Las Vegas, July 27-30, 2026: Event Leaders Exchange (ELX) welcomed its community of senior corporate event leaders to The Venetian Resort Las Vegas from July 27–30 for the ELX Annual Congress 2026.
The three-day flagship event combined peer exchange, leadership development, practical learning, and shared experiences, including the first ELX Gala.
Attendance was double that of the previous year, demonstrating the continued growth of the ELX community. The experience remained grounded in the principles that have shaped ELX since its founding: trusted peer exchange, candid conversation, strong relationships, and content built around the realities of senior event leadership.
This year’s extended format introduced a connection-focused opening day. Members had more time to meet, reconnect, and build relationships before two full days of content.
The ELX Annual Congress opened with a spoken-word performance by Spoken Cinema, setting the tone for three days shaped by creativity, community, and shared experience.
The 2026 program was led by Chloe Richardson, in collaboration with content chairs Adele Durham, Senior Director, Global Events at Veeam Software, and Courtney Hutchison, Head of WW Events and Creative at Amazon.
The program combined speaker sessions, workshops, peer discussions, and interactive formats. Each session focused on the decisions, pressures, and priorities senior corporate event leaders are managing within their roles.
Subjects included storytelling and influence, team resilience, research, measurement, creativity, personalization, operational resilience, AI, mentorship, and the position of the event function within the wider business.
Many of these subjects came directly from issues identified by ELX members. The program gave leaders practical perspectives while creating time for honest discussion with peers working at a similar level of responsibility and complexity.
Private member conversations allowed attendees to shape discussions around the issues most relevant to those in the room. These sessions protected the confidentiality and trust that are central to ELX.
Interactive afternoon sessions brought energy back into the room after lunch and encouraged members to think differently, participate, and learn from one another.
“After 20+ years in the events industry, it's hard to get energized at an industry conference. When I attend ELX Annual Congress, I feel like a kid in a candy store full of people who "get" me. We (the members) drive the content and when I see the agenda, there's always a topic that is absolutely relevant to my immediate world. The room is filled with my peers who living the same experiences and challenges and everyone is eager to share best practices. These connections continue outside of the Congress and the community as a whole is always there for each other.”
Stacy Weber, ELX Member
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. Photo credits: RVRB Agency.
Connection remained central to the ELX Annual Congress experience in 2026.
The opening day gave members more time to reconnect with established peers and form new relationships before the content program began.
That focus continued through shared meals, breaks, private discussions, and evening experiences. Each part of the program was designed to support stronger peer relationships and more candid conversation.
This intentional structure allowed the Congress to grow while retaining the close-knit and trusted character members value.
“In a role where you're expected to have all the answers, ELX gives me a trusted circle of peers who truly understand the complexity of enterprise-level events, and who generously share the strategies that are actually working.”
Katrina Kent, Vice President, Meeting Management and Event Strategy, Liberty Mutual
The inaugural ELX Gala was a major addition to the 2026 Annual Congress.
Hosted by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) at Allegiant Stadium, the black-tie evening brought members and partners together for an experience outside the main content program.
The noir glam theme invited guests to dress in black, white, and silver. An optional Glam Suite at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas provided makeup touch-ups, lashes, shoe shines, and fragrance application ahead of the evening.
The Gala reflected the wider purpose of the Congress: combining leadership-level content with shared experiences that strengthen relationships across the ELX community.
“ELX Annual Congress was one of the most meaningful and valuable events in my career. I'm so grateful for this community and for the opportunity to participate!”
Becky Emmett, GM of Global Events, Intel
Drone Show - Allegiant Stadium. Photo credits: RVRB Agency.
The ELX Annual Congress 2026 marked an important stage in the continued growth of Event Leaders Exchange.
As the community expands, the purpose of the event remains unchanged. The ELX Annual Congress continues to provide senior corporate event leaders with a trusted place to step away from delivery, exchange perspectives with true peers, and discuss the realities of leading complex event functions.
The event concluded with the ELX Block Party at AREA15, giving attendees a final opportunity to connect and celebrate together in an immersive setting.
“The ELX Annual Conference is a must-attend event for senior event marketing professionals. Every aspect of the program is intentionally designed to foster meaningful connections, deliver thoughtfully curated content, and create experiences that continue long after the event ends. If you’re looking for more than a conference, ELX is in a class of its own.”
Keegan Hooks, ELX Member
The next ELX Annual Congress will take place in Seattle from August 9–11, 2027.
Event Leaders Exchange is an invitation-only community for senior corporate event leaders from the world’s largest global brands.
ELX strengthens leadership at the top of corporate events by creating trusted opportunities for peer exchange, shared learning, research, and professional development.
For more information, visit https://www.eventleaders.com/.