13 Best CEO Conferences To Help You Innovate Your Leadership
Attending conferences is a valuable opportunity to expand your networks, stay updated on industry trends, and maintain a competitive edge.
These events provide a platform to engage with thought leaders, discover innovative strategies, and gain actionable insights for driving growth.
But with so many out there, finding one that's right for you at this stage of your journey can be a challenge.
Use this roundup of the top conferences for CEOs to attend in 2024/25, each offering unique perspectives and resources.
Best CEO Conferences Shortlist
Here’s my shortlist of the best hospitality conferences I think are worth attending:
- IRL - Alberta, Canada (October 2025)
- Fortune Global Forum 2024 - New York, NY (November 2024)
- CEO + CFO Roundtable - Chicago, IL (November 2024)
- AHCA/NCAL Conference for CEOs and Executive Leaders - Austin, TX (November 2024)
- Forbes Global CEO Conference - Bangkok, Thailand (November 2024)
- CEO Close-Up - Marco Island, FL (January 2025)
- 2025: A Year in Preview - New York, NY (February 2025)
- Global CEO Summit - Milan, Italy (February 2025)
- BIO CEO & Investor Conference - New York, NY (February 2025)
- SISO CEO Summit - Austin, TX (March - April 2025)
- Signature CEO Conference - Tysons Corner, VA (March 2025)
- The Global Leadership Summit 2025 - Multiple locations (August 2025)
- ESOP CEO Summit - Jackson Hole, WY (August 2025)
Find more details about each conference below.
Overview of the Best CEO Conferences
1. IRL - Alberta, Canada (October 2025)
- Dates: October 1-4, 2025
- Location: Alberta, Canada
- Pricing:
- Solo Ticket: $2,950
- Exec Team Package: $13,500
- Website: IRL 25
Overview:
The IRL 2025 conference is an exclusive gathering for CEOs of high-growth companies scaling beyond $10M ARR. This immersive event focuses on key challenges such as strategic vision, scaling infrastructure, leadership hiring, and global market expansion.
Participants will engage in curated tracks, collaborative workshops, and expert-led discussions, all designed to provide actionable insights. Beyond the sessions, the conference includes outdoor adventures and gourmet dining to foster authentic networking opportunities among a select group of CEOs.
Why You Should Attend:
IRL is a must-attend event for leaders looking to step away from the grind and connect with a peer group of visionary executives. By focusing on experiential learning and in-person collaboration, this conference offers a refreshing take on traditional CEO gatherings. Admission is by application only, ensuring a high-quality attendee list.
2. Fortune Global Forum 2024 - New York, NY (November 2024)
- Dates: November 11-12, 2024
- Location: Lincoln Center, NYC
- Pricing:
- Invitation only
- Normal registration: $7,500
- Website: Fortune Global Forum
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview: The 2024 Fortune Global Forum gathered global business leaders for in-depth discussions and networking opportunities. The event focused on leadership, innovation, and tackling global challenges like AI, geopolitical tensions, and climate change. Speakers included Charles Adkins, President of Hedera; Diane Brady, Executive Editorial Director at Fortune; and Tom Brady, seven-time world champion and entrepreneur.
Why You Should Attend: This event is essential for senior executives and chief executive officers looking to adapt and thrive in times of global uncertainty. It provided a unique opportunity to gain insights, collaborate with peers, and strategize on shaping the future of your organization, with a focus on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
3. CEO + CFO Roundtable - Chicago, IL (November 2024)
- Dates: November 11-14, 2024
- Location: Hyatt Regency Chicago
- Pricing:
- Provider Registration: $2,000
- Non-Provider / Vendor Access Registration: $6,000
- Website: CEO + CFO Roundtable
- Social Media: Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview: CEO+CFO Roundtable focused on the intersection of leadership between CEOs and CFOs. The event featured sessions on topics like rural healthcare, digital transformation, health equity, and C-suite diversity, alongside valuable networking opportunities.
Keynote speakers included David Axelrod, national political strategist, and George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States.
Why You Should Attend: This event offered executives, including CIOs, executive vice presidents, and managing directors, the chance to engage in high-level discussions on leadership, strategy, and execution, gaining actionable insights to drive transformation. This specialized forum for CEOs, CFOs, and clinical leaders provided tailored content to address unique challenges and enhance organizational performance.
