Facilitators
Samantha Stern
A native New Yorker, Samantha Stern is a professional actor, educator, and communication specialist who currently serves as Director of Theatre and Assistant Chair of the Mike Curb College of Music, Entertainment and Art at Daytona State College.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Cornell University and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance. Throughout her academic career, she has taught at the University of Central Florida, Florida State University, Orlando Culinary Institute, and Manatee School for the Arts.
In addition to her work in higher education, Samantha has enjoyed a professional performing career spanning regional theatre, cruise ship entertainment, productions for Disney in both Florida and Japan, and shows in Italy and Mexico. She currently performs with SAK Comedy Lab in Orlando, where she continues to apply and develop the principles of improvisation, collaboration, and audience engagement.
Samantha also serves as Vice President of the Florida Theatre Conference, supporting theatre education and professional development throughout the state of Florida.
Richard Regan Paul
Richard Regan Paul is a Design Thinking facilitator, improvisational actor, and creative innovator based in Orlando, Florida. A Certified Design Thinking Professional through the Global Innovation Institute, he brings over 24 years of experience listening for what organizations truly value and building experiences where people can safely innovate together. Whether facilitating workshops, managing Human Centered Design and Service Design projects, or leading teams through creative breakthroughs, Richard meets clients where they are and designs pathways that turn trust into action. He works with SAK Comedy Lab, The Creativity Effect, Collaboration Unleashed, The Corner Gallery Improv, and Catalyst Studios. His screen credits include Geostorm and Keeping Up with the Joneses, along with national campaigns for Verizon, MasterCard, and Capital One.
Mike Carr
Mike Carr is an entertainment industry professional of over 20 years with extensive experience in live, interactive performance and show direction with actors and business professionals. His work with clients focuses on active listening and connecting with stage partners as well as audience members to provide those clients with the tools necessary to have a successful performance of any kind. Over his career he has worked with the Walt Disney Co., Universal Orlando, Resort, Harvard University, and Orlando Health among others. In his spare time, Mike rides his bike all over Orlando with his wife and young son.
Business Development Power Hub – Coaching Corner
Saturday, August 29
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, August 30 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Monday, August 31 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Hospitality Suite – Palazzo Ballroom
Sessions
Saturday, August 29
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Amarante 2-3 – Lower Level JW Marriott
Elevating Your Professional Presence: A Skills Building Workshop
In this high‑engagement 1.5‑hour workshop, attendees dive into hands‑on exercises designed to strengthen their networking presence, communication style, and sales effectiveness. Through guided practice, real‑time feedback, and collaborative activities, participants develop practical techniques they can immediately apply throughout the conference and in their daily professional interactions. This session equips professionals to show up with greater confidence, clarity, and purpose — and to create stronger, more meaningful connections in every conversation.
Sunday, August 30
1:00 PM 2:00 PM
Amarante 2-3 – Lower Level JW Marriott
Professional Development Session – Digital Influence Essentials: Sales, LinkedIn & Social Media Strategies
This focused one‑hour session delivers targeted coaching on modern sales techniques, LinkedIn optimization, and effective social media strategy. Attendees will learn how to elevate their digital brand, communicate value with clarity, and use online platforms to support relationship‑building and business development. The session blends practical instruction with real‑world examples, giving participants actionable steps to strengthen their digital presence and expand their professional reach.