The Thing Orlando
A live event for leaders ready to scale what’s working and move faster with clarity and momentum.
November 14–16, 2025
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista, FL
3 Days | 10 Sessions | 20+ Speakers | 1 Purpose
Inspiring Bold Action
Connecting You to the Right Room
Equipping You to Scale What’s Working
Is This Event For You?
Where Clarity Creates Momentum
The Thing isn’t about inspiration for “someday.” It’s about real strategies from entrepreneurs, marketers, creators, and leaders who are in the trenches, building businesses that work right now.
You won’t find recycled fluff or theory here. Just proven ideas and actionable insights you can use before you even leave the room.
Everyone is together in one room. No breakouts. No decision fatigue. That means every speaker builds on the last, the conversation compounds, and your clarity gets sharper by the hour.
And it’s not just from the stage. From hot seats to Q&A, panels to real-time conversations, you’ll get direct input on your business. Add in the right peers at your table, and you’ll leave with questions answered, momentum restored, and a plan you can actually execute.
Because clarity without action is just noise. At The Thing, clarity becomes momentum, and momentum changes everything.
What You’ll Learn: Equipping You to Do Your Thing
At The Thing, your ideas deserve more than inspiration. They deserve a plan, a community, and tools that scale.
We focus on the essentials every leader needs to grow what’s already working:
Growth – Learn exactly what’s working to scale in today’s economy, without burning out or stalling out.
Marketing – Attract the right audience with strategies that cut through the noise and align with your voice.
Content – Use podcasts, video, and AI to expand your reach and drive engagement that actually converts.
Innovation – Turn pressure and challenges into creativity, adaptability, and new opportunities for growth.
Authenticity – Build a brand that reflects who you truly are, and still wins in the marketplace.
Leadership – Shape vision, culture, and teams that thrive long after you leave the room.
Community – Surround yourself with peers who push you higher, spark collaborations, and open doors you can’t open alone..
Our speakers aren’t here just to inspire you from a stage. They’re here to equip you with the exact strategies they use in their own businesses, right now.
Our speakers aren’t here to impress you. They’re here to equip you with the same tools and frameworks they use in their own businesses every day.
That’s the difference. This isn’t theoretical. It’s tactical, practical, and personal
Exciting Additions to The Thing for 2025!
Unprecedented Networking Opportunities
Supercharge your connections like never before! Imagine connecting with fellow innovators, industry giants, and like-minded leaders in ways that are as engaging as they are impactful. Our Expanded Welcome Reception on Friday night is more than just a kickoff—it’s a launchpad for powerful relationships. And with our all-new gamification elements, we’re making networking not just productive but downright fun. These aren’t just casual meet-and-greets; they’re high-energy, meaningful engagements that will resonate far beyond the event, creating connections that can transform your business.
Solution Spaces
& Genius Circles
Get ready to transform your business! Our Solution Spaces & Genius Circles are more dynamic than ever. Picture this: mini breakout sessions designed to tackle your most pressing business challenges and ambitious ideas. Surround yourself with a powerhouse mix of experts and peers, all eager to roll up their sleeves and dive deep into the nitty-gritty of your business. Whether you’re wrestling with a challenge or refining a concept, these circles are where breakthroughs happen.
More Panels
& In-Depth Conversations
Due to overwhelming demand, we’re bringing you More Panels and Conversations that dig deeper into the topics that matter most to your success. These aren’t just theoretical discussions—expect actionable insights from practitioners who live and breathe what they teach. You’ll hear from professionals who are in the trenches daily, sharing real-world strategies that you can apply to elevate your business immediately.
Unlike your typical lecture style conference, at The Thing, you get to learn together and play together with the speakers, blurring the lines so that we’re all peers working on our thing and sharing our expertise and wisdom with each other.
The Thing Experience
One Event, Three Options
The Main Thing
November 14–16
The Main Thing is a three-day event for leaders who’ve built momentum and are ready to scale. Over 20 speakers will share exactly what’s working in their businesses today. No fluff, no theory.
And unlike other events, there’s no green room. The speakers are in the room with you, answering questions, making connections, and engaging in the same conversations you are.
You’ll Get:
- 3 Days with 20+ Speakers in one room.
- 10 Sessions designed to scale what’s working now
- Access to peers who’ve built real businesses, not just hype
- Clarity, community, and a concrete plan to take home
The VIP Thing
November 13-16
VIP isn’t about better seats. It’s about better access.
From a private leadership day at Walt Disney World to exclusive mastermind-style sessions, the VIP path puts you shoulder-to-shoulder with speakers and peers who are playing at your level.
