August 19-21, 2025 | Indiana Convention Center I Indianapolis, IN

SISO Leadership Conference 2025

SISO Summer Conference

Loading

Turning Passion into Impact: A Fireside Chat on Leadership, Legacy and The Our Future Workforce

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Sagamore Ballroom 1-2

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.

Speakers

Warwick Davies, Principal - The Event Mechanic!/The Annabelle Project

Paul Miller, CEO - Questex

“Without a doubt the most valuable three days of the year for networking, learning, and meeting colleagues.”
Tony Calanca, Executive Vice President, UBM
“Two of the best acquisitions Access Intelligence had executed came directly from contacts and discussions held at the SISO CEO Summit. Beyond that important networking for transactions, I learn best practices from the best in the industry. The ROI for membership is immeasurable.”
Don Pazour, CEO, Access Intelligence
“The impact of SISO is so much bigger than its size. It feels more like a global council of important tribes than a traditional trade association.”
David Adler, CEO & Founder, Bizbash Media
“Our industry thrives on the personal relationships that face-to-face builds, and the CEO Summit is the ultimate place to build YOUR network!”
Tom Mitchell, President, Messe Dusseldorf North America
“As busy, independent, for-profit organizer, SISO keeps our company connected to all the key players working in this industry and allows great relationships and ongoing learning of best practices from the best in the business. All invaluable assets to help move our business forward."
Howard Hauben, CEO, H2 Events
“The SISO membership represents the entire for-profit tradeshow community and the annual SISO conferences are must-attend events for their educational and networking value.”
Joel A. Davis, Founder & CEO, JD Events
“SISO connects strategic minds through invaluable networking opportunities and face-to-face executive conferences focused on excellence and inspiration.”
Dana Teague, Vice President, Informa Global Exhibitions
“Participating in SISO puts you on the leading edge of the events world.”
Charles McCurdy, CEO, Informa Global Exhibitions