Speakers Announced for Rock the Road 2015 Industry Event
Leading Innovators and Executives Inspire Attendees to Greatness
COLUMBUS, OH, July 10, 2015 - Rockbridge, a leading hotel investment firm, announces today the dynamic Rock the Road 2015 speaker line-up, featuring innovators and leaders who will challenge attendees to think differently, lead more creatively and walk away better than they came. All proceeds from this innovation-focused event will benefit Pelotonia, the nation's largest cycling event supporting cancer research, and take place in Columbus, OH on August 6-7, 2015.
Rock the Road is not a typical industry event. Evolving from a passion to make a difference, Rock the Road goes beyond industry trends and forecasts to inspire attendees and their companies to greatness. Jim Merkel, CEO of Rockbridge, thinks this focus on innovation and leadership combined with the charitable involvement sets Rock the Road apart from other industry events.
Robin Thurston—CTO, Under Armour; former CEO and founder, MapMyFitness, MapMyRide —will discuss the growth of MapMyFitness, now part of the global brand Under Armour, from investing in an open platform to the importance of building a great team. Robin will also discuss the future of digital and how Under Armour is investing in health and fitness connectivity.
Tim Knight—Owner, Focus 3 Culture —has extensive leadership training experience to many corporate executives and Ohio State University football coach, Urban Meyer. The pace of business today means decisions are being made in record time. Tim will teach how to change the outcome by controlling your response to events.
Blake Smith—Director of Entertainment, Virgin Hotels —will talk about balancing Millennials' entertainment needs and their expectations for how relevant, culturally savvy brands curate travel experiences while maintaining the brand's core personality.
Rock the Road and Team Rockbridge are on track to donate more than $500,000 in 2015 for cancer research and have raised over $1 million for the cause in the last five years alone. Major hospitality players come together annually for this event with purpose. If you would like to attend this year's Rock the Road, please visit http://rocktheroad.cvent.com and click on the registration tab.
Rockbridge is a private equity firm that invests in hospitality. Over the past 20+ years, it has made more than 330 hotel investments in 44 states in transactions worth more than $5 billion. Through its deep in-house experience and strong foundation of industry relationships, Rockbridge has delivered a track record of high absolute returns across multiple cycles and is a leading investor in hospitality.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