For leaders who want deeper connection and access.
If you know the right room and the right relationships are what move you forward, VIP is the move.
You’ll Get:
- 4+ Days with leaders and peers who move fast
- Private Creativity + Leadership Day at Disney World (learn from the best in business + culture)
- Friday VIP Workshop (a curated deep dive before the event opens)
- Speaker + VIP lunches (real conversations, not just stage talks)
For Builders who want the room and the relationships, VIP is the move.
The VVIP Thing
November 11-16
VVIP is for leaders who want to skip the line and step directly into the inner circle.
It starts with a private dinner hosted by Terry & Leslie, then dives into a full-day whiteboard session with other high-level entrepreneurs. Add Disney experiences, VIP access, and a seat at every private session, and you’ve got the most intimate, transformative path into the year ahead.
For leaders who want speed, proximity, and clarity.
If you’re hungry for acceleration, ready for high-level hot seats, and want direct access to the people on stage, VVIP is the only option.
You’ll Get:
- 5.5 Days immersed with Terry, Leslie, and a select group of leaders
- Private VVIP Dinner + Whiteboard Strategy Sessions
- Disney World experiences are designed to spark creativity and a fresh perspective
- Every VIP benefit included (Disney Day, Friday Workshop, Speaker lunches)
- The inner circle conversations most people will never hear
Event Highlights
What Happens at The Thing
- Mainstage keynotes that inspire and activate
- Panel discussions where you hear from people doing the work
- Speakers who don’t hide in green rooms, they sit beside you
- Deep conversations that go way past business and get real
- Creative collisions, collaborations, and connections that last
- An intentional culture, rooted in purpose, fueled by action, and shaped by The Thing Manifesto
- Surprise bonuses like, private events, special dinners, and unforgettable surprise moments
Why The Thing Works?
Because we built it different.
No fluff. No hype. No “networking” that feels gross.
Just real people, real momentum, and real transformation.
The Thing Is Built on 3 Pillars
🧩 Belonging by Default
You don’t have to earn your way in. If you’re here, you’re one of us.
🚀 Ideas in Motion
Get clear, and finally take action on the ideas that keep you up at night.
🤝 Shared Brilliance
This isn’t a room full of takers. It’s a room full of people who show up to build together.
What Can I Expect?
- 2 Days
- 7 Sessions
- 16+ Speakers
Who The Thing is For?
We’re not trying to be everything for everyone. If you see yourself in any of these, you’re in the right place:
🚀 Big-Hearted Entrepreneurs
You have bold ideas and the drive to make them real. You want to build something meaningful, create real impact, and see tangible results. But you need help.
🎨 Creatives, Leaders, and Dreamers
You’ve been told you’re “too much,” “too passionate,” or “too different”—but you know your unique energy is your strength. Here, your creativity and vision aren’t just welcome; they’re celebrated.
🌟 Visionaries Who Break the Mold
You crave a community that values boldness, innovation, and authenticity over conformity. You’re looking for a place where big thinking is encouraged and new ideas are championed.
🤝 Collaborators Seeking Connection
You’re tired of going it alone. You want clarity, support, and genuine relationships. If you’re ready to connect, collaborate, and grow alongside a generous community, The Thing is for you.
Who The Thing Isn't For?
The Thing is intentionally designed—and that means it’s not the right fit for:
🚫 People who lead with ego
If you’re only here to pitch yourself, dominate conversations, or collect contacts without contributing—this isn’t your room.
🚫 Transactional takers
We believe in building with generosity. If you’re asking “What do I get?” before “How can I give?”—this probably isn’t your scene.
🚫 The status-quo crowd
If you’re satisfied with surface-level, comfortable with conformity, or looking for the same-old-same-old conference experience, we’re not your vibe.
🚫 Lone wolves
If you’re not open to collaboration, connection, or community—The Thing won’t work for you. We go further together.
Registration Details
Secure Your Spot
This is where your next chapter begins. Whether you’re just discovering your Thing or ready to take it louder, further, and deeper, join us in Nashville. And we’ll save you a seat.
The Main Thing
Nov 14-16- Welcome Resource Pack
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Breaks
- 10 Large Group Sessions
- Guaranteed Seating to All Sessions
- 3 Incredible Days working ON your business
- Access to The Thing Hub Private Facebook Community
- Access to Exclusive Discounted Disney World Tickets
The VIP Thing
Nov 13-16- Includes everything in The Main Thing plus
- VIP Creativity and Leadership Day at Walt Disney World on Thursday
- Bonus VIP ONLY Workshops on Friday Morning
- VIP Meal with Some of Our Speakers
- Reserved VIP Seating for Main Sessions
- Autographed books from several of the speakers
- Limited Number of Attendees
The VVIP Thing
Nov 11-16- Includes everything in The Main Thing plus
- Everything in The VIP THING plus
- Whiteboard Session Working On Your Ideas, Products, Projects, Books and Brands.
