The International Live Events Association (ILEA) will bring ILEA Live 2026 to Chicago August 24–26 at Venue SIX10, located at 610 S. Michigan Ave. To register or learn more about this conference visit their website: https://www.ileachicago.com/ilea-live-2026-chicago
This year’s theme, “Creating Futures,” focuses on bringing together event professionals from across generations and around the world to exchange ideas, explore innovation and look at what’s next for the live events industry. The conference is designed for professionals throughout the industry, including event planners and producers, venue and hospitality professionals, designers, suppliers, business owners and emerging industry leaders.
The three-day conference begins Monday, August 24 with “Leading the Future Forward.” Programming includes “Building the Future: The Power of Mentorship in Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders,” a panel exploring how intentional mentorship can support leadership development and strengthen organizational culture. Monday also includes ILEA’s Annual General Meeting and concludes with the ILEA Live Welcome Reception from 6–9 p.m. at ROOF on theWit in downtown Chicago.
Tuesday, August 25 focuses on “Designing Tomorrow,” with a full day of education covering topics that event professionals can apply to their businesses and events. Johnny Cupcakes opens the day with “The Unexpected Sprinkles,” a keynote exploring brand loyalty, memorable experiences and innovation. Additional sessions address event security, selecting wine for events, PR and storytelling, neuroinclusive event design, leadership, purpose-driven fundraising and collaboration. The day also includes “Global Voices, Shared Futures,” a general session examining how areas including global mobility, cultural intelligence, sustainability and collaboration are influencing the future of events. Tuesday evening, attendees can participate in SEARCH Live at Good Night John Boy, benefiting the SEARCH Foundation and its work supporting event professionals in crisis.
Wednesday, August 26 turns to “Activating What’s Possible,” with programming addressing some of the changes currently shaping the industry. Dahlia El Gazzar opens the day with a keynote examining how event professionals can embrace automation and evolving technology without losing the human skills behind successful experiences. Sessions throughout the day explore hospitality and guest experience, AI and the human advantage, next-generation leadership and practical approaches to producing more sustainable events. El Gazzar will also lead the hands-on Vibe Build Lab, where attendees can use AI to create a working prototype of an idea, tool, microsite, dashboard or other project. The conference’s educational programming concludes with keynote speaker Daniel Lewis before the annual ESPRIT Awards at the Art Institute of Chicago, recognizing excellence in planning, design, technical production, catering, entertainment, sustainability and other areas of the live events industry.
Attendees can register for the full conference or choose individual experiences based on their schedules and interests. Conference Education Passes are $559 for ILEA members and $699 for non-members. New for 2026, attendees who cannot participate in the full conference can purchase a Tuesday or Wednesday day pass for $350. Separate tickets are also available for experiences including the Welcome Reception, SEARCH Live and ESPRIT Awards, making it possible for local event professionals to participate in portions of ILEA Live even if they cannot commit to all three days.
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