He has taught and lectured widely at univiersities and graduate schools throughout the United States, including Vanderbilt, Stanford, the University of California, the University of Colorado at Boulder and Seattle University. Mr. Knapp is the leading keynote speaker on the subject of building Genuine Brands. He has been published, quoted or featured in hundreds of publications, including BusinessWeek, Brandweek, CFO Magazine, Association Management, Marketing, Washington CEO, Bankers Magazine, Fortune Magazine and International Journal of Medical Marketing as well as The Seattle Times, The Journal of Commerce and many private corporate and association publications, plus television and radio talk shows.

He is the author of several books including "The BrandPromise" and "The BrandMindset," published by McGraw-Hill, "Global Destination BrandScience" and "Destination BrandScience." His newest book, "Global Destination BrandScience" outlines how a successful destination strategy goes beyond the tourism aspect; it becomes a focal point for the entire community when making strategic decisions regarding economic opportunity. The "BrandMindset" book was selected by IBM and American Express as the "must read" book for their top 400 executives. It is available in seven languages and is considered the definitive guide to building Genuine Brands.

Duane Knapps' BrandPromise philosophy is highly acclaimed and has been extensively referenced and quoted in many books and publications, including Tim Sanders' bestseller, "Love is the Killer App," Nick Wreden's "FusionBranding," Michael Levine in "A Branded World," David Aaker's, "Building Strong Brands," and Tony Simons, "The Integrity Dividened." Knapp also wrote the foreword for the "License to Serve."

Knapp is founder and chairman of BrandStrategy, Inc., which has advised over 300 brands in 15 countries worldwide including corporations, communities, societies, professional associations, institutions, countries, world-class professionals, celebrities and successful individuals who desire to optimize their preception, image and success. Selected clients include AT&T, Worldspan Reservation Systems (Delta Airlines), Callison Architecture, Raffles International, Ltd., Destination Marketing Association International, PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association), Graham & Dunn (Attorneys), QFC (Quality Food Centers, Inc.), Associated Grocers, Inc., Pacific Foods of Oregon, Inc., Restaurants Unlimited, Inc., American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), AAA (American Automobile Association), American Academy of Ophthalmology, Mercy Health, American Academy of Family Physicians, Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau, Tourism Vancouver, Community Action Partnership, Macy's Inc. (Bloomingdale's and Macy's), Ketel One Vodka, Annika Sorenstam, Darigold and Sunkist. He has also advised many leading brand design and consulting firms, including: Girvin Strategic Branding and Design, Diefenbach Elkins, GMA Research, Ypartnership and FutureBrand.

Knapp earned his BA in Business Administration from Western Michigan University and his MBA from the University of Toledo. He also completed a postgraduate program in Strategic Marketing at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Works by Mr. Knapp include:

The BrandPromise: How Costco, Ketel One, Make-A-Wish, Tourism Vancouver, & Other Leading Brands Make and Keep the Promise That Guarantees SUCCESS! It’s the new currency for success. Author, Duane E. Knapp, reveals the five step plan for finding and making a “Genuine Promise” that anyone with commitment and integrity can follow. He shares his personal experiences and insights from advising over 300 brands worldwide and his presentations to thousands of people a year.

Global Destination BrandScience, authored by Duane Knapp, is your road map to becoming a Genuine Destination Brand. It features successful leaders’ insights from dozens of destinations around the world. This global guide outlines the disciplined proven process by which a destination organization can make a unique and meaningful contribution to the economic viability of its community beyond routine travel and tourism promotions. Global Destination BrandScience was created exclusively for destinations, ports, economic development agencies, and chambers of commerce that want to enhance their destination brand success. Destination BrandScience is designed to make you the brand expert for your Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). Comprehensive in scope, reference sections also include two other previously released landmark publications: BrandScience Guide for Destination RFPs and BrandScience Guide for Destination Research.