Events & Seminars
2025
Business Leadership Summit 2025 Details
Hosted at Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare Rosemont
at 5500 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL
Only 1.7 miles from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) with a free shuttle to/from ORD!
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 10
5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sponsor Showcase + Meet & Greet Reception
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 11
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Welcome & Coffee
9:00 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. Summit Sessions
12:10 p.m. – 1:10 p.m. Lunch (provided)
1:10 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. Sponsor Showcase
2:20 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Summit Sessions
5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Sponsor Showcase + Happy Hour
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Sponsor Showcase
9:00 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. Summit Sessions
12:10 p.m. – 1:10 p.m. Lunch (provided)
1:10 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. Sponsor Showcase
2:20 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Summit Sessions
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Happy Hour
Location
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare Rosemont is located at 5500 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL, which is only 1.7 miles from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and offers a free shuttle to/from ORD!
We suggest staying at right the Embassy Suites. Use the link to book your room(s) in our block of discounted rooms.
Food and Drinks
Coffee, water, and lunch will be provided Thursday and Friday.*
*Added perks of staying at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare Rosemont: Complimentary breakfast is included with your stay, plus a happy hour with two free drinks along with camaraderie and networking!
Speaker Lineup
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dominic Hodgson, a.k.a. The Pet Biz Wiz, Pet Business Coach and Marketing Strategist
Madison Warner, Founder and Lead Instructor of Ready Pet Education
Sean Felty, Co-Owner of Greenlin Pet Resorts and Founder of Next Tree Strategies
Sherry Acanfora-Ruohomaki, President and Owner of K9 Kampus and Facets Consulting Group
Kelli Dodds, General Manager of Perfect Pooch LLC
Brian T. Boyd, Tax Attorney, Real Estate Investor, and Author
Rob Van Craenenbroeck, HR expert and co-founder of Culture@Work LLC
Eve Molzhon, Founder of Dog Handler Academy
…and more to come!
Why Attend the Business Leadership Summit?
The Dog Handler Academy Business Leadership Summit is a 2-day intensive with a host of experts scheduled to share their wealth of knowledge in the dog daycare and boarding industry.
Ask yourself a few questions…
Dominic Hodgson, a.k.a. “The Pet Biz Wiz,” will teach you how to create an unforgettable customer experience using the time and resources you already have, so you can stand out in a crowded market.
Madison Warner, Founder and Lead Instructor of Ready Pet Education, will lead a session on emergency preparedness, ensuring you have a clear plan to protect your staff, clients, and pets when disaster strikes.
Sherry Acanfora-Ruohomaki, President and Owner of K9 Kampus and Facets Consulting Group, will introduce practical organizational tools and systems to help your team stay on track, improve productivity, and work more efficiently.
Eve Molzhon, Founder of Dog Handler Academy, and Rob Van Craenenbroeck, HR expert and Co-Founder of Culture@Work, will dive into employee retention and engagement, giving you strategies to motivate your team, reduce turnover, and create a workplace culture that employees love.
Brian T. Boyd, tax attorney and real estate investor, will explain the best business entity structures for reducing tax liabilities, helping you keep more of your profits in his session, “How To Properly Structure Your Business: Tax Efficiency and Asset Protection for the Small Business Owner.”
Sean Felty, Co-Owner of Greenlin Pet Resorts and Founder of Next Tree Strategies, will show you how to analyze and control labor costs, optimize scheduling, and increase productivity without burning out your team.
Kelli Dodds will walk you through incentivizing managers, building performance evaluations, and tracking progress, so you can develop stronger leadership in your business.
What Do Last Year's Summit Attendees Say?
The DHA Business Leadership Summit isn’t just about ideas — it’s about action.
Kevin Casida attended the 2024 Summit and found it incredibly valuable. With a variety of speakers covering topics like marketing, HR, operations, and financials, he walked away with powerful insights — and, more importantly, actionable steps to implement in his facilities right away.
