A sneeze could’ve killed Daniel Lewis. That’s what the doctor told him after his near-death experience when he was 21 years old.

“I was stabbed multiple times in a petty interaction over lyrics to a song I composed,” Lewis said. “I nearly lost my life.”

Lewis recovered. The incident, though, clarified what matters in life, giving him perspective and balance.

“I live louder now. I love harder. I don’t waste time chasing approval,” he says. “And I’m obsessed with helping other people remember that every second is borrowed—so make it count. As the great saying goes... YOLO!”

Igniting change

Lewis is a high-energy presenter. In fact, he’s been called the “human caffeine” of speakers. He’ll bring that spark to St. Louis as one of the keynote presenters at the 2025 MPI World Education Congress (WEC), June 18-20.

He’s an author and entrepreneur who founded the award-winning tea company T By Daniel. He’s also the recipient of many awards and honors, such as the 2016 Business Excellence Award, and was named one of the 2017 Top 40 Under 40 Entrepreneurs.

His presentation, “RALLY to Lead: Igniting Connection, Collaboration & Change!” will show attendees how to ignite collaborations, supercharge their perspectives and empower themselves to lead with renewed energy and purpose.

“I want them to leave feeling electrified by possibility—like their personality, purpose and presence are actually their superpowers,” Lewis says. “It’s not about trying harder. It’s about getting clearer—on who you are, on how you show up, on what sets you apart in a sea of sameness.”

He says that if just one person leaves saying, “I didn’t realize I was allowed to be that real in my leadership,” his mission will be accomplished.

“I also want attendees to become enamored by the possibilities of success when we go at life with a collaborative mindset,” he says.

Purposeful leadership

One part of Lewis’ keynote covers purposeful leadership. It’s about how one can lead with connection and a shared purpose. By doing so, you ignite passion in those around you to achieve common goals.

“Purposeful leadership is when who you are on the inside matches how you lead on the outside,” Lewis says. “It’s leading with intention, not ego. Presence, not just power.”

For Lewis, an example of purposeful leadership was when he launched his own tea company with no business background. He just had a heart and a “why.”

“That ‘why’ was about creating joy and connection in people’s everyday lives,” he says. “And somehow, that purpose led to the most fulfilling kind of success and the wildest adventures, like serving tea to His Majesty King Charles III. Purpose finds a way.”

Bold techniques

Bold techniques are another aspect of his presentation. That’s when you apply practical strategies to unlock creativity and ideas on the spot. This will help give you and your team the energy to lead in new ways you’ve never experienced.

He witnessed this in action at one of his tea shops. A quiet and reserved team member accepted the challenge of pulling out her guitar and playing for customers while the store’s music was turned off.

“The cafe was illuminated as people turned their phone lights on and waved their hands in the air,” Lewis says. “Applause followed. That moment changed the tone of the whole day and contributed to her personal music journey, with her songs now officially recorded and streamed.”

Because she got real, he says, it also gave other team members permission to do the same.

“We began seeing all kinds of talent and skills surface and be utilized in the tea shop in creative ways,” Lewis says. “That’s bold. And that’s the power of authenticity.” 

Craving transformation

As an experienced presenter, Lewis has seen the meeting and event industry change over the last few years. It used to be more about logistics, he says, but now the industry is about meaning.

“Audiences aren’t just showing up for information—they’re craving transformation,” he says. “They want to experience a vibe. I think the future of events is deeply human-centric—more immersive, story-driven, personality-filled and built around connection. The best events won’t just be well-run. They’ll be well-felt.”

Lewis also has some ideas about how meetings and event planners can find success in the industry. It involves being empathic, having agility and a sixth sense for vibe-checking the room, even if the room is virtual.

“Today’s planners are part strategist, part storyteller, part community builder,” he says. “The secret weapon? Knowing that tech may have changed how we meet—but it hasn’t changed why we meet. It’s still about people, purpose and presence.”

General session in partnership with TA Speakers Management.