Sponsored by

Ready, set, sail! Teams will hop aboard sailboats for a hands-on sailing lesson led by professional captains before jumping into a friendly regatta race across Lake Michigan. After crossing the finish line, the fleet will anchor near one of Chicago's beaches for a relaxed on-the-water lunch. Everyone will have the chance to raft up, swap stories from the race, and enjoy skyline views, sunshine, and laughter with their crew.

Go hands-on with one of Chicago's most iconic dishes! In this interactive cooking class, guests will learn the art of authentic deep–dish pizza — from crafting the buttery crust to layering cheese, sauce, and classic toppings like a true local. Guided by a professional chef, you'll roll up your sleeves and get a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Chicago-style pizza legendary.

Attendees may begin event registration check-in at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Excursion attendees will be provided with name badges upon arrival for the off-site excursions and will need to pick up event materials at the registration desk when they return.

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Kick off Summit 2026 with a memorable welcome dinner aboard The Odyssey as it cruises along the Chicago River. Guests will enjoy a chef-curated dinner, cocktails, and sweeping views of the city’s illuminated skyline—an iconic introduction to Chicago and the perfect setting to connect and unwind. Space is limited. Separate registration is required.

AI is reshaping roles, skills, and workforce planning at every level of the organization. This session examines how organizations are preparing their workforce for AI adoption while balancing productivity, risk, and employee trust. Panelists will discuss where to invest, where to experiment, and how to lead responsibly.

PSUs: An Effective Tool for Aligning Pay and Performance?

This panel will explore diverse perspectives on PSUs, sharing real-world experiences, research findings, and market trends. Attendees will gain insights on how to design and implement PSUs to better align pay with performance.

A Global Slice of The Equity Pie:
Strategic Considerations and Practical Insights for Delivering Long Term Incentives Worldwide

This panel will examine global executive long-term incentive programs, covering strategy, retention, and shareholder alignment. It will also address tax, legal, and administrative challenges, with insights from administrators, legal experts, and issuers.

Executive Compensation 3.0 — The Regulatory Sea Change

The SEC is preparing to revisit executive compensation disclosure rules for the first time since 2006, potentially marking a major overhaul. This session will explore possible changes, from a full rewrite to a more principles-based approach, and discuss the practical implications for proxy preparation, investor engagement, and board oversight.

CHRO Track: The CHRO as Enterprise Strategist (For CHROs only)

Presented in Partnership with

CHROs are increasingly expected to operate as enterprise leaders, not just functional heads. This session explores how CHROs are shaping business strategy, advising CEOs and boards, and aligning talent decisions with long-term growth. Panelists will share how they’ve elevated HR’s voice at the executive table.

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Magnificent Mile(stones): Making Your Exec Comp Plans The Best They Can Be

Today’s top talent seeks more than a paycheck—they want flexibility, a mix of short- and long-term rewards, and alignment with personal success. This session shows how to elevate your plan from standard to standout, featuring strategies like inducement grants, choice programs, NQ deferrals, and post-vest holding periods.

Executive Compensation at a Crossroads:
Navigating Shifting Shareholder Priorities and a Changing External Landscape

This session examines how shifting investor expectations, evolving ESG and DEI metrics, and potential SEC disclosure changes are transforming executive compensation. Attendees will gain a forward-looking framework to adapt pay programs, refine disclosures, anticipate emerging risks, and strengthen investor trust in 2026 and beyond.

Basics of Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans & Synergies with Equity Plans

This panel will provide a general overview of NQDC as well as equity plans and how they can integrate and work together to provide a more holistic benefit offering for our company's executives and highly compensated employees.

CHRO Track: Succession Planning in a High-Turnover Leadership Era (For CHROs only)

Presented in Partnership with

Executive and senior leadership turnover remains elevated across industries. This session focuses on how CHROs are rethinking succession planning to be more dynamic, data-driven, and aligned with future skill needs. Panelists will share practical approaches to identifying, developing, and retaining next-generation leaders.

Sponsored by

From leadership gaps to burnout and skills shortages, talent risk is now enterprise risk. This panel will examine the people-related risks CHROs are actively managing and how they’re prioritizing mitigation efforts. Speakers will discuss how they communicate talent risk to executive leadership and boards.

Cracking the Code: Simplifying Local Plans in Global Equity

This session challenges the idea that global share plans are overly complex and highlights their accessibility. Experts will share practical insights and examples of how local, qualified plans can enhance global equity programs. Attendees will gain clarity and confidence in expanding their equity plans.

AI as a Strategic Enabler: Sensible Integration for Real-Time Insights

AI should deliver real business value. This session shows how leaders can use AI to quickly access reports and insights, streamline compliance, and support better decision-making — while maintaining data integrity and human oversight.

Equity Compensation Integration in an M&A Situation

This session will discuss compensation considerations around mergers and acquisitions and what every company needs to think about each year even if a deal is not on the table. We will examine the nuances of equity compensation in the M&A context from both an acquirer and target perspective, including communicating with participants.

Executive compensation remains one of the most visible and challenged areas of governance. Misalignment between boards and CEOs can erode trust with investors, employees, and other stakeholders. This session will focus on how directors can foster constructive dialogue with CEOs, ensuring pay structures reinforce strategy, culture, and stakeholder confidence.