Meet Our Speakers
Dominic (Dom) Hodgson, a.k.a. The Pet Biz Wiz, Pet Business Coach and Marketing Strategist
The Pet Biz Wiz, Dom Hodgson, is the world’s leading pet business coach and marketing strategist. Since 2011 he has helped over 1812 frustrated pet business owners to double or triple their revenue and create an impactful business while working less.
His superpower is helping ambitious heart-centered petpreneurs to stand out, systemize and scale up their business. He also helps them become published authors and recognized experts in their field.
Dom has written 8 books and mentored thousands of pet business owners through his Pet Business Inner Circle Coaching Programs.
Dan Kennedy said this about Dom; “Dom Hodgson is Europe’s Number 1 Business Coach of Dog Walkers, Dog Trainers and Pet Sitters.”
Madison (Maddie) Warner, Founder and Lead Instructor of Ready Pet Education
Maddie Warner is the founder and lead instructor of Ready Pet Education. Her career began working as a veterinary technician at general practice and emergency vet clinics. After eight years in veterinary medicine, she became an NREMT-A/firefighter, and K9 handler for FEMA’s USAR teams. She began teaching pet first aid in 2018 & has worked numerous pet-industry jobs such as daycare technician, bather, walker/hiker, pet sitter and more. She also has several years of pet services business operations experience.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management & her other certifications include: PACCC CPACO, VECCS BLS & ALS CPR, VTG T3C, FEMA IS-10a and many more.
She is a member of IACP, WPA, & is pursuing additional industry certifications and a Masters in Emergency Management.
Sean Felty, Co-Owner of Greenlin Pet Resorts and Founder of Next Tree Strategies
Sean Felty is a seasoned leader in the pet boarding and daycare industry, bringing over two decades of hands-on experience to help business owners turn chaos into clarity. As the co-owner of six thriving facilities in Pennsylvania, Sean has navigated the ups and downs of growth, from humble kennels to multi-location success. Frustrated by unpredictable labor costs, he adapted proven strategies from his healthcare background to create a game-changing approach that’s saved his businesses—and his clients—hundreds of thousands in profits. Through Next Tree Strategies, Sean now shares his expertise, empowering pet care owners with simple, effective tools to streamline operations and boost their bottom line without compromising care. He’s on a mission to help industry owners thrive and boost profits.
Kelli Dodds, GM of Perfect Pooch LLC
Kelli Dodds has been in the pet care industry since 2009, including six years leading a busy dog daycare. As a leadership consultant, she combines hands-on expertise with a passion for mentoring to help pet businesses thrive.
Brian T. Boyd
Brian is a seasoned attorney with a practice focused on corporate law, business transactions, and tax matters. As a partner in the law firm, Mr. Boyd has built a reputation for delivering comprehensive, tailored legal solutions to entrepreneurs, businesses, and high-net-worth individuals.
With deep expertise in complex entity structuring, Mr. Boyd assists clients in creating tax-efficient organizational frameworks designed to protect assets and maximize profitability. He is a trusted advisor for businesses of all sizes, offering guidance on mergers, acquisitions, contract negotiations, compliance, and strategic planning.
Mr. Boyd’s tax law practice spans federal, state, and local tax issues. He provides clients with proactive strategies to minimize liabilities while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Recognized for his meticulous attention to detail, he is adept at solving complex tax challenges, including cross-border issues and multi-state operations.
In addition to his transactional work, Mr. Boyd represents his clients in court, bringing his litigation skills to bear in disputes involving tax controversies, commercial conflicts, and other legal challenges. His courtroom experience gives his clients confidence that their interests are vigorously protected at every stage.
Mr. Boyd also specializes in estate planning services that emphasize business succession, asset protection, and legacy planning. He helps business owners preserve their wealth for future generations, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership and minimizing estate tax burdens.
Practice Areas:
- Corporate Law and Governance
- Business Formation and Structuring
- Tax Planning and Controversy
- Asset Protection and Risk Management
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Estate Planning and Business Succession
Brian T. Boyd is committed to providing practical, results-driven legal solutions that align with his clients’ goals. Whether negotiating complex transactions, structuring entities for maximum efficiency, or advocating in court, Mr. Boyd is a trusted partner who delivers exceptional results.
