PrimeTime is certainly no stranger to Nashville. This August, Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) was back in the ever-energetic Music City for our summer 2025 event and expo.
Naturally, a city like Nashville demands an attention-grabbing, kick-off keynote to match — and serial entrepreneur, author, and endurance athlete Jesse Itzler rose to the challenge after years of being on NMG’s PrimeTime speaker short list. As Itzler himself would put it, we did not quit in our pursuit, and the persistence paid off.
Before Itzler’s time on stage, NMG CEO Tom Hickman set the tone with a reminder of the power of connection — PrimeTime’s mantra for the near future, because it succinctly captures the spirit of the show. In Hickman’s own words, PrimeTime is about “creating something bigger and better than we can do individually on our own.” Through that synergy, magic happens. Sparks of inspiration fly.
Hickman also recognized that coming to PrimeTime is an investment for NMG members who choose to step away from their businesses for a few days while attending the bi-annual event. “You made a serious choice, and we want to deliver on that,” Hickman emphasized, citing NMG’s commitment to provide impactful value at every PrimeTime show.
NMG CEO Tom Hickman (August 2025)
And lastly, Hickman reminded members that, while times are uncertain, the independent channel has weathered worse and emerged stronger in the face of past challenges. Using a surfing analogy, Hickman noted that “we can’t wait for perfect conditions to go,” but can instead take advantage of small waves to gain momentum and enjoy the ride. Essentially, those who lean in, connect with intention, and act now will continue to grow stronger — together.
This charge segued perfectly into Itzler’s overall message about choosing to take action in the face of uncertainty. With a history of moving forward when others might pull back, Itzler shared several stories emphasizing that some of his biggest opportunities were never in a business plan. Through these examples, he challenged all attendees to “create your own luck” by caring more, embracing urgency and discomfort, and building deep, authentic, and meaningful relationships.
With an emphasis on positive thinking, Itzler encouraged audience members to answer the question, “How are you doing?” with an enthusiastic “Outstanding!” Echoing Hickman’s earlier statements, Itzler’s keynote ended on the idea that living with no regrets means putting your soul into everything you do — both in business and in life.
PrimeTime Keynote: Jesse Itzler (August 2025)
Hickman returned to the stage for closing remarks, highlighting several exciting PrimeTime agenda items, including a completely revamped Mattress University, an AI-focused session led by Google, the always popular Palooza buying frenzy, Nationwide Learning Academy courses, meal packing with No Child Hungry, and more.
No Child Hungry meal packing (August 2025)
As attendees exited the room for a welcome reception, the collective energy embodied Itzler’s “Outstanding!” encouragement — a true testament to the power of connection.
