SISO Leadership Conference Is Almost Here (Know Before You Go)
SISO Leadership Conference Is Almost Here (Know Before You Go)
The countdown to Seattle is on. Are you ready?
From August 18-20, 2026, the SISO Leadership Conference returns, this time at the Seattle Convention Center. The event brings together CEOs, owners, and senior executives from across the exhibition and events industry for three days of strategy, networking, and hard conversations about where the business is headed.
The Markus AI team will be there in full force. Kayla Howe, Max Gabriel, and Paul De Barros will all be on-site, and the team loves to catch up on all the latest industry trends.
Come find us to hear about our new products, our refreshed website, and where the Event intelligence layer and AI Agents are headed next to help top shows.
Why This Conference Matters
The SISO Leadership Conference is built for decision-makers navigating rapid change in the industry. It combines executive-level programming with curated networking, giving attendees direct access to the people and ideas shaping the future of live events. This year's agenda leans heavily into AI, first-party data, and workforce transformation, three topics that sit right at the center of what we're building at Markus AI.
Haven't been before? Get a feel for the caliber of conversation by watching some of last year's CEO interviews on SISO TV before you land in Seattle.
Day 1: Tuesday, August 18
The conference opens with a full slate of programming, from an economic outlook to sessions on organic growth, industry myths versus reality, and connected ecosystems.
Session spotlight, 11:00-11:30 AM: Walking the Walk on Creating a Psychologically Safe Environment A candid look at what it actually takes to build psychological safety on a team, not just talk about it.
Moderator: Rachel Wimberly, SVP, M&A and Business Development, USA - Easyfairs
Speakers: Liz Irving, CEO - Clarion Events North America; Liz Plizga, President - Diversified USA
The day wraps with an Opening Keynote followed by the Opening Night Reception at the Seattle Convention Center's Summit Building, starting with cocktails at the top of the Hillclimb before moving to the Garden Terrace for food and entertainment.
It's the best chance to meet fellow attendees before the real work of the conference begins on Day 2.
Day 2: Wednesday, August 19
This is the day to circle on your calendar. The agenda covers AI visibility and search, first-party data strategy, media and events convergence, and how AI is reshaping workforce and workflow across the industry.
Session spotlight, 9:05-9:45 AM: Organic Growth: The Best Launches Don't Start with Brainstorms and Post-it Notes Terrace Suite - Level 4 · 40 mins You don't need a massive budget or a large portfolio of events to unlock meaningful growth. Whether you manage one show or many, this session explores practical, proven strategies to drive organic growth by listening to customers, identifying adjacent opportunities, testing low-risk pilots, and building partnerships that accelerate growth.
Moderator: Marie Browne, Senior Vice President - RX
Speakers: Kevin Thornton, SVP, Infrastructure & Construction - Informa Markets; Yancy Weinrich, President, North America - CloserStill Media
🎯 Session Spotlight: Deepening Buyer-Seller Engagement with AI Agents
Featuring Max Gabriel, Co-Founder and CEO of Markus AI, alongside John Galante, President of AE Ventures.
The two will dig into how intelligent matchmaking and real-time personalization are turning disconnected moments into designed, high-value engagement, and what separates organizers who are getting this right from those still leaving it to chance.
When: Wednesday, August 19, 12:00-12:30 PM
Where: Terrace Suite, Level 4
Don't miss it.
Later in the day, stop by the WIEN Happy Hour at 5:00 PM to keep the conversation going before the evening's main event.
And then, the party. Wednesday evening closes out with the conference's signature event at Chihuly Garden and Glass, one of Seattle's most striking venues. Transportation departs the Hyatt Regency Seattle at 6:40 PM, with the reception kicking off at 7:00 PM. Dress is casual, the setting is unforgettable, and it's the perfect way to close out two days of sessions.
Who's Speaking
The full speaker lineup spans CEOs, presidents, and senior leaders from across the exhibition and events industry. Here's a look at 20 of them:
Amanda Gochee, Group VP Marketing Strategy - Clarion Events North America
Caitlin Fox, President - mdg, A Freeman company
Christiana Sciaudone, Editor - A Media Operator
Dahlia El Gazzar, Digital Event Strategist and Founder - DAHLIA+Agency
David Saef, Chief Instigator - Freeman
Eleni DuBois, VP, Events - Morning Brew Inc.
Jennifer LeMaster, President & CEO - Seattle Convention Center
John Galante, President - AE Ventures
Jon Benjamin, CEO - ASP
Kevin Thornton, SVP, Infrastructure & Construction - Informa Markets
Liz Irving, CEO - Clarion Events North America
Liz Plizga, President - Diversified USA
Max Gabriel, Co-Founder and CEO - Markus AI
Marie Browne, Senior Vice President - RX
Paul Miller, CEO - Emerald I Questex
Rachel Wimberly, SVP, M&A and Business Development, USA - Easyfairs
Shanna Allen, Director of Marketing - CloserStill Media
Thomas (Tommy) Goodwin, President & CEO - Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA)
Vinnie Polito, CEO - SISO
Yancy Weinrich, President, North America - CloserStill Media
See the full list of speakers for the complete roster.
See You in Seattle
Whether you're an event organizer, a sponsor, or just curious what an AI-powered Event Super Agent can do for your buyer-seller engagement, come find the Markus AI team in Seattle. We'll be around all three days.
Want the full agenda or registration details? Visit the SISO Leadership Conference website or check out the official conference program.
