The Champions Cup event recognizes and honors businesses/organizations that have championed exemplary best practices and have had a positive influence on the economic well being of the Bartow area business community. Nominated businesses and organizations are judged by a blue ribbon panel that reviews the nominations based upon strict criteria regarding community and economic impact. The prestigious awards represent the Bartow Economic Development Council’s Annual Meeting and is held at the Bartow Civic Center, featuring a prominent keynote speaker.
2023 GUEST SPEAKER
Dale A. Brill, Ph.D.
Dale A. Brill, Ph.D.
Dr. Dale Brill serves as Vice President of Policy and Innovation for Habitat for Humanity—Orlando and Osceola County. Most recently, he led research and development for the Orlando Economic Partnership.
Dale’s self-described career-attention deficit disorder also includes service as president of the Florida Chamber Foundation, the policy research and development division under the umbrella of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Dale’s public sector experience includes tenure as the Director of the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development under Governor Charlie Crist.
Prior to being plucked from political obscurity, Dale served as Chief Marketing Officer for VISIT FLORIDA, during which the Sunshine State’s official tourism marketing corporation earned the “Atlas Award for Best Destination Branding” from the Association of Travel Marketing Executives. He also served as General Motor’s first Dean of e-Commerce and as a Global Business Leader for General Motors-Europe.
Dr. Brill’s academic career includes full-time faculty positions at Boston University and Florida State University. Dale has been recognized by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) as one of the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds and selected among the inaugural class of Fast Company Magazine’s “Fast 50 Innovators.”
Dale is an avid collector of Florida Highwaymen paintings. He and his wife, Stephanie, are doting parents of two and devoted Chicago Cubs fans.
