Each year, the team at NEILL examines emerging trends in the world of business to develop a relevant theme for Serious Business. In 2014 they asked for Trust. Last year they invited attendees to get Naked and explore transparency. Now they will be taking it to the next level and exploring Intimacy (INTO-ME-SEE) January 31 — February 1 at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans.

All of this year’s keynote speakers will explore the idea of intimacy in leadership roles, including Mel Robbins, CNN contributor and expert on strategic thinking, leadership and productivity. Her TED Talk on the brain and motivation has more than half a million views and her book on managing change and increasing productivity, Stop Saying You’re Fine, is a best seller.

Headlining speaker Robin Sharma is the author of The Leader Who Had No Title, one of the bestselling business books on the market. Sharma is a CEO advisor who has worked with Fortune 500 CEOs and leaders worldwide.

Additionally, Van Council, owner of the Van Michael Concept Salons in Atlanta, Georgia, will be delivering a keynote speech at the event. Since launching the first Van Michael Salon with his brother in 1984, their initial vision of a high-quality, creative salon has grown into multiple locations in the Atlanta area, boasting a celeb client list larger than many of their Los Angeles and New York counterparts. Council is one of the leading spokespeople for Aveda worldwide and has recently been appointed Fashion Director of Intercoiffure American/Canada.—Elizabeth Jakatis

For more information and tickets to this year’s event, visit seriousbusiness.net.