11 Best COO Conferences To Help You Innovate In 2026
Attending conferences as a COO is a perfect way to gain insights from industry leaders, explore emerging trends, discover strategies to improve business operations, and expand your network.
Use this shortlist of the top COO conferences to help you decide which is best for your needs.
Best COO Conferences Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best COO conferences I think are worth attending in 2026:
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- Hedge Fund Emerging Managers COO Summit - New York City, NY (February 12, 2026)
- Simmons Leadership Conference - Boston, MA (March 17, 2026)
- Investment COO Summit - Las Vegas, NV (March 23-24, 2026)
- AI and Business Innovation Summit - London, UK (March 24-25, 2026)
- COO Leaders' Summit - North America - Denver, CO (May 5-6, 2026)
- Chief Operating Officer (COO) Forum - Las Colinas, TX (May 11-13, 2026)
- SuperReturn CFO/COO North America - Chicago, IL (May 12-14, 2026)
- Fortune COO Summit - Scottsdale, AZ (June 1-2, 2026)
- Transformational COO Assembly - Fort Lauderdale, FL (June 24-25, 2026)
- LPGP Connect CFO/COO London - London, UK (July 1, 2026)
- World Summit AI - Amsterdam, Netherlands (October 7-8, 2026)
Find more details about each conference below
Overview of the Best COO Conferences
Below are my summaries of the best COO conferences that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each event’s dates, location, pricing, and unique offerings.
1. Hedge Fund Emerging Managers COO Summit - New York City, NY (February 12, 2026)
- Dates: February 12, 2026
- Location: Convene, 75 Rockefeller Plaza
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The Hedge Fund Emerging Managers COO Summit is a premier event for senior operational executives from emerging and boutique hedge funds in North America. Launched to address the unique challenges of the hedge fund industry, it offers a platform for sharing insights and networking.
The summit features over 140 attendees, including 100+ managers and 35+ speakers. Notable speakers include Mr. Alex Forschner, President of Exome Asset Management, and Michelle Kelner, Co-Founder of Sandglass Capital Advisors, who will provide valuable perspectives on capital raising, tech operations, and operational due diligence.
Why attend? You and your team will gain exclusive insights into the hedge fund industry's operational challenges. The event encourages open discussions under the Chatham House Rule, allowing for candid exchanges.
With a focus on capital raising and tech operations, it's an ideal venue for learning about the latest trends and connecting with industry leaders. The summit's intimate setting ensures meaningful networking opportunities, making it a must-attend for operational leaders.
2. Simmons Leadership Conference - Boston, MA (March 17, 2026)
- Dates: March 17, 2026
- Location: Westin Copley Place & Virtual
- Pricing: Starts at $399(virtual)-$1,498 (in-person)
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Simmons Leadership Conference is a long-running annual COO conference designed to amplify women’s voices in executive leadership. It’s organized by Simmons University and draws senior professionals across industries. The 2026 edition continues its tradition as an in-person and virtual event, giving attendees a flexible way to engage with top-tier programming.
"Attending the Simmons Leadership Conference was an eye-opening experience, filled with powerful lessons on leading through change, embracing resilience, and navigating the AI revolution."
- Jennifer Ferreyra, Enterprise Customer Delivery Manager at Cisco
Why attend? You’ll hear from thought leaders on topics spanning inclusive leadership, decision-making under pressure, and executive resilience. The conference weaves in storytelling, executive coaching, and networking segments across keynotes and panels.
Whether you're an aspiring COO or part of an established leadership team, the programming focuses on practical leadership strategy in complex global organizations.
3. Investment COO Summit - Las Vegas, NV (March 23-24, 2026)
- Dates: March 23-24, 2026
- Location: Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The Investment COO Summit is a closed-door event tailored for Chief Operating Officers and senior-level executives from the investment management industry. It convenes leaders to discuss strategy, innovation, risk, and efficiency.
This annual summit is designed for professionals driving operational excellence and scalability in investment firms.
Why attend? If your organization is navigating market complexity and tightening regulations, this event gives you curated access to peer conversations and workflow automation strategies. Sessions address risk mitigation, cost containment, and how to integrate ESG principles into core operational planning.
The intimate structure prioritizes real dialogue, helping you benchmark your roadmap and build partnerships that strengthen execution models.
4. AI and Business Innovation Summit - London, UK (March 24-25, 2026)
- Dates: March 24-25, 2026
- Location: Convene 155 Bishopsgate
- Pricing: Free
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram
The AI and Business Innovation Summit is geared towards business leaders looking to harness AI for innovation. This sixth annual event explores AI's transformative effects on business models and leadership, with a particular focus on the finance sector. It will feature 22 sessions and 60 speakers, drawing attendees from diverse industries.
Why attend? You and your team will benefit from the summit's focus on the role of AI in business innovation and leadership. The event offers a platform to learn from industry experts and engage in roundtable discussions about AI's impact on business strategies.
With its comprehensive agenda and networking opportunities, the summit stands out as a key event for those looking to stay ahead in the AI-driven business landscape.
