8 Best COO Conferences To Help You Innovate In 2025

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 2025:

1. COO CONNECT - Vancouver, BC, Canada (March 12-14, 2025)
2. Simon Leadership Conference 2025 - Boston, MA | Virtual (March 20, 2025)
3. LPGP Connect CFO/COO Private Equity New York - Multiple locations and dates
4. Business Innovation Summit - London, UK (March 25-26, 2025)
5. The Emerging COO: Driving Innovation and Operational Excellence - Multiple locations and dates
6. SuperReturn CFO/COO North America - Chicago, IL (May 13-15, 2025)
7. Fortune COO Summit 2025 - Scottsdale, AZ (June 9-10, 2025)
8. World Summit AI - Amsterdam, Netherlands (October 8-9, 2025)

Find more details about each conference below

Overview of the Best Founder 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.

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1. COO CONNECT - Vancouver, BC, Canada (March 12-14, 2025)

• Dates: March 12-14, 2025
• Location: Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Pricing: $5,750 (COO Alliance Members); $6,750 (Non-Members)
• Website: COO Connect

Overview:
COO Connect is a unique research database for professional investors focusing on hedge funds. It provides insights into the global hedge fund industry, aiming to inform and assist investors in their decision-making processes.

Past speakers include Chip Conley, founder of Modern Elder Academy, and Dandapani, a former Hindu monk turned entrepreneur. 

Why you should attend:
COO Connect offers a unique opportunity to engage with a supportive community of COOs from various industries. Unlike other conferences, it emphasizes personal growth and leadership development through activities like yoga, meditation, and introspective sessions. 

The event features guest speakers who guide participants on inward growth journeys. These journeys enhance participants' ability to lead themselves and their teams. Attending will help you understand your leadership approach and build lasting connections with peers.

2. Simon Leadership Conference 2025 - Boston, MA (March 20, 2025)

• Dates: March 20, 2025
• Location: Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA  & Online
• Pricing: Register to see current pricing
• Website: Simon Leadership Conference 2025
• Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram

Overview:
The Simmons Leadership Conference is an annual event for women and their allies focusing on personal and professional development. It offers in-person and virtual events featuring speakers such as Michelle Obama, former First Lady; Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State; and Brené Brown, researcher and bestselling author.

Why you should attend:
The Simmons Leadership Conference focuses on inclusive leadership and provides practical tools to foster equity in the workplace. It also features a dedicated track for women in healthcare and life sciences, which addresses industry-specific challenges. 

You will engage with thought leaders, participate in skill-building sessions, and network with professionals committed to meaningful change. This experience will equip you and your team with actionable strategies for leading inclusively and effectively.

3. LPGP Connect CFO/COO Private Equity New York - Multiple locations and dates

• Dates: Multiple dates (see table below)
• Locations: Multiple locations (see table below)
• Pricing: Starts at £1,995.00 
• Website: LPGP Connect CFO/COO Private Equity New York
• Social Media: LinkedIn

LPGP Connect CFO/COO Private Equity New York Conferences: Locations and Dates

Overview:
LPGP Connect CFO/COO Private Equity New York is an annual event that gathers CFOs, COOs, finance directors, and other professionals from the private equity sector. It addresses current challenges and developments in private equity fund management.

Why you should attend:
You’ll connect with industry-leading professionals and solution providers to discuss fund management, regulatory changes, and operational challenges. The event features panel discussions, keynote sessions, and networking opportunities tailored to finance and operations leaders in the industry.

Unlike broader COO conferences, this one focuses on the specific needs of private equity professionals. You’ll leave with insights on capital structures, risk management, and strategies to optimize fund performance.

4. Business Innovation Summit - London, UK (March 25-26, 2025)

• Dates: March 25-26, 2025
• Location: Convene 155 Bishopsgate, London, UK
• Pricing: Register to see current pricing
• Website: Business Innovation Summit
• Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram, X

Overview:
The Business Innovation Summit is an annual event that brings together over 600 senior executives from various industries to explore how emerging technologies, like generative AI, can drive innovation and growth.

This event features speakers including Brian Higgins, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Verizon Consumer; Alicia Criner, Vice President and Global of Marketing and Digital Transformation at Galderma; and Aneesh Raman, Chiechief economic opportunity officerLinkedIn.

