
Customer service is no longer plainly about solving problems—it’s about creating experiences people remember. In 2025, customers expect faster responses, smoother journeys, and a personal touch, whether chatting with a bot or speaking to a real person.
To keep up, companies are turning to industry leaders and experts, setting the tone for what great service looks like today. This article highlights the keynote speakers who are shaping the future of customer experience through their ideas, insights, and real-world strategies.
Let’s take a closer look at the people leading this transformation.
The Changing Customer Service Landscape in 2025
Customer service isn’t what it used to be.
Today, people care more about how a brand treats them than what the brand actually sells. In 2025, experience often wins over price or product.
Here’s what’s changing fast:
- AI is everywhere, from chatbots to voice recognition
- Omnichannel support is expected, not optional
- Customers want both speed and empathy
Solving a problem is not enough. People want to feel heard.
Companies that get this right build loyalty and trust. They also outperform their competition in customer satisfaction and shareholder value.
Let’s now look at the keynote speakers leading the way.
Profiles of Keynote Speakers Driving Change
Will Guidara
- Who he is: Former GM and co-owner of Eleven Madison Park
- Why he matters: Turned a top restaurant into a model for hospitality-driven business
- What he teaches: The power of unreasonable hospitality—going beyond what’s expected
He now leads the Welcome Conference and wrote the book Unreasonable Hospitality, in which he shares lessons on how businesses can improve customer experience by making service more human.
Pauline Brown
- Who she is: Former Chairman of North America at LVMH
- Focus area: Luxury customer experience, brand identity, and aesthetics
Pauline founded Aesthetic Intelligence Labs and wrote Aesthetic Intelligence, showing how beauty and emotional appeal are key to brand loyalty.
She shows us how even customer service can benefit from the luxury sector’s mindset.
Shep Hyken
- Who he is: One of the most well-known voices in customer service
- What he does: Writes books, runs a podcast, and speaks on customer loyalty and employee empowerment
Shep focuses on creating cultures where teams love to serve customers. His recent talks dive deep into AI’s role in service and how to use tech without losing the human touch.
Dennis Snow
- Who he is: Former Disney veteran with over 20 years of experience
- What he shares: Simple, powerful service lessons based on Disney’s customer-first mindset
Dennis helps companies create “magical” experiences by empowering employees and building consistent service systems.
More Experts from Leading Brands
Name |
Company |
Focus |
Frid Edmond |
Marriott International |
Guest experience, hospitality excellence |
Christie Sandoval |
T-Mobile |
Customer-first innovation in telecom |
Alvin Stokes |
Princess Cruises |
Cruise industry service strategy |
Era Ziroe |
KeyBank |
Personalized banking support |
Rafael Barragan |
Walmart |
Scalable customer care solutions |
John Caldwell |
Target |
Blending digital tools with in-store experiences |
Peter Mallot |
Microsoft |
AI and automation in enterprise support |
Key Themes From These Keynote Speakers
We notice several important themes across these experts’ presentations:
- AI and Automation: Smart companies use AI to handle routine questions and tasks. This lets human agents focus on complex issues that need a personal touch.
- Seamless Omnichannel Communication: Customers expect smooth experiences whether they call, text, email, or visit in person. Top speakers show how to connect these channels.
- Trust and Privacy: With data breaches making headlines, speakers emphasize building trust. They show how to use customer data responsibly while creating personalized experiences.
- Human Connection: Despite all the tech talk, the best keynote speakers stress that human connection still matters most. Empathy and emotional intelligence remain crucial.
- Proactive Service: Leading companies don’t wait for problems. They use data to spot potential issues and fix them before customers notice.
Real Business Impact
These expert insights drive real results.
When companies apply the lessons from these speakers, they see:
- Higher customer satisfaction scores
- Better customer retention rates
- More word-of-mouth referrals
- Increased employee engagement
- Stronger financial performance
For example, after attending Shep Hyken’s workshop, Moen’s customer service team reduced response times by 40%.
NiSource implemented Dennis Snow’s strategies and saw customer satisfaction jump by 25%.
Most importantly, these companies created service cultures that last beyond any training event.
Ways to Apply These Insights
We can all learn from these experts.
Here are simple steps any business can take:
- Start with measurement: Find out how customers currently feel about your service.
- Train continuously: Make service training an ongoing process, not a one-time event.
- Recognize excellence: Celebrate team members who deliver outstanding service.
- Gather feedback: Ask customers what they need and want.
- Take action: Use feedback to make real improvements.
Final Thoughts
Great customer service isn’t an accident—it’s something we build.
These keynote speakers are helping teams worldwide rethink how they serve customers. They’re not just talking about the future—they’re shaping it.
We must learn from these leaders if we want to stay ahead in 2025 and beyond. Whether AI, trust, or human emotion, the service game is changing fast.
And the people changing it? You guessed it—keynote speakers who know what it takes to win.