4. AHCA/NCAL Conference for CEOs and Executive Leaders - Austin, TX (November 2024)
- Dates: November 12-14, 2024
- Location: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin
- Pricing:
- AHCA/NCAL Member Registration: Starting price at $500
- Non-Member Registration: Starting price at $650
- Guest (Member or Non-member): Starting price at $135
- Website: AHCA/NCAL Conference for CEOs and Executive Leaders
- Social Media: Facebook
Overview: The AHCA/NCAL Conference for CEOs and Executive Leadership 2024 offered an in-depth look at leadership and excellence in long-term care. Attendees will join sessions on staff retention, survey excellence, and tackling industry challenges. The event included expert insights from leaders such as Mark Parkinson, Rae Anne Davis, and Dr. David Gifford, plus valuable networking opportunities in the Texas Hill Country.
Why You Should Attend: The AHCA/NCAL CEO Conference is a vital event for long-term care executives to explore strategies for navigating regulatory changes, workforce challenges, and improving patient care. Attendees have the opportunity to network with industry leaders, explore sponsorship opportunities, and participate in targeted discussions addressing the specific needs of healthcare facilities.
5. Forbes Global CEO Conference - Bangkok, Thailand (November 2024)
- Dates: November 20-21, 2024
- Location: The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok
- Website: Forbes Global CEO Conference
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook
Overview: The Forbes Global CEO Conference brings together CEOs, economists, and business leaders to discuss significant global challenges impacting business and economics. Panels will cover topics such as economic cycles, geopolitical tensions, demographic shifts, and the future of global trade.
Notable speakers include Steve Forbes, Chairman of Forbes Media, and Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH Group.
Why You Should Attend: This event allows C-suite executives to engage in discussions on key global business and economic challenges, including market shifts and geopolitical tensions. It offers valuable networking and insights to drive future growth and effective leadership.
6. CEO Close-Up - Marco Island, FL (January 2025)
- Dates: January 11-13, 2025
- Location: JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Florida
- Pricing:
- NRECA Member Fee: $1,050
- One-Day NRECA Member Registration: $600
- Spouse/Guest Registration: $200
- Website: CEO Close-Up
Overview: CEO Close-Up is a leadership development event for electric cooperative CEOs and general managers. It features leadership training, skills-based workshops, and engaging speaker sessions, providing actionable solutions for the challenges of running a co-op.
Speakers include Jana Adams, Executive Director of Touchstone Energy, and Joe Brannan, CEO of North Carolina EMC & North Carolina Association of Electric Co-ops.
Why You Should Attend: CEO Close-Up is a focused event designed for CEOs to engage in in-depth discussions about the challenges and opportunities facing their organizations. Attendees will gain practical insights on leadership strategies, operational effectiveness, and industry-specific trends, with opportunities to network and share experiences with other top executives.
7. 2025: A Year in Preview - New York, NY (February 2025)
- Dates: February 4-5, 2025
- Location: The Plaza New York
- Website: 2025: A Year in Preview
- Social Media: Facebook | LinkedIn
Overview: 2025: A Year in Preview brings together CEOs and C-suite executives for strategic discussions about the challenges and opportunities for the year ahead. The conference will focus on critical issues such as economic volatility, geopolitical complexities, talent management, and technological advancements, providing a platform for leaders to shape their strategies for the upcoming year.
Why You Should Attend: 2025: A Year in Preview is an exclusive event offering CEOs a unique chance to explore growth opportunities and gain actionable insights on key business, economic, and social trends shaping the year ahead, featuring engaging panel discussions.
8. Global CEO Summit - Milan, Italy (February 2025)
- Dates: February 5-7, 2025
- Location: Hotel Principe Di Savoia, Milan
- Pricing:
- UFI Member: €2045 (before January 6, 2025), €2295 (after January 6, 2025)
- Non-UFI Member: €2995 (before January 6, 2025), €3195 (after January 6, 2025)
- Accompanying Person: €350
- Website: Global CEO Summit
- Social Media: X | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube
Overview: The Global CEO Summit (GCS), hosted by UFI, is the premier event for top executives in the exhibition industry. This exclusive gathering will feature discussions and networking opportunities around the industry's key issues, providing a platform for leaders to collaborate and strategize on the future of exhibitions and events.
Why You Should Attend: The Global CEO Summit is a valuable event for executives in the exhibition industry, offering an intimate setting for networking and learning. Attendees will engage with industry leaders, stay updated on market trends, and explore opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.
