Slowing Down Isn’t Soft — It’s Strategic
Eat, Drink & Succeed Around the World:
Where culture, conversation, and connection
turn travel into opportunity
Chicago, IL — Internationally renowned speaker and author of Eat, Drink & Succeed, Laura Schwartz brings her signature approach to connection and leadership to a global series, Eat, Drink & Succeed Around the World, created for modern travelers, leaders, and cultural connectors.
The ability to Eat, Drink & Succeed transcends borders — and in Japan, it is refined into an art form.
Here, presence is the differentiator, turning shared moments into lasting partnerships and thoughtful ideas into action and that’s what we are doing here, together throughout the country.
NEXT STOP: Hakone, Japan
After the energy of Osaka and the traditions of Kyoto, the mountains and hot springs of Hakone offered something different. Here, success isn’t chased — it emerges from thoughtful connection. And the place where that connection revealed itself most beautifully was the Dining Room at Hyatt Regency Hakone.
Pull up a chair and join me as we Eat, Drink & Succeed in Hakone, Japan.
Slowing Down Isn’t Soft — It’s Strategic
The Dining Room at Hyatt Regency Hakone, Japan
Atmosphere
Hakone’s pace is intentional: misty mornings, forested paths, and quiet ryokan doorways set the rhythm. It’s the opposite of rushing — and a reminder that the most meaningful conversations don’t happen between back-to-back meetings. They happen when there’s time to breathe, taste, think, and engage without distraction.
Walking into the Dining Room felt like stepping into that philosophy. The space is open, calm, and curated for comfort — not for chaos. Soft natural light, warm woods, and gentle service set the tone. There’s no clatter, no hurry. Just room to be present.
Conversation
In the Dining Room at Hyatt Regency Hakone, business conversations begin not with an agenda, but with awareness. In Japan, and especially in Hakone, acknowledging the setting signals respect. A simple observation about the mountains, the quiet pace, or how the environment encourages you to slow down immediately establishes harmony. It shows you are present — and presence is the foundation of trust.
Food then becomes the natural bridge. Commenting on the meal, the seasonality of the menu, or the refinement of the flavors creates a shared experience without pressure. Dining here is not rushed, and neither should conversation be. When food is approached as something to be experienced together, dialogue unfolds organically and comfortably.
Rather than leading with credentials or titles, the most effective way to deepen the conversation is to invite “story”. Asking what first brought someone to Hakone perhaps it was for work or leisure. This allows the other person to share context on their own terms. This approach honors curiosity over promotion and opens the door to meaningful exchange.
Transition to Business
Only after rapport is established does business gently enter the conversation — and even then, it appears as purpose rather than pitch. Discussing what energizes someone in their work or how they think about balance and intention aligns naturally with the atmosphere of Hakone. These questions encourage reflection and reveal values, which often matter more than roles.
Equally important is comfort with silence. In the Dining Room, pauses are not gaps to be filled but moments to be respected. Allowing conversation to breathe demonstrates confidence, attentiveness, and cultural understanding. Thoughtfulness speaks loudly here.
When the time comes to share what you do, brevity and clarity matter. Framing your work around connection, service, or impact — rather than status — aligns with the spirit of the setting. At this table, sincerity resonates far more than salesmanship.
Finally, conversations in Hakone close with openness, not urgency. Expressing enjoyment of the exchange and leaving space for it to continue honors the relationship rather than forcing a conclusion. At the Dining Room, success is not measured by immediate outcomes, but by the trust built through shared presence — a foundation that allows opportunities to emerge naturally over time.
Why It Works
Hakone stands apart as a place for networking precisely because it resists urgency. In a world where connections are often made in loud rooms, tight schedules, and fleeting exchanges, Hakone offers something far more strategic: slowness. The quiet rhythm of the mountains, the intentional hospitality, and the absence of chaos create space for clarity and trust to form. Conversations here are not interrupted, rushed, or performative — they are thoughtful, grounded, and lasting. In Hakone, networking becomes less about collecting contacts and more about cultivating relationships. And in that stillness, success has room to take root.
About Laura Schwartz
Professional Emcee, Moderator, Keynote Speaker, and Author Laura Schwartz knows how to make live events succeed. Whether hosting a global convention, moderating high-stakes conversations, or delivering a keynote on leadership and connection, Laura brings experience, energy, and authenticity to every stage. A former White House Director of Events under the Clinton Administration, she has been named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the Global Events Industry for seven consecutive years (2019–2025). Along with her cast at ITV London, Laura and her team won the prestigious Drum Awards “Podcast of the Year” in 2021.
For more information on Laura Schwartz or to inquire about hosting, moderating, or keynote engagements, please contact Ashley Brooks at ashley@lauraschwartzlive.com or 312-767-7415.