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#2 globally ranked in 2026 by Global Gurus
6 consecutive years ranked in the Top 30 worldwide
Over the years, I worked my way through nearly every role in hospitality—front desk, restaurant, housekeeping, and banquets—before moving into executive leadership.
No matter what the team is facing, I’ve found the same thing holds true: people want to feel like what they do matters. When they do, you see it in how they work, how they treat others, and the pride they take in it.
That belief carries into how I show up as a dad, how I spend time with my family, and how I connect with people in everyday moments. The same idea applies everywhere: pay attention, be present, and let people know they matter.
Outside of work, I’m a lifelong Reds fan, a frequent Costco regular, and someone who never passes up fried pickles with ranch.
Ryan Minton spent 25+ years rising through nearly every level of hospitality leadership — from frontline operations to Senior Vice President — before bringing those real-world lessons to audiences around the world.
Long before the keynote stage, Ryan was learning the importance of service, teamwork, and work ethic during busy shifts at Kings Island theme park.
1990s
This is where Ryan discovered the power of frontline culture and the impact leaders can have on employees during everyday moments — lessons that would later inspire his book Thanks for Coming In Today.
2000s
As Ryan advanced through hospitality leadership, he became known for stepping into underperforming hotels and rebuilding them from the inside out.
Known for his focus on employee recognition and culture-building, Ryan helped properties achieve top-tier customer service rankings while creating memorable experiences for both guests and associates.
Rather than relying on quick fixes or corporate mandates, Ryan built his reputation by rebuilding trust, reconnecting teams to purpose, and proving that culture, leadership, and customer experience are inseparable. Those experiences now shape the message he brings to organizations and audiences today.
2010s
Inspired by real experiences leading frontline teams, Ryan’s first book resonated with leaders across industries looking to create workplaces where people feel seen, valued, and appreciated.
During one of hospitality’s most difficult chapters, Ryan led teams through temporary closures, staffing shortages, and the long process of rebuilding operations.
As properties reopened, he worked alongside frontline teams while helping transform guest satisfaction scores from the bottom rankings to the top 25% through culture-focused leadership and frontline engagement. The experience reinforced his belief that leadership is never above service.
2020s
Overseeing hotels nationwide gave Ryan a broader executive perspective, but also confirmed what he had believed since his earliest frontline days — people are always the strategy.
Fatherhood deepened Ryan’s perspective on leadership, empathy, and the importance of creating meaningful moments that people remember long after the interaction ends.
Ryan’s second Amazon best seller expanded on his belief that positive leadership and intentional culture-building have the power to transform both employee experience and business performance.
Drawing from 25+ years of real-world leadership experience, Ryan now speaks to organizations around the world about culture, customer experience, employee engagement, and the power of positive leadership.
Today
Long before the keynote stage, Ryan was a teenager working busy shifts at Kings Island, learning firsthand how leadership, teamwork, and culture shape the guest experience.
It was one of the first places where he saw how the way people are treated behind the scenes directly impacts the experience guests remember.
Years later, he returned to the park, not as an employee, but as a keynote speaker helping the organization’s leadership team prepare for the season ahead.
Standing in the same place where his journey in hospitality first began became a powerful reminder of how small experiences, strong leaders, and everyday moments can shape an entire career.
Ryan is the best-selling author of Thanks for Coming in Today and Uplifted.
His books have changed how leaders think about their role and the impact they have on the people they lead. They show what it takes to build teams people want to be part of, and customers want to come back to.