From the Express Seminar: Operation HEAL*arious Closes Out the Seminar
As the Express Seminar wrapped June 9 in Orlando, Florida, attendees from the Exchange and select vendors gathered to close out the weeklong event with a live comedy show featuring Operation HEAL*arious.
Consumables Vice President Martha Robuck greeted attendees, taking the stage to express her gratitude to those who participated in the behind-the-scenes planning and execution of the seminar, including: the Exchange’s divisional merchandising managers and buyers; Store Operations; Corporate Communication and Brand Marketing; Xcel Events; and vendor Brown Forman, who presented the comedy show.
Robuck brought Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor, onstage to introduce comedian Robin Phoenix Johnson, an Army Veteran who served 26 years. Johnson currently serves as the president of Operation HEAL*arious, an organization that uses comedy as a tool to improve the mental health and quality of life of Veterans, corporate leaders, professional athletes and more.
Johnson addressed the crowd with a special region roll call and shared more about the purpose of the tour.
“We like to talk about our experiences in the military,” Johnson said. “Ashley Gutermuth is our headliner, and we rotate out comedians. Our tour is to help us find America’s funniest Veterans and military spouses.”
Marine Veteran and comedian Doug Bennett performed his standup comedy set, interacting with the crowd by sharing his experiences with Exchange associates at the vendor expo, and was followed onstage by Gutermuth, who is an Air Force spouse and comedian.
Operation HEAL*arious comedians closed out the Express Seminar with a standup comedy show. From left: Doug Bennett, Ashley Gutermuth and Robin Phoenix Johnson.
Known for her social media influencer content on military life, including shopping at the Exchange and Express, Gutermuth poked fun at her life as a military spouse and her experience during this year’s Express Seminar to close out the show.
“This event has been a long time coming,” Robuck said. “A special thank you to Brown Forman for bringing the comedians to us and providing us with this opportunity. We can’t wait to see you all next year.”
Visit the Flickr album here to view the fun of the seminar.
Watch the vendor expo from Ashley and Doug’s point of view on Facebook and Instagram live.
Check out all the coverage from the seminar:
Express Seminar Opens With Celebration of Successes, Preview of 2023 Initiatives
From the Express Seminar: Hunt Brothers Pizza Awards Stores For Exceeding Sales Goals
From the Express Seminar: Express Teams Take Home ‘Build Your Basket’ Awards
From the Express Seminar: Suppliers of the Year Honored
From the Express Seminar: Chef Robert Irvine Talks Exchange Connection at Live “Chief Chat”
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