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7 min read

7 Best COO Conferences To Help You Innovate In 2025

David Rice
By
David Rice
David Rice Senior Editor

David Rice is a long time journalist and editor who specializes in covering human resources and leadership topics. His career has seen him focus on a variety of industries for both print and digital publications in the United States and UK.

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QUICK SUMMARY

Shortlist of the best COO conferences for networking, gaining insights, and exploring strategies to drive growth, innovation, and leadership success.

Coo conferences of 2025 generic best of

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 the shortlist of the best COO conferences I think are worth attending in 2024:

  1. The Emerging COO: Driving Innovation and Operational Excellence - Stanford, CA (Multiple dates)
  2. HFM US Emerging Managers COO Summit 2025 - New York, NY (February 2025)
  3. COO Connect - Vancouver, BC, Canada (March 2025)
  4. 2025 Simmons Leadership Conference - Boston, MA (March 2025)
  5. Business Innovation Summit - London, UK (March 2025)
  6. SuperReturn CFO/COO - Chicago, IL (May 2025)
  7. World Summit AI - Amsterdam - Amsterdam, Netherlands (October 2025)

Find more details about each conference below

Overview of the Best Founder Conferences

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1. The Emerging COO: Driving Innovation and Operational Excellence - Stanford, CA (Multiple dates)

Speaker at the The Emerging COO: Driving Innovation and Operational Excellence

The Emerging COO: Driving Innovation and Operational Excellence (Source)

Overview: The Emerging COO: Driving Innovation and Operational Excellence is a conference for senior operations leaders and business leaders, focusing on strategic leadership, financial modeling, ESG initiatives, and value chain innovation. Attendees will explore trends and strategies shaping the COO role and integrating routines into company culture.

The event is directed by Stefanos Zenios, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Operations at Stanford.

Why You Should Attend: This conference offers senior operations leaders the tools to drive operational excellence, foster innovation, and integrate new routines into their organization's culture. Attendees will gain valuable strategic frameworks, design thinking methodologies, and leadership insights, along with opportunities to network with peers from various industries.

2. HFM US Emerging Managers COO Summit 2025 - New York, NY (February 2025)

Participants gathering at the HFM US Emerging Managers COO Summit
HFM US Emerging Managers COO Summit (Source)

Overview: The HFM US Emerging Managers COO Summit 2025 is an exclusive event for COOs, chief executives, and senior operational executives from hedge funds. It provides a unique platform for networking and discussions on industry trends, decision-making, fundraising strategies, diversity, and technology in investment management. 

Speakers include Arthur Melkonian, COO of Equinox Partners, Irshad Karim, GC/CCO of Lion Point Capital, and John Grady, COO and General Counsel at ABR Dynamic Funds.

Why You Should Attend: This event gives senior executives from small and mid-sized hedge fund firms the chance to address key challenges and trends in the industry. With a full agenda and plenty of networking opportunities, attendees can connect with peers and gain valuable insights to stay competitive in asset management.

3. COO Connect - Vancouver, BC, Canada (March 2025)

Speaker at the COO Connect conference
COO Connect (Source)

Overview: COO Connect is an exclusive event for COOs, c-suite executives, and entrepreneurs focused on collaborative learning and problem-solving. It features presentations from COO Alliance members, expert-led sessions on business challenges, and small-group discussions on sales, marketing, AI, operations, and finance. 

Why You Should Attend: This event allows senior operations executives to connect with a supportive COO community, learn effective systems for leadership, marketing, operations, and finance, and gain insights from over 60 peers. With hands-on sessions and ongoing support, attendees leave ready to drive growth and implement lasting improvements.

4. 2025 Simmons Leadership Conference - Boston, MA (March 2025)

Participants of the Simmons Leadership Conference
Simmons Leadership Conference (Source)

Overview: The Simmons Leadership Conference (SLC) is a one-day event gathering thousands of fortune leaders and industry experts for sessions on multigenerational leadership, resilience, and innovation. Attendees learn strategies for cross-generational collaboration, inclusive leadership, and supply chain navigation.

Keynote speakers include Kerry Seitz, Vice President of Women’s Leadership, and Kristen Palson, COO and Executive Producer of the conference at Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership.

Why You Should Attend: The Simmons Leadership Conference offers the chance to engage with thought leaders, gain tools to improve workplace culture, and network with peers. Attendees learn strategies for equity-driven and inclusive leadership through inspiring sessions.

5. Business Innovation Summit - London, UK (March 2025)

Attendees of the Business Innovation Summit
Business Innovation Summit (Source)
  • Dates: March 26, 2025
  • Location: Convene, 155 Bishopsgate
  • Pricing:
    • Business Innovation Summit and AI for CFOs Pass: Starts at £1,699 (standard) + VAT.
    • Business Innovation Summit Only Pass: Starts at £699 (super early-bird) and starts at £1,199 (standard) + VAT.
  • Website: Business Innovation Summit
  • Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X

Overview: The 5th Annual Business Innovation Summit delves into AI in financial operations, discussing scaling AI for compliance, fraud detection, and cash flow management. Sessions cover generative AI for customer experience, risk management, operational efficiency, and adapting to regulations like the EU’s AI Act, helping ‌your organization foster strategic partnerships.

Notable speakers include Alex Drummond, Chief Strategy Officer at American Express, and Dan Shapero, Chief Operating Officer at LinkedIn.

Why You Should Attend: This summit is an excellent opportunity for senior executives to explore how generative AI can drive transformative efficiencies across business functions. Attendees will benefit from case studies, debates, and panels that provide actionable insights on balancing the risks and opportunities of AI to boost productivity and growth.

6. SuperReturn CFO/COO - Chicago, IL (May 2025)

Speakers at the SuperReturn CFO/COO Conference
SuperReturn CFO/COO Conference (Source)

Overview: The SuperReturn CFO/COO Conference is an exclusive event for senior executives from small and mid-sized hedge fund firms. The summit will cover key industry topics such as geopolitical risks, SEC regulations, AI integration, market volatility, and efficient reporting, along with best practices in GP & LP engagement, compliance, and operational growth. 

Speakers include Steven Schwab, Senior Director and Chief Compliance Officer at Thoma Bravo, Stephanie Smith, Global COO at BlackRock, and many more.

Why You Should Attend: This summit offers CFOs, COOs, CCOs, CROs, and CTOs a unique opportunity to engage in closed-door sessions focused on industry challenges, best practices, and strategies for growth. Exclusive networking events, including an invite-only lunch and drinks receptions, provide a chance to connect with peers and discuss key trends shaping the industry.

7. World Summit AI - Amsterdam, Netherlands (October 2025)

Participants gathering at the World Summit AI
World Summit AI (Source)

Overview: World Summit AI is a leading global event uniting tech leaders, startups, investors, COOs, and academics to explore AI's future. The conference features automation innovations, deep-dive sessions, sustainability discussions, and ethical AI roundtables. Speakers include Nabiha Syed from Mozilla, Lambert Hogenhout from the UN, and leaders from Hugging Face.

Why You Should Attend: World Summit AI is a key event for keeping up with AI innovation. Attendees will explore the latest breakthroughs, real-world applications across industries, and deep-dive sessions on AI for good, governance, and the future of finance, healthcare, and employment. It also offers networking with tech leaders, startups, investors, and policymakers.

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David Rice
By David Rice

David Rice is a long time journalist and editor who specializes in covering human resources and leadership topics. His career has seen him focus on a variety of industries for both print and digital publications in the United States and UK.

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