Igniting Transformation: How a Immersive Change Management Speaker Elevated KCI’s Immersive Event for Engineering and Construction Leaders
In the world of engineering and construction, the ability to adapt, innovate, and transform is paramount. KCI Technologies, a leading provider of comprehensive engineering, architectural, environmental, and construction services, recognized this imperative and embarked on a remarkable journey to ignite a transformative shift within their organization.
This year, I had the honor of joining KCI’s convention in Tampa as their change management speaker, delivering a keynote that went beyond information and into immersive transformation. The event was aptly themed “Ignite the Transformation”—and that’s exactly what it achieved.
Key Takeaways
- Transformation is a critical imperative in the engineering and construction industry, and KCI recognized the need to ignite a transformative shift within their organization.
- Their annual convention was meticulously designed to be a deeply interconnected experience, with every element serving a specific purpose in the overall transformation journey.
- Sylvie di Giusto’s immersive holographic keynote captivated the audience and challenged them to embrace change and innovation.
- The integration of KCI’s CEO, Chris Griffith, into the 3D holographic keynote exemplified the company’s forward-thinking approach and reinforced the theme of transformation as a shared movement.
- Additional workshops provided attendees with the tools and knowledge they needed to drive transformation within their respective areas of responsibility.
- Physical reminders, such as the holographic brain lamp, and an exclusive online course ensured that the transformation journey continued long after the convention had ended.
- KCI’s convention in Tampa was a testament to the power of strategic, cohesive event planning, creating an experience that truly ignited a transformative shift within the organization.
The Keynote that Set the Stage
The driving force behind this transformative event was the exceptional collaboration between KCI’s CEO, Chris Griffith, and the event visionary, Tracey Callender. Together, they orchestrated an experience that went beyond the traditional conference format, weaving together purpose, engagement, and the tools for lasting change.
From the outset, it was clear that this event was not just a series of sessions, but a deeply interconnected journey designed to inspire and energize KCI’s ongoing transformation. Every element of the conference served a specific purpose, seamlessly contributing to the overall theme and objectives.
As a change management speaker, I often stress the importance of continuity in messaging—and this event excelled at exactly that. Because change is never achieved by a single presentation. Transformation is not something that happens in a keynote-shaped vacuum. It’s not delivered in an hour and forgotten by lunch. Real change is cultivated. It’s revisited. It’s reinforced in the way people are welcomed into the room, in the tone set by leadership, in the language used on stage, and in the conversations that follow.
KCI understood this. They didn’t treat my keynote as the “main event,” but rather as one intentional touchpoint in a longer, thoughtfully designed experience. From the pre-event messaging that framed transformation as a company-wide commitment, to the way every session aligned with the theme of “Ignite the Transformation,” the narrative was consistent and purposeful.
That’s what embedding transformation looks like. It’s not a one-time spark—it’s a sustained flame. And that’s what a change management speaker needs to be successful in delivering lasting impact—not just inspiration. When an organization commits to threading transformation through every layer of its event, a speaker’s message doesn’t just land—it takes root. It becomes part of a larger movement. And that’s when change isn’t just talked about—it’s lived.
Stepping into the Immersive Experience
Adding an unprecedented touch to the keynote, KCI’s CEO, Chris Griffith, himself became part of the immersive experience. Stepping into a 3D holographic environment, he shared his vision for KCI’s future, giving the audience a tangible, inspiring view of the path ahead.
This bold move exemplified KCI’s forward-thinking approach, demonstrating their commitment to innovation and their willingness to embrace new technologies to drive transformation. By integrating his message seamlessly into my keynote, the event organizers reinforced the theme of transformation as not just a goal, but a shared movement within the company. As a change management speaker, it’s rare and refreshing to see such alignment between executive leadership and the event experience itself.
Yes, I get it—organizations and conference planners often have well-established agendas and familiar formats. The script is predictable: an emcee welcomes the audience, someone from leadership delivers opening remarks, housekeeping notes are read, and a bio is rattled off before the first speaker takes the stage. But let’s be honest—who’s really there to hear a list of my credentials? Shouldn’t the audience trust that, if I’m standing on that stage, the organizers have already ensured I have what it takes to serve them?
If we want to talk about change, we have to model it. And modeling change means being willing to change the format. KCI did just that. Instead of following protocol, we opened the event not with a slow warm-up, but with an unexpected surge of energy and emotional depth. Chris Griffith didn’t deliver a typical welcome from a podium under bright lights. He joined me after my keynote—inside a 3D immersive world, created just for him.
Known for his passion as a dedicated diver, Chris was welcomed into a breathtaking underwater world full of wonder. From that space, he delivered his vision for KCI’s future. Not from a podium. From a story. Not as a script. But as a shared experience.
