ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Are you ready to be inspired at the NACS Show this year? Kicking things off on Wednesday, October 19, with an uplifting and engaging message on the power of optimism will be general session speaker Steve Gross, the founder and chief playmaker of the Life is Good Playmakers. The announcement is part of this year’s NACS Speaker Week.

At the heart of his work, Gross helps others access their own playfulness so that they can build resilience and bring greater joy, connection, courage and creativity to their work and lives. In what promises to be an inspiring, moving and entertaining presentation, Gross will share research and first-hand lessons that demonstrate how optimistic leaders inspire and energize everyone around them—especially in challenging, change-filled times. He will introduce the concept that “play” is not something you do, but rather a spirit you bring to everything you do, and he will provide practical advice for accessing and cultivating that playful, optimistic spirit.

The Life is Good Playmakers is a 501(c)(3) public charity that partners with frontline professionals—teachers, social workers and child life specialists—who dedicate their lives to helping children overcome poverty, violence and illness. These Playmakers use the power of play to build healing, life-changing relationships with the children in their care.

Register today for the NACS Show, taking place October 18–21 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, at nacsshow.com.

Want to take your Show experience one step further? Retailers can submit a 60-second video answering the question, “Why attend the 2016 NACS Show in Atlanta?” and potentially win some cool prizes, including dinner at a popular celebrity chef restaurant in Atlanta, a hotel room upgrade or a champagne toast for 20 of your employees.