Mr. Boyd’s combination of technical expertise and hands-on courtroom experience makes him a leading choice for clients seeking high-caliber legal representation in corporate, business, and tax matters.
Rob Van Craenenbroeck, HR Expert and Co-Founder of Culture@Work
Rob Van Craenenbroeck has been a Human Resource and Learning & Development practitioner for the past 30 years. He has led Human Resource teams in multiple industries including manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and academia in such roles as VP Talent Acquisition and Director of Learning and Development. Rob has also provided leadership for national and global sales forces and served in the capacity of Director of Human Resources and Vice President of Operations for Kaplan Professional Education. He is the co-founder of Culture@Work LLC.
Rob holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Development. During his career, Rob has helped companies emerge from bankruptcy and has been a catalyst for successful organizational change. He is a frequent keynote speaker and facilitates cultural change workshops through his consulting business.
Eve Molzhon, Founder of Dog Handler Academy
Eve Molzhon’s interest in dogs began in 2000 as a board member for Capable Canines of Wisconsin, a non-profit service dog organization. In the corporate world, she worked in sales management, marketing, and project management, but CCOW inspired her to delve into the animal care industry. She is a member of APDT, IACP, IAABC, and IBPSA. In 2013, she opened Fun Fur Pets Dog Daycare and Boarding. As business grew, Eve saw gaps in employee training, so she created an online, video-based, fully automated staff training program, Dog Handler Academy. At Fun Fur Pets, she created Dog School, a program for dog socialization and obedience training and subsequently opened a second business for a similar program, the Dog School of Minnesota. In early 2023, Eve built and opened Pawesome Pets Country Club, an enrichment-based dog daycare and pet boarding facility. Eve also created 2nd Chance to Shine, a non-profit organization that provides basic manners training and social rehabilitation to several dogs who are currently in rescues throughout the Midwest.
More speaker bios to come!
Frequently Asked Questions
The Summit will take place September 10–12, 2025, at Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare Rosemont in Rosemont, IL.
The Summit is designed for pet business owners, managers, and future owners in the dog daycare and boarding industries.
The Summit is open to anyone looking to grow their career in the pet care industry, including current and aspiring business owners, managers, team leads, and key staff members. If you want to develop leadership skills, understand business operations, or plan for future growth in your pet care career, this event is for you!
While the Summit is designed specifically for pet care business owners and managers, many of the leadership, financial, and operational strategies discussed are applicable to general business professionals as well. If you work in a service-based business, customer experience, staff management, or operations, you’ll find valuable insights that can be applied across industries.
Your registration includes:
- Access to all Summit sessions on September 11–12
- Entry to the Sponsor Showcase & Business Suites
- Admission to the Meet & Greet Reception on September 10
- Lunch, coffee, and water on Thursday and Friday
- Complimentary breakfast and evening drinks for guests staying at Embassy Suites
- Wednesday, September 10 – Sponsor Showcase & Meet & Greet Reception (5:30–8:00 p.m.)
- Thursday, September 11 – Full day of Summit sessions + Sponsor Showcase networking
- Friday, September 12 – Full day of Summit sessions + Sponsor Showcase networking
You can register online here. Use discount code EarlyBird50 to get $50 off your registration fee when you sign up before April 30, 2025.
Yes! If you’re already registered and need to add another team member from your business, register them here!
