2025 Conference Program

Did you know that Indianapolis boasts more monuments than any U.S. city outside of Washington, D.C.? Join us for the Indy Monuments & Murals Tour—a fun and fascinating journey through the city’s most iconic landmarks and vibrant public art. Along the way, you’ll uncover the rich history behind these cultural treasures and enjoy plenty of photo and selfie opportunities.

The tour departs from and returns to the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis.

🎉 Free for all early-arriving SISO attendees!
Advance registration is required.

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Join us on Monday, August 18, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM for a spirited adventure through Indy’s craft beverage scene! This guided tour includes stops at 3–4 local breweries that are part of the Indy Craft Pass. You’ll sample unique brews, tour the facilities, and learn about the brewing process firsthand.

Along the way, discover how the Indy Craft Pass was created, how it works, and how Visit Indy collaborates with its partners to promote the city’s vibrant craft culture—plus, hear some valuable lessons learned from the journey.

The tour departs from and returns to the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis.

🎉 Free for all early-arriving SISO attendees!
Advance registration is required.

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🍽 Buffet Lunch
A buffet lunch will be provided for all registered participants of the SISO Women’s Leadership Forum.

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When we think about mentoring, we often think of more senior individuals imparting advice and knowledge to junior employees. However, reverse mentoring is where junior employees teach more senior leaders.

In this interactive session, you will learn how to create a reverse-mentoring program and the individual and organizational benefits. We will also explore the skills and capabilities that will enable both the junior mentor and the senior mentee to be more effective in learning from each other.

What did Gen Z think the very first time they stepped on a trade show floor? How do they like to be communicated with? How did they end up in the industry? How are they using AI? How can trade shows utilize social media more effectively? Hear from Gen Z panelists on a variety of topics.

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Beverages and desserts will be served in the back of the room.

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Senior leaders will be at each roundtable and ask participants about hot topics such as – what do they think is the future of trade shows? What do they think of the employee experience? Are we using data effectively at our shows? And many more! At the end, tables will share back some of their main takeaways from these valuable discussions.

 

 

Kick off your SISO experience in high gear with an exclusive evening at the newly renovated Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum! Be among the first to explore the museum’s reimagined exhibits, featuring cutting-edge displays and legendary race cars that bring the thrill of the Indy 500 to life like never before.

Enjoy a night of networking, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks in a one-of-a-kind setting that celebrates speed, innovation, and history. Whether you're a motorsports fan or simply love a unique venue, this is the perfect way to start your time in Indy.

🕓 Date & Time: Sunday, August 18 | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
🚌 Transportation provided to and from the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis

🎉 Free for all registered SISO attendees!
Advance RSVP required.

🚌 Shuttle Schedule – Opening Night Reception
Departure from Hyatt Regency to the Museum:

• The first shuttle loads at 5:30 PM, and departs at 5:45 PM
• The second shuttle loads at 6:00 PM depart at 6:15 PM

Return from the Museum to the Hyatt Regency:

• First return shuttle at 7:30 PM
• Additional return shuttles at 8:00 PM, 8:30 PM, and 9:00 PM (final departure)
   

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In this candid 20-minute conversation, industry veterans Warwick Davies (The Event Mechanic!) and Paul Miller (CEO, Questex) unpack the real-world origin story of The Annabelle Project—a mentorship initiative that started with a personal mission and evolved into a model for leadership in action.

Whether or not your company has a formal diversity strategy, you likely have the resources, influence, and opportunity to shape the next generation of event professionals—and grow your business culture in the process. This session is not about compliance or checking boxes. It’s about practical leadership, how to back up good intentions with meaningful action, and why mentorship might be your most underleveraged asset.

Expect straight talk, real examples, and clear ideas you can bring home and implement—without a new budget or board resolution.

 

In a time when even the word “inclusion” can spark debate, event organizers may feel pressure to stay neutral. But inclusion isn’t about politics — it’s about people. And when done with authenticity, it’s also smart business. This session will address why meaningful inclusion efforts — not just seasonal posts or stage moments — drive attendee connection, brand trust, and long-term loyalty. Backed by research and real-world examples, a panel will challenge leaders to rethink what representation really means and how it can be embedded into the event experience in practical, impactful ways.

     

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Details to follow. 

Dress Code: Casual Chic
Shorts are welcome! Join us in comfortable, casual attire for an enjoyable evening at the SISO Leadership Conference on August 20, 2025, at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis.

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🍽 Lunch Options – Departure Day

• Grab & Go Boxes will be available starting at noon for those needing to leave early for flights.
• For those staying, a sit-down lunch will begin at 12:30 PM.
   

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Tour the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium 🏈

Two venues, overseen by One board with 566,600 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space. From tradeshows and conventions to dirt bikes and concerts, walk behind the scenes to see how they make it happen.

Indiana Convention Center - from standard tradeshows to semi-truck driving championships, to firefighters with live fire drills and everything in between, let alone hosting the entirety of the NCAA Championships during COVID in a bubble.

Lucas Oil Stadium - from NFL Football games to loading tons of dirt for Motorcross Supercross, to building Olympic-sized pools for USA Olympic Swimming Trials and concerts galore.
 

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