AGENDA
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (Subject to Change)
TUESDAY, APRIL 29 - MEMBERS ONLY DAY
8:30am – 5:30pm
CONFERENCE BADGE CHECK-IN
WEST LOBBY
9:00am – 10:00am
MENTORSHIP 2025-2026 KICK OFF
INVITE ONLY
JUNIOR BALLROOM
10:15am – 10:45am
PITCH COMPETITION REHEARSAL
(INVITE ONLY)
JUNIOR BALLROOM
11:00am – 4:00pm
COFFEE LOUNGE OPEN
(SPONSORS ONLY)
SALON A-C
11:00am – 1:00pm
SPIRAL SESSION
JUNIOR BALLROOM
1:30pm – 2:30pm
ELEVATE! PROGRAM
(INVITE ONLY)
JUNIOR BALLROOM
3:30pm – 5:00pm
MENTORSHIP PITCH COMPETITION
JUNIOR BALLROOM
5:30pm – 7:00pm
MEMBERS ONLY WELCOME RECEPTION
(Cash Bar and Appetizers)
OUTDOOR PATIOS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 - CONFERENCE DAY 1
8:00am – 4:30pm
CONFERENCE BADGE CHECK-IN
WEST LOBBY
8:00am – 5:00pm
COFFEE LOUNGE OPEN
(SPONSORS ONLY)
SALON A-C
8:00am – 9:00am
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST & NETWORKING
BALLROOM FOYER
9:00am – 9:15am
WELCOME & LEADERSHIP REMARKS
GRAND BALLROOM
9:15am – 10:00am
THE LANDSCAPE OF DIVERSITY EQUITY & INCLUSION
GRAND BALLROOM
10:00am – 10:30am
SUCCESS STORIES
GRAND BALLROOM
10:30am – 10:45am
MEMBERSHIP PITCH COMPETITION
(Winners Announced)
GRAND BALLROOM
10:45am – 11:00am
BREAK
11:00am – 11:20am
PROGRAM UPDATES
GRAND BALLROOM
11:20am – 12:30pm
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
GRAND BALLROOM
12:30pm – 1:30pm
BUFFET LUNCH
GRAND & JR. BALLROOMS
1:30pm – 1:45pm
BREAK
1:45pm – 3:00pm
Breakout 1: Beyond Diversity: Strengthening Value, Excellence & Competitive Edge
JUNIOR BALLROOM
2:45pm – 3:00pm
BREAK
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Breakout 2: Future-Proofing Supplier Inclusion: Strategy, Compliance & Business
JUNIOR BALLROOM
4:00pm – 6:00pm
NETWORKING BREAK
6:00pm – 9:00pm
EVENING DINNER RECEPTION
GRAND BALLROOM
THURSDAY, MAY 1 - CONFERENCE DAY 2
8:00am – 9:30am
CONFERENCE BADGE CHECK-IN
WEST LOBBY
8:15am – 9:00am
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST & NETWORKING
BALLROOM FOYER
8:30am – 12:30pm
COFFEE LOUNGE OPEN – SPONSORS ONLY
SALON A-C
9:00am – 9:10am
WELCOME
GRAND BALLROOM
9:10am – 10:00am
EIGHT THAT INNOVATE
GRAND BALLROOM
10:0am – 10:15am
PRESIDENT REMARKS
GRAND BALLROOM
10:15am – 10:30am
EIGHT THAT INNOVATE –
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
GRAND BALLROOM
10:30am – 10:45am
BREAK
10:45am – 12:15pm
ROUNDTABLES
GRAND & JR. BALLROOMS
12:15pm
END PROGRAM
CONFLICTING EVENTS DURING CONFERENCE PUBLISHED SCHEDULE
All attendees and sponsors agree not to extend invitations, call meetings, host hospitality events/dinners, or otherwise encourage the absence of industry professionals and registered conference attendees from the scheduled conference sessions, breakout workshops and evening dinner receptions, collectively known as “all Conference activities.” Please contact [email protected] for additional guidance on private functions.
