Mike Blake
Deerfield, Illinois, United States
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About
KemperSports benefits from over a decade of leadership in hospitality technology through…
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8K followers
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Mike Blake shared thisView my verified achievement from Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.CITP® Champion was issued by Association of International Certified Professional Accountants to Michael Blake.CITP® Champion was issued by Association of International Certified Professional Accountants to Michael Blake.
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Mike Blake reposted thisMike Blake reposted thisWhen has anyone asked you what you thought? The hospitality industry is asking you to participate in a survey to identify what is needed for you and your company to achieve digital responsibility. There are so many moving parts in this space it has to start with some simple questions, trending the answers, and then The Hospitality Finance and Technology Profesionals (HFTP) will publish a set of standards designed to guide the industry in Digital Responsibilty. Here’s your chance to contribute…. Take the survey! https://lnkd.in/g3QkA3H7
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Mike Blake reposted thisThis is important. Please take a few minutes to take the survey.Mike Blake reposted thisHFTP launches the Hospitality Code of Digital Responsibility Survey—please help complete it and circulate it to industry connections. https://lnkd.in/gdbXRhA6
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Mike Blake shared thisMike Blake shared thisThe early bird rate for the HTNG European Conference has been extended through Sept. 15! Don’t miss your chance to register at the lowest cost for this hospitality tech event. Join us Oct. 17-19 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh and see our all-star lineup of speakers, including: 🔵 William "Chip" Rogers, AHLA President & CEO 🔵 Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Space Scientist and Educator 🔵 Keith Barr, IHG Hotels & Resorts CEO 🔵 Kate Nicholls OBE, UKHospitality CEO 🔵 Stewart Miller, The National Robotarium CEO 🔵 Michael Rovatsos, The University of Edinburgh Professor of AI, Deputy Vice Principal of Research, 🔵 & more! Learn more & register: https://bit.ly/3JXktkH
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Mike Blake shared thisMike Blake shared thisAgenda now available for the 2022 HTNG European Conference at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh, October 17-19. Network and learn from top hospitality technology experts and get the latest in worldwide hospitality technology trends. Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/3JXktkH
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Mike Blake shared thisFirst as a volunteer Board member and later as the CEO of HTNG, I have always known that the work of our association is essential to the growth of the industry we are all passionate about. It has been clear to me for some time that in order to have a greater impact our business model needed to evolve to include support from our industry CEOs. An integration with AHLA benefits our membership, industry and overall mission to advance technology globally in hospitality. Thank you to my staff, our board and to our new partners at AHLA for sharing my vision, I could not have done this without you. Let’s go!!!! #ahla #htng #hospitalitynews #hospitalitytechMike Blake shared thisToday marks the beginning of a new era for #HTNG as part of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Our brand and global mission continue, but with greater resources and support from industry CEOs. There are too many people to thank for HTNG’s success over the past 19 years, but we want to recognize the original group of nine who had the vision to create HTNG: John Burns, Daniel Connolly, PhD, Janis Hall, Ted Horner, Jon Inge, Nick Price, Douglas Rice, Mac Smith and Alan White. We also want give a special acknowledgement to Doug Rice, who we might call the “father” of HTNG as one of the founders and CEO for eleven years. Additionally, thank you to the eight current and past presidents of our board: Gebhard Rainer, Nick Price, the late Barry Shuler, Todd Thompson, Jim Peterson, Jez Ward, Monika Nerger and Floor Bleeker. We look forward to continuing our journey ahead with all of our other past, present and future leaders, members, staff and other contributors! #HTNG
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Mike Blake shared thisView my verified achievement from ISACA.