Why you should attend:
The Business Innovation Summit will give you a practical look at how emerging technologies reshape industries. You’ll hear from business leaders and tech experts on topics like AI-driven decision-making, digital transformation, and the future of work. 

The event includes panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and networking sessions to help you implement ideas. Whether you're leading a team or driving change in your organization, you’ll leave with strategies for staying ahead in the market.

5. The Emerging COO: Driving Innovation and Operational Excellence - Stanford, CA (April 28 - August 20, 2025)

• Dates: April 28 - August 20, 2025
• Location: Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford, CA & Online
• Pricing: $4,800 (Quarterly Installment Plan); $19,200 (Full Payment)
• Website: The Emerging COO: Driving Innovation and Operational Excellence
• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, X, Youtube

Overview:
The Emerging COO: Driving Innovation and Operational Excellence program is for current and aspiring chief operating officers. It focuses on equipping leaders with strategies to foster innovation and achieve operational excellence within their organizations.

Why you should attend:
As a COO or senior operations leader, you translate strategic plans into actionable initiatives. This program offers insights into agile manufacturing, supply chain management, and design thinking, providing tools to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability.

You'll learn to foster a culture that accelerates innovation, ensuring your organization remains competitive. Networking with peers from diverse industries will offer new perspectives and strategies applicable to your role.

6. SuperReturn CFO/COO North America - Chicago, IL (May 13-15, 2025)

• Dates: May 13-15, 2025
• Location: The Gwen Hotel, Chicago, IL
• Pricing: Free for CFOs, COOs, CCOs, CROs, and CTOs
• Website: SuperReturn CFO/COO
• Social Media: X, LinkedIn, Youtube

Overview:
SuperReturn CFO/COO North America is a key event for senior financial and operational leaders in private capital. It gathers professionals, including C-suite leaders, to discuss industry trends and network.

Why you should attend:
You’ll connect with top-tier professionals and gain insights into the latest trends in private capital operations. The event will discuss compliance, financial strategies, and operational challenges. Expect to engage with thought leaders and enhance your understanding of the evolving CFO and COO roles. This is a prime opportunity to expand your network and learn from industry experts.

7. Fortune COO Summit 2025 - Scottsdale, AZ (June 9-10, 2025)

• Dates: June 9-10, 2025
• Location: Four Seasons Resort, Scottsdale, AZ
• Pricing: $1,995
• Website: Fortune COO Summit 2025

Overview:
The Fortune COO Summit 2025 is a two-day event scheduled in Scottsdale, Arizona, designed for Chief Operating Officers and senior operational executives from Fortune 1000 companies and leading private firms. The summit will feature a mix of plenary sessions, small-group discussions, workshops, networking, and recreational activities, providing a comprehensive platform to learn and share insights on operational excellence and innovation.

Why you should attend:
The Fortune COO Summit 2025 will bring top COOs and operational leaders together to tackle today’s most prominent business challenges. You’ll participate in focused roundtable discussions, workshops, and networking events designed to help you refine strategies and drive efficiency. 

Unlike other conferences, it offers high-level insights and hands-on learning tailored to senior operations executives. You’ll leave with fresh perspectives and practical solutions to strengthen your leadership and impact.

8. World Summit AI - Amsterdam, Netherlands (October 8-9, 2025)

• Dates: October 8-9, 2025
• Location: Taets Art & Event Park, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Pricing: TBA
• Website: World Summit AI
• Social Media: LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook

Overview:
World Summit AI is a leading event for AI professionals, bringing together experts from enterprises, startups, and academia. Since its inception, it has featured speakers like Peter Norvig from Google and Vandi Verma from NASA. The summit focuses on AI innovations, automation, and societal impacts.

Why you should attend:
World Summit AI is a premier event that brings together the global AI ecosystem, including enterprise leaders, big tech companies, startups, investors, and academics. This summit focuses on artificial intelligence and offers insights into advancements, ethical considerations, and real-world applications. 

You will discuss AI in healthcare, finance, and governance, providing a comprehensive understanding of AI's impact across industries. This summit will equip you and your team with the latest insights and strategies for effectively integrating AI into your operations.

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