NWFHG CONFERENCE JANUARY 22-24, 2027
Hosted by Olympia Capital Lakefair
The DoubleTree by Hilton, Olympia, WA
415 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501
Packet Registration closes January 15, 2027
Hotel Deadline is December 18, 2026
Key Note Speaker, Jamal T. Fox
As founder and CEO of New Path Leadership Group, LLC, and author of Living a Life of Service: Leadership, Purpose, and the Responsibility to Serve, Fox draws on his personal journey and executive experience to speak about character, courage, accountability, and legacy. His message challenges audiences to consider how their everyday choices affect the people they serve and the institutions they lead.
Jamal T. Fox is an executive leader, author, and public servant whose career reflects a commitment to service, purpose, and the responsibility to lead. With more than two decades in public service, he brings experience across government, education, business, and community leadership.
Fox began his public service career in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he worked in local government before being elected to the Greensboro City Council at age 25. His career has since included executive and senior leadership roles in North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, and Maryland. He has served as a city manager, city administrator, deputy chief of staff and chief operating officer, and chief executive officer of a state regulatory board. He currently serves as Deputy Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Fox earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina A&T State University and a Master of Public Administration from Capella University. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
A husband and proud father of two, son Jamal Jr. and daughter Jordynn, Fox believes leadership begins with how we care for others. His guiding commitment is simple: lead with vision, serve with purpose, and leave a legacy.
Friday, January 22, 2027
3:00 - 5:00pm : Registration Hotel Lobby The DoubleTree by Hilton
3:00 - 5:00pm - Hospitality Suite, Olympia Room
5:00pm - Walk to The Cove restaurant for group no host dinner
8:00 - 10:00pm - Hospitality Suite with Bango, Olympia Room
Saturday, January 23, 2027
8:00 - 9:00am - Hotel complimentary breakfast buffet
Included in with your hotel stay. If you are coming for the day, you may purchase the normal hotel breakfast buffet for $18 per person plus tax.
Conference Sessions:
9:00 – 9:55am Session 1 – Opening Remarks & Introductions
10:00 – 10:55 am - Keynote Speaker – Jamal T. Fox, “Leadership Vision & Legacy”
10:55-11:05am - Break
11:05 – 11:55 am - Session 2 – Dr Patrick Wong, “Garbage In, Genius Out?”
How to Ask AI the Right Questions and Know When to Question the Answers
12:00-1:00 pm - Lunch – On site in Hotel
1:00 – 1:55pm – Session 3 - “Rockin’ the Boat & Enjoying It” A transformation story from Seattle Seafair Commodores & Parade Marshal of how they took their ho-hum Hospitality Weekend & Parade to one of the best on the circuit and tripled their membership
1:55 -2:05pm- Break
2:05 - 2:55pm Session 4 – Dale Cunning “From Selfies to Showstoppers”
Capture Photos Worth Sharing with Tips from a World-Class Photographer
2:55 – 3:05pm - 10 minute break
3:05 - 4:00pm - Session 5 – Festival Leaders “The Good, the Bad & the Festival!”
Celebrating Our 2026 Wins, Owning Our Oops, and Learning from Each Other
4:00 – 5:00pm - Session 6 – NWFHG Annual Business Meeting & 2027 Hospitality Packet Presentations.
Please bring your packets if possible.
5:00pm Leave for group no host dinner at the West Water
(old Red Lion up on the hill)
Packet Register: Registration will be closed January 15, 2027
Cost: $135.00 per person; Saturday for the day $100.00 per person
Register online with Olympia Capital Lakefair at:
(coming soon)
FESTIVAL LEADERS - PLEASE BRING A BASKET FOR THE SILENT AUCTION
Hotel Registration:
Lodging & Meeting at DoubleTree by Hilton Olympia Capitol Downtown
415 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501
Guestroom Rates are $169.00, 1 King or 2 Queens plus tax and includes parking.
Hotel Online Registration Link:
To guarantee your group rate, please make your reservation prior to
December 20, 2026.
This conference is open to members in good standing with the current member festivals of NWFHG only.
This conference is open to members in good standing with the
current member festivals of NWFHG only.