That’s what real change looks like. And that’s what makes a change management speaker truly successful: not delivering into a static environment but stepping into transformation alongside the company’s leadership. Celebrating change not as a concept, but as a felt experience. Together.
Diving Deeper: Workshops and Actionable Insights
Following my keynote, we didn’t just wrap up with applause and inspiration—we kept going. Because yes, a keynote is inspiring. It’s eye-opening. It’s thought-provoking. It plays an essential role in initiating change and transformation. But it can only do so much.
That’s why we followed with a hands-on, practical workshop designed specifically for KCI’s leaders. This session gave them the opportunity to go deeper—to explore how they, as human beings and as role models, can influence transformation using the tools they already possess.
We asked important, sometimes uncomfortable questions. Are you perceived as a true change-maker? Do your employees see you—literally see you—as a transformation leader in the meetings where change is being discussed? What impact does your visual appearance have on how credible, intentional, or future-ready you appear? We explored how behavior—subtle and overt—can either support or sabotage transformation efforts. We looked at how leaders communicate the changes ahead: is their message clear and consistent? Or are they relying on jargon and outdated scripts?
We examined their digital footprint—how online presence, email tone, and virtual interactions either reinforce or undermine the message of change. And we dove into their environment. Not just office layouts, but the people they surround themselves with. The energy they create in their teams. The micro-environments they build through every interaction. Do they say, breathe, and embody change in every detail?
Because real transformation isn’t about what’s said on a mainstage. It’s about what’s modeled afterward. That’s where my work as a change management speaker becomes truly meaningful—when I’m given the opportunity to go beyond 45 minutes and roll up my sleeves alongside leaders who are ready to make change real. Tangible. Visible. Sustainable. That’s the moment a keynote becomes a catalyst.
Reinforcing the Transformation: Physical Reminders and Online Learning
To further solidify the event’s transformative impact, each attendee received a unique physical reminder—a holographic brain lamp symbolizing the power of choice and innovative thinking. This giveaway was not just a keepsake; it was part of a comprehensive learning experience that extended online with a course, ensuring the transformation continued long after the convention had ended.
The brain lamp served as a tangible representation of the 3D immersive experience, reinforcing the importance of embracing new ideas and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. By providing this physical reminder, the organizers ensured that the lessons and inspiration from the event would continue to resonate with the KCI team, even as they returned to their day-to-day responsibilities. It also included information on how to access an online course that dove even deeper into the concepts introduced that day.
It’s a model more organizations should adopt—especially those working with a change management speaker whose message is built to endure beyond the applause. Because the reality is: education should never stop when the lights go down and the chairs are stacked. Event organizers can’t assume that attendees will walk out of a conference and instantly implement everything they’ve heard. They won’t. Not because they don’t want to—but because transformation takes time, reinforcement, and repetition.
One of the most overlooked ROI drivers of an event is what happens after the event. Are attendees supported in applying what they’ve learned? Are they reminded, re-engaged, and reconnected to the messages over time? If not, even the most powerful keynote risks becoming a fleeting moment instead of a lasting movement.
Continuous learning—through tools like follow-up courses, coaching, discussion prompts, or leadership support—isn’t an optional add-on. It’s the bridge between inspiration and implementation. And for a change management speaker, that bridge is everything. It’s what allows the message to move from idea to action. From concept to culture.
That’s why what KCI did matters so much—not just in what they planned during the event, but in how they set their leaders up to keep growing after it.
Transformation Isn’t a Keynote or Event—It’s a Decision
KCI’s convention in Tampa was a testament to the power of strategic, cohesive event planning. By seamlessly integrating purpose, engagement, and the tools for lasting change, the organizers created an experience that went beyond the traditional conference format, truly igniting a transformative shift within the organization.
I was deeply honored to play a role in this extraordinary journey, contributing my expertise and unique approach to the keynote presentation. My message, combined with the innovative elements of the event, resonated deeply with the KCI team, inspiring them to embrace the power of transformation and push the limits of what’s possible. And as a change management speaker, this type of impact—long-term, leader-led, and culture-deep—is what makes my work most meaningful.
Sylvie di Giusto is a change management speaker who helps organizations communicate change more effectively, shape transformation-ready cultures, and make intentional choices about how they lead into the future. Known for her immersive presentations and use of technology such as holographic keynote delivery, Sylvie works with companies ready to empower their people and embrace innovation from within.
Learn more about the 3D Immersive Experience here.
KCI Technologies Inc. is a 100% employee-owned engineering, consulting, and construction firm that serves clients across the United States. With a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and people-first leadership, KCI continues to set new standards in the built environment.
Learn more at kci.com.