- Dinner Tuesday night at a Disney Springs Restaurant
- All Day Wednesday in Wyndham Presidential Suite 11/12
- Private Lunch and Dinner in our Suite
- A Bonus Day and a half that will shape the future of your business
- Extremely Limited Number of Attendees
Curated Sessions to Help You Grow
Speakers and Guests
From the beginning, the vision was clear: no green room, no barriers. The same leaders who speak from the stage sit beside you at the table. Many of them started as attendees and now they’re the ones leading the conversation.
This isn’t about celebrity keynotes. It’s about access to proven leaders who’ve built real businesses, created iconic brands, and shaped culture at the highest levels.
Our past speakers and guests have worked with brands like Disney, NBA, Amazon, USPS, TED, Nickelodeon, NASA, Farmers Insurance, Ford Motor Company, WB, Walmart, and Pepsi, as well as thriving startups, agencies, and personal brands.
Names you might recognize:
- Lee Cockerell, former Disney VP
- Butch Hartman, creator of The Fairly Odd Parents
- Rachel Miller, Facebook growth strategist
- Jeff Goins, bestselling author
- Leigh Holt, Artist & Brand Manager
- Ken Davis, speaking coach
- Jonathan Lee Iverson, Ringmaster for Ringling Brothers Circus
- and many more…
At The Thing, you don’t just hear from leaders like this. You sit with them.
Meet Your Host
Terry Weaver is a business coach, author of Making Elephants Fly, and idea strategist for leaders who are ready to scale what’s working.
He’s helped remarkable entrepreneurs move from stuck to soaring. Shifting from businesses that drain them to platforms that pay them for what they know, not just what they do.
The Thing is Terry’s answer to a problem he saw over and over: leaders building in isolation, capped by their own momentum. By bringing together proven speakers, driven entrepreneurs, and a curated community, The Thing gives you clarity, access, and the right room to go further, faster.
Because none of us scale alone. We scale together.
Rachel Miller
Organic Traffic Strategist
Lee Cockerell
Former Disney Vice President
Leigh Holt
Artist and Brand Manager
Butch Hartman
Creator of Fairly Odd Parents
Jeff Goins
Celebrated author, and speaker
Shana Lynn Bresnahan
Community Growth Strategist
Jonathan Lee Iverson
The Last Ringmaster for Ringling Brothers Circus
Liz Wilcox
Fresh Princess of Email Marketing and Survivor Contestant
Ken Davis
Renown Speaker Trainer
Julia McCoy
President at Content at Scale
Mike Kim
Coach and Marketing Strategist
Justin Schenck
Growth Now Movement
Brittany Hodak
Customer Experience Speaker & Author
Djuan Rivers
Former Vice President of Disney's Animal Kingdom
C. McNair Wilson
Creative Director & Former Disney Imagineer
Harris III
Estoria Collective
Jeremy Cowart
Photographer & Philanthropist
Phil Mershon
Experience Designer
Adrienne Dorison
Run Like Clockwork
Austin Armstrong
CEO, Syllaby
Leslie Weaver
Founder, Enteractive Leaders
Official Sponsors and Partners
You Don’t Need Another Event.
You Need the Right Room.
The Thing isn’t a conference. It’s a curated community of leaders who are building businesses they actually love.
This is where clarity compounds, connections turn into collaborations, and action replaces ideas. No spectators. No sidelines. Just peers, mentors, and strategies that help you move further, faster.
You’ve built momentum. Now it’s time for your breakthrough.
There’s a seat waiting for you in Orlando.
The only question is: will you take it?
Our Host Venue & City
Just Outside Orlando
The Thing Orlando 2025 is hosted at Wyndham Lake Buena Vista in Florida. Located off I-4, about 30 minutes from Orlando International Airport in the Disney Springs® Area.
The Wyndham Lake Buena Vista has meeting space where we’ll meet together around tables. Building community, each other and our businesses. It’s located walking distance from great dining, Disney property and nightlife.
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs
A block of rooms has been reserved for the event. Please make your reservations by November 7, 2025 to receive your group rate. Reservations made after this date will be subject to prevailing rates and availability.
To get the discounted rate with free parking, breakfast and evening snacks use the link below.