9. BIO CEO & Investor Conference - New York, NY (February 2025)
- Dates: February 10-11, 2025
- Location: The New York Marriott Marquis
- Pricing:
- Premier Access: $2,600 (BIO Member), $3,300 (Standard Rate)
- Emerging Innovators: $1,300 (BIO Member), $1,800 (Standard Rate)
- Government/Academic/Non-Profit: $1,050 (BIO Member), $1,650 (Standard Rate)
- Service Provider: $4,550 (BIO Member), $6,550 (Standard Rate)
- Investor (subject to approval): Complimentary
- Website: BIO CEO & Investor Conference
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
Overview: The BIO CEO & Investor Conference is a major event for the biotech industry, focusing on investment opportunities in established and emerging biotech companies. Topics include market trends, financing strategies, and innovation in biotechnology, providing a platform for institutional investors, analysts, and executives to shape future investments.
Why You Should Attend: The BIO CEO & Investor Conference is a key event for biotech CEOs and investors to explore investment opportunities and industry trends. Attendees can connect with investors, analysts, and executives to gain insights into the latest biotech developments.
10. SISO CEO Summit - Austin, TX (March - April 2025)
- Dates: March 31 - April 3, 2025
- Location: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
- Website: SISO CEO Summit
- Social Media: Facebook | X
Overview: The SISO CEO Summit offers company owners, CEOs, and executives a chance to network, share insights, and strategize on the future of the industry. With a focus on leadership development, it provides valuable resources, including access to a diverse membership directory, keyword-searchable website, and a reasonable dues structure based on company revenue.
Why You Should Attend: The SISO CEO Summit is an essential event for trade show executives to gain insights into industry trends and challenges, with a focus on future strategies and innovations. Networking with industry leaders and engaging in discussions make this summit valuable for staying competitive in the trade show sector.
11. Signature CEO Conference - Tysons Corner, VA (March 2025)
- Dates: March 25-27, 2025
- Location: Towers Crescent Tysons
- Pricing: Starting price at $135
- Website: Signature CEO Conference
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X
Overview: The Signature CEO Conference (TSCEO) is a multi-day in-person event for business leaders and creative professionals, providing hands-on instruction in business skills and leadership. Featured speakers include Rachel Brenke, CEO and lawyer, and LaShonda Brown, award-winning tech educator and YouTube coach.
Why You Should Attend: This conference provides business leaders with actionable strategies to transform their organizations by addressing outdated systems, practices, and structures. Attendees will network, learn from influential speakers, and gain strategies to boost their entrepreneurial success.
12. The Global Leadership Summit 2025 - Multiple locations (August 2025)
- Dates: August 7-8, 2025
- Location: Multiple locations
- Pricing:
- Local Summit: Starting price at $189
- Studio Audience: Starting price at $239
- Online: Starting price at $189
- Website: The Global Leadership Summit 2025
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X
Conference Location and Dates For The Global Leadership Summit:
| Locations | Date |
| Global Leadership Summit US | Aug 7-8, 2025 |
| Global Leadership Summit Canada | Aug 7-8, 2025 October 16-17, 2025 |
Overview: The Global Leadership Summit offers leadership training through a series of sessions accessible in various locations. Topics include strategic leadership, team management, sustainability initiatives, and practical approaches for startups to improve organizational effectiveness. Attendees gain actionable insights and tools for leadership growth.
Why You Should Attend: The Global Leadership Summit provides a platform for leaders to access high-quality leadership training and practical strategies for driving change in their communities and organizations. Attendees benefit from a range of sessions that cover impactful leadership techniques and opportunities to connect with other leaders worldwide.
13. ESOP CEO Summit - Jackson Hole, WY (August 2025)
- Dates: August 24-26, 2025
- Location: Snow King Resort
- Website: ESOP CEO Summit
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X
Overview: The CEO Summit by The ESOP Association is designed for CEOs and senior leaders of ESOP companies, focusing on education and strategic discussions. It includes sessions on current business and economic issues, industry-specific and geographic roundtables, and expert presentations. Attendees can also join social activities to strengthen connections within the ESOP leadership community.
Why You Should Attend: The ESOP CEO Summit is designed for CEOs leading employee-owned companies to discuss strategies, challenges, and best practices specific to ESOP management.
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