Sharing time-tested best practices and the latest technologies to drive business performance by developing and empowering the frontline in times of change. This is the future of hospitality training.
When: October 7, 2025
Time: 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Where: Chicago, IL
Attensi and Socratic are pleased to invite a select group of senior leaders in Retail and Hospitality to an exclusive event in Chicago, Illinois, focused on unlocking frontline performance to drive business results.
In a time of rapid industry transformation, frontline teams are more critical than ever. This half-day session brings together time-tested strategies and emerging technologies to elevate onboarding, upskilling, and retention.
• Tackle Today’s Training Gaps: Address real-time skills shortages and evolving guest expectations head-on.
• Design for Retention: Discover training strategies that drive engagement, performance, and staff loyalty.
• Prove the ROI: Learn how to align learning outcomes with business impact in a fast-moving hospitality landscape.
Attendees will gain first-hand insights from Lan Tran from McDonald’s, join a moderated panel with Huw Newton-Hill from Attensi and Holly Christensen from Socratic Arts, and take part in curated peer discussions with fellow executives.
The program concludes with a private networking reception featuring appetizers and refreshments.
Participation is by invitation only. To ensure a high-value experience for all attendees, registrations will be reviewed based on role, industry, and alignment with the event’s focus.
We look forward to welcoming you to an afternoon of executive-level insight, strategic dialogue, and meaningful connection.
Director of Learning Design & Technology | McDonald’s
Lan is a learning strategist, experience designer, and technologist with over 20 years in the learning and technology industries. She has been featured in Forbes, HR Tech Outlook, CLO Magazine, CIOReview, and Profile Magazine’s Code Breakers: Women in Tech campaign. Most recently, she was named a finalist for OnCon’s Top 100 L&D Professionals, recognized for her people-first leadership and learner-centric design approach.
Today she leads strategy focused on behavior change, continuous learning, gamification, and immersive experiences. Previously, she served as Head of L&D Governance, Technology, and Operations at Kraft Heinz.
CEO & CEO & President | Socratic Arts
Holly leads science-backed, human-centered learning solutions that drive real performance outcomes. For nearly two decades, she and her team have delivered award-winning programs to Fortune 500 companies and global organizations, using story-centered, learn-by-doing approaches. Socratic Arts also develops AI-enabled mentorship tools inspired by founder Roger Schank, Ph.D. — a pioneer in AI and education.
Holly brings deep experience in corporate learning, having previously served in leadership roles at IBM, Allstate, and Apollo Group, where she oversaw learning for 180 global locations.
General Manager & Managing Director US | Attensi
Huw leads the company’s commercial and operational teams in delivering cutting-edge, simulation-based training solutions. Since joining Attensi in 2017, Huw has played a key role in the company’s international expansion, partnering with major global organizations including Accenture, BCG, and Zurich Insurance Group.
With a background in strategy consulting at Boston Consulting Group and investment banking at Goldman Sachs, Huw brings a sharp business perspective to digital learning. He holds an MBA from London Business School and is passionate about using technology to transform how organizations, onboard, train, and retain talent.
A focused half-day of keynotes, panel discussion, breakout sessions, and networking. Built to help you strengthen retention and onboarding in your organization.
Happy Hour with light bites & drinks.
Find your assigned table where a team member from Socratic Arts or Attensi will kick off the session, lead introductions, and guide the discussion.
Gain valuable firsthand insights during a presentation by Lan Tran from McDonald’s, as she shares her expertise and experiences in frontline development and performance. A brief Q&A will follow, so feel free to bring your questions.
The panel discussion will feature industry experts, led by Huw Newton-Hill from Attensi and Holly Christensen from Socratic.
Both Socratic Arts and Attensi will present highlights of their ongoing projects and current initiatives.
We’ll take a 30 minute break featuring more hearty appetizers, drink refills, and time to network.
Attendees select questions from cards at each table and engage in rapid, focused discussions. Each group will then share key takeaways in a brief 3-minute report to the whole room.
Enjoy dessert while connecting with fellow attendees during the final networking session.
Date & Time:
August 13th 2025, 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Address:
Smith & Wollensky – Chicago
318 N State St,
Chicago, IL 60654,
United States
