Duane Knapp

Duane E. Knapp is a worldwide brand expert, author, entrepreneur, chairman and founder of BrandStrategy, Inc. He has delivered thousands of presentations and has personally advised over 325 brands in 14 countries including corporations, communities, societies, professional associations, institutions, countries, world-class professionals, celebrities and successful individuals who desire to optimize their perception, image and success.

He is the author of three books; The BrandPromise and The BrandMindset, published by McGraw-Hill and Destination BrandScience published by the Destination Marketing Associaton International. His BrandPromise philosophy has been highly acclaimed and he has been published, quoted or featured in hundreds of books, magazines and newspapers.

Knapp is an experienced international speaker and has taught and lectured widely at universities 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 and he has been published, quoted or featured in hundreds of publications, including BusinessWeek, Brandweek, CFO Magazine, Association Management, Marketing, Washington CEO, Bankers Magazine, Design Forum, Focus Magazine, Risk Management , Forbes Magazine Travel, Distribution Reports, Private Clubs 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.

Knapp has served on dozens of organizations' boards of directors, including Federated Western Properties, Inc. He was Director Emeritus of Longs Drug Stores (now CVS), and has held a variety of senior executive positions, including chief executive officer, president, executive vice president, vice president of corporate marketing, vice president corporate development and corporate strategist at public and private companies. These include Westin Hotels (Westin Enterprises and Discoveries retail stores and catalogs), Holiday Corporation (Holiday Inn and Holiday Clubs, Perkins Family Restaurants), The Promus Companies (Embassy Suites, Residence Inn, Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites and Harrah's Casinos) and Cinnabon World Famous Cinnamon Rolls. He advises leading law firms relating to high-profile brand and intellectual property matters and has specific expertise in the fields of travel and hospitality, food and beverage products, restaurants, retailing, health care, financial services and real estate development. He has been approved as a Senior Gaming Officer by both the New Jersey and Las Vegas Gaming Authorities.

Knapp received 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.