See you there.
Sources:
The countdown to Seattle is on. Are you ready?
From August 18-20, 2026, the SISO Leadership Conference returns, this time at the Seattle Convention Center. The event brings together CEOs, owners, and senior executives from across the exhibition and events industry for three days of strategy, networking, and hard conversations about where the business is headed.
The Markus AI team will be there in full force. Kayla Howe, Max Gabriel, and Paul De Barros will all be on-site, and the team loves to catch up on all the latest industry trends.
Come find us to hear about our new products, our refreshed website, and where the Event intelligence layer and AI Agents are headed next to help top shows.
Why This Conference Matters
The SISO Leadership Conference is built for decision-makers navigating rapid change in the industry. It combines executive-level programming with curated networking, giving attendees direct access to the people and ideas shaping the future of live events. This year's agenda leans heavily into AI, first-party data, and workforce transformation, three topics that sit right at the center of what we're building at Markus AI.
Haven't been before? Get a feel for the caliber of conversation by watching some of last year's CEO interviews on SISO TV before you land in Seattle.
Day 1: Tuesday, August 18
The conference opens with a full slate of programming, from an economic outlook to sessions on organic growth, industry myths versus reality, and connected ecosystems.
Session spotlight, 11:00-11:30 AM: Walking the Walk on Creating a Psychologically Safe Environment A candid look at what it actually takes to build psychological safety on a team, not just talk about it.
Moderator: Rachel Wimberly, SVP, M&A and Business Development, USA - Easyfairs
Speakers: Liz Irving, CEO - Clarion Events North America; Liz Plizga, President - Diversified USA
The day wraps with an Opening Keynote followed by the Opening Night Reception at the Seattle Convention Center's Summit Building, starting with cocktails at the top of the Hillclimb before moving to the Garden Terrace for food and entertainment.
It's the best chance to meet fellow attendees before the real work of the conference begins on Day 2.
Day 2: Wednesday, August 19
This is the day to circle on your calendar. The agenda covers AI visibility and search, first-party data strategy, media and events convergence, and how AI is reshaping workforce and workflow across the industry.
Session spotlight, 9:05-9:45 AM: Organic Growth: The Best Launches Don't Start with Brainstorms and Post-it Notes Terrace Suite - Level 4 · 40 mins You don't need a massive budget or a large portfolio of events to unlock meaningful growth. Whether you manage one show or many, this session explores practical, proven strategies to drive organic growth by listening to customers, identifying adjacent opportunities, testing low-risk pilots, and building partnerships that accelerate growth.
Moderator: Marie Browne, Senior Vice President - RX
Speakers: Kevin Thornton, SVP, Infrastructure & Construction - Informa Markets; Yancy Weinrich, President, North America - CloserStill Media
🎯 Session Spotlight: Deepening Buyer-Seller Engagement with AI Agents
Featuring Max Gabriel, Co-Founder and CEO of Markus AI, alongside John Galante, President of AE Ventures.
The two will dig into how intelligent matchmaking and real-time personalization are turning disconnected moments into designed, high-value engagement, and what separates organizers who are getting this right from those still leaving it to chance.
When: Wednesday, August 19, 12:00-12:30 PM
Where: Terrace Suite, Level 4
Don't miss it.
Later in the day, stop by the WIEN Happy Hour at 5:00 PM to keep the conversation going before the evening's main event.
And then, the party. Wednesday evening closes out with the conference's signature event at Chihuly Garden and Glass, one of Seattle's most striking venues. Transportation departs the Hyatt Regency Seattle at 6:40 PM, with the reception kicking off at 7:00 PM. Dress is casual, the setting is unforgettable, and it's the perfect way to close out two days of sessions.
Who's Speaking
The full speaker lineup spans CEOs, presidents, and senior leaders from across the exhibition and events industry. Here's a look at 20 of them:
Amanda Gochee, Group VP Marketing Strategy - Clarion Events North America
Caitlin Fox, President - mdg, A Freeman company
Christiana Sciaudone, Editor - A Media Operator
Dahlia El Gazzar, Digital Event Strategist and Founder - DAHLIA+Agency
David Saef, Chief Instigator - Freeman
Eleni DuBois, VP, Events - Morning Brew Inc.
Jennifer LeMaster, President & CEO - Seattle Convention Center
John Galante, President - AE Ventures
Jon Benjamin, CEO - ASP
Kevin Thornton, SVP, Infrastructure & Construction - Informa Markets
Liz Irving, CEO - Clarion Events North America
Liz Plizga, President - Diversified USA
Max Gabriel, Co-Founder and CEO - Markus AI
Marie Browne, Senior Vice President - RX
Paul Miller, CEO - Emerald I Questex
Rachel Wimberly, SVP, M&A and Business Development, USA - Easyfairs
Shanna Allen, Director of Marketing - CloserStill Media
Thomas (Tommy) Goodwin, President & CEO - Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA)
Vinnie Polito, CEO - SISO
Yancy Weinrich, President, North America - CloserStill Media
See the full list of speakers for the complete roster.
See You in Seattle
Whether you're an event organizer, a sponsor, or just curious what an AI-powered Event Super Agent can do for your buyer-seller engagement, come find the Markus AI team in Seattle. We'll be around all three days.
Want the full agenda or registration details? Visit the SISO Leadership Conference website or check out the official conference program.
See you there.
Sources:
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