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Mike Blake liked thisMike Blake liked thisIf you know someone who’s passionate about storytelling, building a brand from the ground up, and making a real impact—this is one worth sharing. Old Shores Golf, a new world-class destination in Florida’s panhandle by Michael Keiser Jr. (with the first course by Tom Doak underway), is looking for a Marketing Manager to help bring this vision to life. If someone in your network comes to mind, I’d appreciate you passing this along. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gADqr-87 #BucketListGolf #DestinationGolf #NowHiring #GolfCareers #HospitalityCareers #MarketingManager
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Mike Blake liked thisCome join a company recently recognized as one of the Best Places to Work by both Crains Chicago Business and Sports Business Journal. We have an amazing finance team and looking for future finance leaders as we continue to grow.Mike Blake liked thisKempersports is looking to hire a Staff Accountant. This is a great opportunity to join the Kempersports family
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Mike Blake liked thisIf anyone in my network across Ireland or the UK is looking for a passionate rockstar golf professional, I highly recommend connecting with Kevin Fitzsimons. I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside him at KemperSports and have seen firsthand the impact he’s made on his properties, teams, and guests. Wishing you and your family the very best in this next chapter in Ireland — excited to see where the journey takes you.Mike Blake liked thisTo everyone in my KemperSports family - thank you. As I wrap up my time with this great company, I've been reflecting on just how fortunate I've been. I had the privilege of working alongside incredible people, from standout daily fee courses to world-class destination venues. The visits, the conversations, and relationships built along the way are what I'll carry with me most. Every experience at Kemper reaffirmed what I already knew: this team and its people are truly special. To everyone who mentored, coached, and supported me - I am deeply grateful. You've shaped my career in ways I won't forget. As many of you know, my next chapter takes me across the Atlantic, I'll be continuing life's journey with my family in Ireland. I'm genuinely excited for what's ahead, though I'll miss this community more than I can say. Finally, I'm still actively looking for opportunities within the golf industry, so if you know of anything (or just want to connect) please don't hesitate to reach out. #GolfIreland #GolfIndustry #KemperSports #ThankYou #NewChapter #OpenToWork
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Mike Blake liked thisMike Blake liked thisI am pleased to announce that I've joined KemperSports today as Vice President of Hospitality! After leading operations at luxury and lifestyle hotels in Chicago, I am stepping into this role to elevate performance, guest experiences, and operational standards across KemperSports’ outstanding collection of premier golf resorts. I am Grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to connecting with others in hospitality and golf.
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Mike Blake liked thisMike Blake liked thisDear Colleagues: After more than 30 years of service, I’ll be transitioning from ASAE at the end of this fiscal year in August. It’s hard to fully capture what these three decades have meant to me. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary community of leaders, innovators, and changemakers who care deeply about the role associations play in advancing professions, industries, and society. Thank you for the partnership, the ideas, and the shared commitment to progress. We’ve accomplished a great deal together. As I reflect on that time, what I value most is the work we’ve done together as a community. None of it happened alone. Whether we were building new spaces for learning or experimenting with what might come next, the consistent through‑line was collaboration and a shared belief in the role associations play in shaping professions and society. I’m grateful to have been part of efforts such as creating the Association Technology Conference, strengthening ASAE’s Technology Advisory Council and broader technology community, opening new doors for connection through Demo Days, and more recently launching the inaugural Association AI Summit. Each of these was powered by community curiosity, trust, and willingness to try something new. I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to do this work with the support of remarkable CEOs—Susan Sarfati, FASAE, CAE; the late John Graham, FASAE, CAE; Susan Robertson, CAE; and currently Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE—who encouraged innovation while grounding it in mission, culture, and purpose. Their leadership made it possible for me to learn alongside the community while sitting at the intersection of organizational strategy, technology strategy, culture, and innovation. Our association technology community is in the midst of profound change. New infrastructure models are being developed, AI is here to stay, and mergers and acquisitions are changing the suppliers’ landscape. I want to spend more time thinking, speaking and educating about these changes, especially around how AI is reshaping how associations operate, serve members, and make decisions. This is work I am passionate about, and it’s becoming harder to give it the focus it deserves while also managing the day-to-day technology operations at ASAE. To my current and former staff colleagues at ASAE, thank you. The teams I’ve had the privilege of serving and leading are the reason this journey has been so meaningful. Your generosity, talent, and commitment to doing the work well made everything better. While this chapter is ending, the work continues. I’m looking forward to a new journey and to continuing to share, learn, and contribute insights shaped by everything this community has taught me. My sincere hope is that I have given a fraction of what this community has given me. With deep gratitude for the past—and optimism for what’s ahead. Reggie
