, but tickets for the gala are limited. Please be sure to secure yours when you register for National Conference.

Haven't registered yet? Don't miss out! Sign up today and secure your place at the gala. Already registered but forgot to add the Awards Gala and Reception? Simply login to manage your registration or contact us at membership@esopassociation.org. 

Creative Genius Behind Chipotle's Rise to Deliver Keynote at National Conference!

The ESOP Association has big news to share! We are thrilled to announce that William Espey, the creative brand visionary behind Chipotle, will deliver a keynote at TEA's National Conference in Washington, DC!

William Espey is a branding expert known for his pivotal role in creating and developing one of the most significant and successful brands of the last quarter century—Chipotle Mexican Grill. 

As the company’s “brand voice” for an almost twenty-year run, he played a crucial role in cultivating its growth from its early entrepreneurial roots to the multi-billion dollar chain it became in the U.S. and abroad. From customer-facing advertising and messaging to internal communications, Espey eschewed the conventional, canned, calculated, and characteristically corporate approaches to marketing creative strategy, instead developing Chipotle’s authentic brand voice organically and purposefully as a personal expression of the company’s unique values and culture.

Espey has since continued his career in brand strategy, expression, and development, with a consistent focus on how to build authentic brands rooted in organizational core values, no matter the industry or the audience. 

A renowned and respected business thought leader, you don't want to miss this keynote as he shares insights on consumer engagement, fostering innovation, and uncovering values and culture to cultivate authentic brand expressions.

You don't want to miss this unique and powerful keynote on Friday, May 10 at 11:30 a.m., as Espey shares his recipe for connecting authentically and powerfully with customers and employees.

And don't forget, Advance Registration ends on April 18. Book your spot at National Conference now to save on the Onsite registration price!