5. COO Leaders' Summit - North America - Denver, CO (May 5-6, 2026)
- Dates: May 5-6, 2026
- Location: Sheraton Denver West Hotel
- Pricing: From $1,000
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The COO Leaders' Summit - North America is a premier event for operational leaders, focusing on the "4 T's": time, trade, talent, and technology. It brings together industry experts, including Sercen Esen, Co-Founder and CEO of Intnseye, and Andrew Steane, Global Vice President of Partner Programs at Hyland, to discuss challenges such as digital transformation and sustainability initiatives.
Why attend? This summit creates an environment where you and other C-suite peers can exchange ideas, benchmark challenges, and build strategic partnerships. The event includes curated roundtables, 1:1 meetings, and solution presentations built for high-level COOs navigating scaling, workforce change, and digital transformation.
6. Chief Operating Officer (COO) Forum - Las Colinas, TX (May 11-13, 2026)
- Dates: May 11-13, 2026
- Location: The Ritz-Carlton
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The COO Forum is part of The Health Management Academy's Healthcare Leadership Conference. It convenes healthcare leaders to discuss operational strategies and innovations, offering a space for COOs and executives to exchange ideas and build connections.
Why attend? You’ll join other COOs facing the same challenges you do—complex health systems, shifting reimbursement models, and workforce gaps. The sessions are centered on operational execution, tech integration, and care delivery redesign. The forum offers exclusive benchmarking data, peer benchmarking sessions, and discussions on scaling solutions. You’ll leave with practical insights shaped by the candid experiences of peers.
7. SuperReturn CFO/COO North America - Chicago, IL (May 12-14, 2026)
- Dates: May 12-14, 2026
- Location: The Gwen Hotel
- Pricing: Starts at $1,599-$2,699
- Social Media: LinkedIn
SuperReturn CFO/COO North America is a leading conference for senior finance and operations executives in the private equity and venture capital sectors. It gathers industry leaders to discuss pressing issues like regulatory changes and operational efficiencies.
"Great focus on topics relative to the operational, finance, and reporting aspects of the investment process in private capital. Good to be among peers and discuss in depth the ever-increasing number of topics falling under the responsibility of COO/CFO in private capital."
- Patrycja Dos Santos, Middle Office Specialist at AssetMetrix
Why attend? You and your team will gain deep insights into the financial and operational landscapes of private equity and venture capital. The summit offers tailored content, including panel discussions and networking opportunities. With its focus on current challenges and future trends, it's an essential event for staying ahead in the industry.
8. Fortune COO Summit - Scottsdale, AZ (June 1-2, 2026)
- Dates: June 1-2, 2026
- Location: Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The Fortune COO Summit is an exclusive gathering designed for chief operating officers from various industries. It provides a platform for exchanging ideas and exploring strategies to drive business success.
Why attend? You and your team will benefit from engaging discussions on leadership and innovation. The summit offers unique networking opportunities and insights from top executives. It's a chance to explore new strategies and gain a fresh perspective on operational excellence.
9. Transformational COO Assembly - Fort Lauderdale, FL (June 24-25, 2026)
- Dates: June 15-16, 2026
- Location: Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The Transformational COO Assembly is designed for senior operational executives across various industries. It focuses on strategy and innovation in operations. The event features speakers like Laurie Wheeler, Chief Operating Officer - IS&T at MultiCare Health System, and Holly Adams, Chief Operating Officer at Bronson Healthcare, offering insights into digital transformation and leadership.
Why attend? You and your team will explore cutting-edge strategies and innovative solutions at the Transformational COO Assembly. The event offers interactive sessions and networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with industry leaders and peers. It's a chance to gain insights into the latest trends and enhance your operational strategies.
10. LPGP Connect CFO/COO London - London, UK (July 1, 2026)
- Dates: July 1, 2026
- Location: Park Plaza Victoria
- Pricing: TBA
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The LPGP Connect CFO/COO London is a key event for senior finance and operations executives in private equity and venture capital. It provides a platform for discussing industry challenges and innovations.
Why attend? You’ll gain valuable insights into the financial and operational dynamics of private equity. It offers in-depth discussions, networking opportunities, and expert panels. The conference is an ideal venue to explore the latest trends and strategies in the industry, enhancing your organization's competitive edge.
11. World Summit AI - Amsterdam, Netherlands (October 7-8, 2026)
- Dates: October 7-8, 2026
- Location: Taets Art & Event Park
- Pricing: Starts at €549-€1049 + VAT
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram
The World Summit AI is a leading event for AI professionals and enthusiasts, organized to explore the future of AI and its impact on society. It is a key gathering for AI leaders, featuring speakers like Professor Daphne Koller, Co-Founder at Coursera, and Yann LeCun, VP and Chief AI Scientist at Meta.
The 2026 summit focuses on the theme "Guardians of Tomorrow: Shaping the New AI Paradigm."
Why attend? At the summit, you and your team will gain insights into the latest AI advancements and their societal implications. With over 300 speakers and diverse tracks, the summit offers a unique platform for networking and learning. It's an opportunity to engage with pioneers in AI and explore new technologies shaping the future.
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