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Mike Blake liked thisMike Blake liked thisWhile it’s a Saturday, today marks 8 (!!!) years at American Hotel & Lodging Association, so a big thank you to Kevin Carey for bringing me on board in 2018 and supporting my growth at AHLA. Throughout my education and career, I’ve sought to elevate leaders who are women, whether through Forté Foundation, Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF), Chief or FORWARD (which launched my first year at AHLA). Here are my top ten takeaways from #FORWARD26: 1. "You need to know your belief system and mental tape...have confidence in being comfortable in your own skin." Dagmar Boggs 2. A la US Weekly, Bobbi Brown is "just like us" and shops at Homegoods (so validating! 😉); she cares about the whole experience of shopping at Jones Road Beauty stores...the greeting matters, and this made me reflect on how my TSA agent extended hospitality at 6 am by wishing me a belated Happy Birthday on my flight down to ATL. Graciousness can happen anywhere. Travis McKie, Dina Belon, Douglas Browne MBA and Paul Wegert, CHA ☑will be happy to know she gave a special shout-out to independents as a fellow hotelier. 3. Bobbi quoted Liz Murray, and everyone wrote it down re: resilience - "So What, Now What?" What a great mantra. 4. Dimple Jethani advised that we need to "not move too fast OR too slow" regarding #AI - the calibration is important. 5. Fellow FORWARD/ELEVATE cohort member Andrea R. Everhart, CHA advised, "Not all feedback is made to be carried by you" - and a hush literally went over the room. 6. "Color is your compass, body is your architecture, fabric is your longevity, and accessories are your signature." - Susana Nudelman Perczek 7. "Social impact is an antidote to disengagement" and "When you show up for others and then need space, you will get the grace" – couldn't agree more with Stacy Huston 8. "Fill your goodwill well" - advice from the late Arne Sorenson shared by Tricia Primrose - who also shared that regardless of your seniority, you can "be the champion for what you want to see in the culture"💯 9. From White Lodging ally Aaron (AJ) Brow, ACC, SPHR, NACD.DC, influence means "good things happen after you're gone." ✅ 10. There is a difference between "knowledge and knowing" - Bonnie Wan Save the date for FORWARD/27 - May 6-7 in D.C.!💜
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Mike Blake liked thisMike Blake liked thisWe are excited to welcome Jason McCarty to the KemperSports family as Director of Golf at Tepetonka Club, a new destination private club nestled in Minnesota! With more than 20 years of experience in the golf industry, Jason has worked at some of the most respected clubs around the world, including Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, Sebonack Golf Club, and most recently, Cabot St. Lucia – Point Hardy Golf Club. Thrilled to be bringing Jason's wealth of experience and passion for golf and hospitality to Tepetonka as the club prepares to open for member play later this summer. #ThisIsKemperSports
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Mike Blake liked thisThis is a big one. Proud to welcome Jessica Janis to RUCKUS Networks —adding another top-tier industry talent to an already outstanding team. Jess will be focused on building & strengthening direct relationships with property management groups, ownership, and developers—helping guide capital planning and bringing RUCKUS into projects earlier in the lifecycle. That early engagement is key, and it directly translates into stronger opportunities and wins for our LSP partners. This role has been a missing piece—and now it’s filled with the right person. Welcome to the Pack, Jess!!!! Brian Ambrosio Sarah Caputo Cody Morash JD Bryant Ushpak Patel Scott Fain Joseph Martin Matthew Schilleman Matt BiancoMike Blake liked thisAfter 10.5 incredible years with Corning Optical Communications, it’s time for a new adventure! I’m thrilled to share that I’ve officially joined RUCKUS Networks as a Senior Asset Partner on Steven Bronken's Hospitality team — excited to be joining the Pack and contributing to the next wave of innovation at the intersection of connectivity and guest experience. Reflecting on my Corning years, I feel immense gratitude for my talented colleagues, mentors, and friends who made the journey unforgettable. Together, we tackled projects that shaped how venues and brands connect — from stadiums and resorts to hotels pushing the limits of fiber and wireless technology. At RUCKUS Networks, I’ll be partnering with property management teams, ownership groups, and developers to build stronger relationships, guide capital planning decisions, and help bring scalable, future-ready network infrastructure to life across their portfolios. RUCKUS Networks has built its reputation on reliability, creativity, and collaboration — the same foundations I’ve valued throughout my career. I can’t wait to partner across the hospitality industry to help shape what’s next for the connected guest experience. Here’s to fresh starts, familiar faces, and the unshakable belief that strong connections — both personal and network-based — make all the difference. Excited to run with the Pack! #HTNG #HITEC #AHLA #T100 #HospitalityTech #NewBeginnings
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Mike Blake liked thisMike Blake liked thisAfter many rewarding years in technology leadership, I have decided to retire and close this chapter of my professional career. With this decision comes a mix of gratitude, reflection, and excitement for what lies ahead. Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside so many talented, dedicated, and supportive colleagues. The projects we tackled together, the challenges we solved, and the relationships built along the way are what made the journey truly meaningful. I’m grateful for the mentorship, collaboration, and friendships that developed over the years. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. I truly value the many memories and connections that will stay with me long after this transition. As I step away from my day-to-day role, I’m looking forward to having more time to spend with family & friends and to explore new interests, while keeping the door open for meaningful opportunities to continue to share my knowledge and experience.
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Jeremiah Myers, CISSP, MBA
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Ron Searle
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Andrew Streetman
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Prashant Kelker
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