Jim Knight

Jim Knight is not your average keynote speaker. As the former Senior Director of Training & Development at Hard Rock International, Knight brings his high energy, interactive and entertaining approach to deliver insights on organizational culture, customer service, employee branding, performance management, philanthropy, facilitation training, personal development, and leadership skills.

Knight has a degree in Vocal Performance & Education and taught in the Florida public school system for 6 years, before embarking on his hospitality training career.

The acclaimed author of Culture That Rocks, Jim Knight began his 30+-year career in hospitality training as a restaurant staff-level employee for Olive Garden and Hard Rock Cafe, before serving as the head of the School of Hard Rocks, running point on all global training and development functions for Hard Rock International. In this role, Knight managed and contributed to all facets of organizational training, including staff and management training materials and programs, the corporate university, management training locations, company e-Learning initiatives, leadership transitions, and on-site training and assessment.

During his time with the Hard Rock brand, his team won multiple Telly Awards, as well as a Gold Best in Class Award from Brandon Hall's Excellence in Learning. Knight was also recognized by Training Magazine, as representing one of the Top 125 training companies in the world, out of all industries and businesses. Since 2012, Jim Knight has been featured in Forbes Magazine, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, Business News Daily and Fox Business News and was highlighted in 2015 as one of the “Top 5 Speakers to Watch.”  
 

A portion of Knight’s book and speaking proceeds goes to No Kid Hungry, a campaign to eliminate childhood hunger in the U.S.

With thought-provoking content and a refreshing, edgy delivery style, Jim Knight shares his unique, seasoned outlook on company culture, guest service, building teams, employee engagement, training and philanthropy to help organizations achieve rock star status.