Worth It
The MIBE Summit is officially in the books and I’m still riding a high from the past three incredible days.
If you’ve ever poured yourself into creating something meaningful, you know the feeling that comes right after. Relief. Gratitude. Pride. And a quiet exhaustion that somehow feels different than regular tired. The kind that comes from doing work that matters.
The week leading up to the Summit tested us. A snowstorm swept across the country. Flights were delayed and plans shifted. The news cycle felt heavy and polarizing. And at one point, we even had a fire in our building. It didn’t cause enough damage to impact the event, but it was a scary moment and one more reminder that no meaningful experience comes without obstacles.
Our MIBE Summit Connection Catalysts bringing smiles and heart to the conversations
As I look back on the last few days, what stands out most isn’t the schedule, the sessions, or the logistics that took months to pull together. It’s the people. The conversations that took place. The vulnerability shared on stage. The moments where leaders connected, reflected, and realized they weren’t alone in the challenges they’re facing.
Pulling off something like the MIBE Summit takes an incredible amount of effort from a lot of people. And while it’s tempting to move quickly to what’s next, I want to pause here and acknowledge how special it was to witness so many leaders show up fully. Curious. Open. Willing to learn. Willing to grow. I am humbled and honored that you were "all in" and believe in the work we are doing.
Events like this remind me why we do the hard work. Why we obsess over details. Why we choose the harder path instead of the easier one. Because when people are given the space to think differently, connect deeply, and invest in themselves, something powerful happens. It creates a ripple effect of leaders making a positive difference in the lives of others.
To everyone who attended, spoke, supported, and contributed in any way, “Thank You!”
While the 2026 Summit is over, your next climb as a leader begins now. Take what you learned, apply one small thing, and keep making it better every day.
And remember: The summit may be the goal, but it’s the people you lift up along the way that matter most.
Keep MIBE-ing!
Anthony Lambatos
Founder, MIBE Hospitality Leadership Development
Owner, Footers Catering
P.S. Let your leadership lift others up? Sign up to join MIBE Monthly Leadership Training!
