2025 Keynote Speaker
Gene Marks- Speaker, Author, Columnist

Gene Marks- Navigating 2025 and Beyond
Strategic Moves for the Home Furnishings Industry

genemarks.com

What are some of the smartest and most experienced business leaders doing to drive growth, sustainability and profitability beyond 2025 amidst all of these challenges?  What changes are they making in their operations and cash management? How are they attracting and retaining talent?  What technologies are they investing in? How are they addressing both federal and local regulations that are impacting their businesses?
In this fast-paced, entertaining and highly valuable session, Gene will share real-world, practical strategies and tactics that smart leaders are using to navigate an uncertain economy, a shifting and often divisive political climate, and the complexities of technological and workplace decisions to position their companies for sustained growth and success in the face of change.
After Gene's presentation, you'll be able to:

• Track the economy effectively using lesser- known but impactful economic metrics based on real-life data
• Stay informed on congressional initiatives that will directly affect your industry
• Implement proven tactics to retain top employees and attract new talent, even during these times of tight labor
• Leverage financing, market opportunities, and tax planning strategies to maximize profits and ensure sustainability
• Apply the latest estate, wealth management, and succession planning strategies for long-term business success
• ​Adapt to AI and emerging technologies with real-world examples of industry-specific tools transforming workforce productivity.

A past columnist for both The New York Times and The Washington Post, Gene now writes regularly for The Guardian, The Hill, Forbes, Entrepreneur, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Washington Times and The Chicago Daily Herald.  Gene also hosts two very popular podcasts: Thrive and Small Biz Ahead where he interviews  politicians, economists, policy makers, celebrities and entrepreneurs that impact business. Gene has written 5 books on business management, specifically geared towards small and medium sized companies. His most recent is Want More Cash?: 100+ Ideas And Strategies For Increasing Your Company’s Cash Flow This Year.