We will have just 1 track of sessions (so you don’t have to choose what to attend). Session topics are slated to include:
- Emergency preparedness (with speaker Madison Warner, Founder and Lead Instructor of Ready Pet Education)
- Customer relations and how to make the experience special with the time and resources you have (with speaker Dominic Hodgson, a.k.a. The Pet Biz Wiz, Pet Business Coach and Marketing Strategist and co-founder of Enrich University)
- How to help your staff with organizational tools (with speaker Sherry Acanfora-Ruohomaki, President and Owner of K9 Kampus and Facets Consulting Group)
- Employee retention and engagement (with Eve Molzhon and Rob Van Craenenbroeck)
- Proper entity structure for tax efficiency (with Brian T. Boyd, Tax Attorney, Real Estate Investor, and Author)
- Managing labor costs (with Sean Felty, Co-Owner of Greelin Pet Resorts and Founder of Next Tree Strategies)
- How to incentivize managers, create a management performance evaluation, and track their progress, etc. (with Kelli Dodds, General Manager of Perfect Pooch LLC)
- And more!
The DHA Business Leadership Summit is uniquely tailored to owners, managers, and future leaders in the pet care industry. Unlike larger conferences, this event focuses on high-impact learning, expert-led sessions, and interactive networking in a more intimate setting. Our speaker lineup consists of industry professionals and business experts providing real-world strategies that you can immediately apply to streamline operations, boost profits, and enhance your leadership skills.
We recommend bringing:
- A notebook or laptop/tablet for taking notes
- Business cards for networking
- Any questions or challenges you’d like to discuss with speakers and fellow attendees
- Comfortable shoes and a light jacket or sweater (as the session room temperature may vary)
The dress code is business casual/casual. Past attendees have worn sweaters, polos, blouses, button-down shirts, or casual but relevant shirts such as sweatshirts or t-shirts with their business logo.
No, the 2025 DHA Business Leadership Summit is an in-person-only event. The value of this summit comes from face-to-face learning, live discussions, and hands-on networking, which cannot be fully replicated in a virtual setting.
Absolutely! The 2025 Summit features new topics, fresh insights, and almost all new speakers. Plus, returning attendees expand their networks, reinforce learning, and continue refining their business approach year after year. Email us for a discount as a repeat Summit attendee at contactus@doghandleracademy.com!
The 2025 Summit features an updated lineup of expert speakers, new session topics, and expanded opportunities for networking and sponsor engagement with our brand new Sponsor Showcase. We’re also introducing deeper dives into tax efficiency, management performance tracking, and operational organization —making this year’s event even more actionable and impactful.
Not at all! Each year’s Summit is designed to be valuable as a stand-alone experience. Whether you’re attending for the first time or returning, you’ll get actionable insights tailored to your business needs. We cover core business challenges from multiple angles, so you can jump in and start implementing strategies right away.
We recommend booking a room right at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare Rosemont, the event venue. A discounted room block is available for attendees here.
Yes! The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), just 1.7 miles away.
Yes, the hotel offers on-site parking for a daily fee.
We offer several sponsorship opportunities, including the Sponsor Showcase in the business suites in the 2nd-floor atrium for sponsor networking with attendees. Contact us for sponsorship details.
Follow us on social media – you’ll find our social accounts linked in the footer of this page.
Once you complete your registration, you’ll receive an invitation to join our DHA Summit 2025 private Facebook group, where you can ask questions, chat with speakers, and network with fellow attendees. Plus, be sure to check your email for important event updates!
If you are no longer able to attend, you may transfer your ticket to another person in your company at no cost. Refunds are available if requested by 3 weeks prior to the event (August 20, 2025). After this date, tickets are non-refundable but may still be transferred.
Yes, tickets are transferable to another person within your company. Please contact us by 1 week prior to the Summit to process the transfer.
You can reach us at contactus@doghandleracademy.com.
Ready to Register for the Business Leadership Summit?
Dog Handler Academy
Business Leadership Summit
SEptember 10–12, 2025
Chicago, il
$495
- Admission for 1 to DHA Summit 2025
- Lunch, coffee, and water provided Thursday & Friday
Already registered and need to add another team member from your business? Register them here!
Thank You to Our Business Leadership Summit Sponsors!
Interested in Becoming a Summit Sponsor?
DON’T MISS OUT!
Join our email list to be notified of upcoming events!
Subscribe to get exclusive deals and sneak peeks, and be the first to know when Dog Handler Academy releases a new course or product!
Copyright © Dog Handler Academy. All rights reserved.