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- Small Business
Barton Creek RoomThe SISO Small Business Roundtable – Now Expanded to 5 Hours!
The Small Business Roundtable (SBR) is your go-to forum for navigating emerging industry trends and challenges from a small business perspective. For many, it’s like having an informal board of advisors, fostering relationships that provide ongoing support throughout the year.
New for This Year: Expanded Discussions & More Time to Connect!
At this year’s five-hour SBR, you’ll have the opportunity to bring up challenges from your own events while diving into key industry topics, including how to:
✅ Find Financing – Explore investor funding and alternative capital sources.
✅ Implement AI solutions – Low-cost, high-impact tools that streamline small business operations.
✅ Optimize Your Tech Stack – Floorplan software, CRMs, marketing automation, and more.
✅ Develop Innovative Event Formats – including non-traditional venues, sponsor activations, and attendee engagement.
✅ Navigate New Tariffs – Understand the impact of changing trade policies on event production and supplier costs. In addition, Tommy Goodwin of the ECA, will be on hand to listen to small business concerns to incorporate into SISO lobbying efforts in Washington, DC.
✅ Plan Your Exit Strategy – Prepare for long-term success and future transitions.
All that and lunch is included!
- Only for Attendees already registered for the CEO Summit
- Participants are from member companies with less than $10m in revenue
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- Women's Leadership
Brazos Ballroom FoyerNetworking Lunch exclusively for registrants to the Executive Women's Forum.
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- Women's Leadership
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- Women's Leadership
Brazos BallroomIn today's dynamic leadership landscape, success hinges on more than technical expertise and industry knowledge—it demands a mastery of emotional intelligence (EI). Join Sylvia Baffour at the SISO CEO ... -
- Women's Leadership
Brazos BallroomThree industry leaders – Clarion’s Lisa Hannant, Informa’s Nancy Walsh and Access Intelligence’s Heather Farley – will take the stage to discuss their own leadership journeys, how they lead with Emotional Intelligence and how they work to bring others ‘up’ in their organizations.
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- Women's Leadership
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- Women's Leadership
Brazos BallroomOne of the most challenging steps in any acquisition process is after the deal closes, bringing in an entirely new company to an existing structure and culture. It takes a high level of Emotional Intelligence to lead an integration, especially when it involves ensuring the people feel like they truly are being taken care of in their new home. Closerstill’s Yancy Weinrich will lead this session and talk with others who have led this important experience.
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- Women's Leadership
Brazos BallroomLiaising with entrepreneurs and walking them through an acquisition journey takes a certain level of Emotional Intelligence to truly consummate a deal that’s considered a success for all sides. We’ll hear from industry professionals about what personal skills they have found to be most successful that have helped them in the M&A dealmaking world. -
Brazo's Foyer & CourtyardFor All Sponsors, First-Time Attendees, and their "Buddies".
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Hill Country Pavilion
Furnishings - Sponsored by
Decor - Sponsored by
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Hill Country Pavilion
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Brazos Ballroom
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Brazos Ballroom
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Brazos Ballroom
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Brazos Ballroom Foyer
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Brazos BallroomThe former President of Bell Labs and current strategic advisor to the Informa board will present his views on the opportunities and threats of GAI for the event industry and why we need to take this technology seriously.Presented by
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Brazos BallroomFireside chat on presentation.ModeratorPresented by
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We are all inundated with stories and anecdotes from the big AI newsmakers. But what practical opportunities exist today for event organizers to see real results with AI? Hear from Stefan Weitz, CEO of the newly launched HumanX AI conference and Alex Reynolds, CEO of AI-powered event technology company Vendelux as they share their perspectives.
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Hill Country Pavilion
Annual Report to the Members and the presentation of the Krakoff Award.
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Brazos BallroomAn in-depth interview with the founder of Easyfairs exploring what he saw in the early days of the business, how he views the events sector and how he built such a successful business from scratch.ModeratorPresented by
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Brazos BallroomAs the industry seeks opportunities for continued growth, two leaders discuss how they are investing in new operating models to unlock explosive growth.Presented by
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Brazos BallroomThis session will explore how mature products and/or mature markets are ripe for disruption with a new approach.
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Brazos Ballroom Foyer
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Brazos BallroomExploring the difficulties of launching and innovating in today’s world and how to navigate that.Moderator
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Brazos BallroomLearn how three entrepreneurs navigated the hurdles and launched successful events and companies in a tough environment.
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Hill Country Pavilion
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Brazos BallroomAs event attendees seek out experiences that blend their professional and personal lives, we hear from the leader of one of the most successful event festivals in the USA in a fireside chat.Moderator
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Brazos BallroomHear from the people who invest in sponsorships and booths – what do they really want from an event? What does success look like and what makes them want to come back next year?
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Brazos BallroomAs demographic shifts result in younger and more diverse attendees to BtoB events, what do these new attendees look for to decide to attend and what does a great event feel like to them?
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Brazos Ballroom Foyer
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Brazos Ballroom
The key to unlocking innovation within an organization lies not in external resources but in the power of its people. By fostering a sense of belonging, organizations create a fertile ground for leadership development, risk-taking, and collaboration—the essential ingredients for innovation.
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Brazos BallroomLearn from some of the most active M&A leaders in the industry and how they plan and target to make 1+1=3 or more.Moderator
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Brazos Ballroom
The events industry is evolving rapidly, and organisers must adapt to stay ahead. Steve Corrick US President for Collingwood, will take the stage alongside industry leaders to present the Events Sector Benchmarking Report, created in collaboration with SISO.
Key takeaways:- Diversification & Revenue Growth – Explore new business models and revenue streams
- Facilitated Partnering Meetings – Learn how to design and execute high-value networking events
- Customer Expectations – Understanding stakeholder’s evolving needs and how to deliver greater ROI
- Value Creation - how buyer and investor appetite is shifting
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Brazos Ballroom
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Hill Country Pavilion
Lunch for those not playing golf.
Sponsored by
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Fazio Foothills Golf Course
The SISO Golf Tournament will be held at Fazio Foothills Golf Course. Transportation will be provided from the hotel to the course, which is a short drive away. Golfers will get boxed lunches at the golf club near the carts. Collared shirts are required.
Sponsored by
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Upper Pool Deck / Cabanas
Networking poolside.
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Tennis Complex
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Tennis Complex
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Jim Bob's Lobby LoungeBreakfast Buffet and To-Go Boxes