ELX News

Held in Chicago, the ELX Annual Congress is the largest and most comprehensive ELX event, affirming its role as the flagship gathering for the world’s top senior event leaders. This year’s program received record-breaking attendance and notably deeper engagement, marking a successful milestone within the ELX community.  

Chicago, Illinois, 14-16 July 2025-– The ELX Annual Congress forged an unparalleled arena where senior event leaders collaborated at the highest level, driving strategic insight, forging powerful connections, and promoting peer exchange. Held under the Chatham House Rule, the gathering sparked insightful discussion on how leaders can drive impact through cross-functional alignment, adaptability, and strategic direction. As the event industry becomes increasingly unpredictable, leaders who foster collaboration and connection will shape the future.  

Strategic Vision Begins with Meaningful Connection 

The ELX Annual Congress opened with ELX’s Head of Content and event emcee, Chloe Richardson. With the InterContinental Chicago as the chosen host, the venue offered an unforgettable experience. Not just as a event space, but as a living piece of history infused with the energy of modern-day Chicago, making this a perfect setting for ELX's most prestigious event.  

The agenda curated by Chloe Richardson alongside ELX content chairs , Sarah Gannon, Director, Corporate Events at MathWorks and Callie Motz, Director, Client Strategy at Augeo,   focused on Future-Ready Leadership. This theme resonated with senior event leaders seeking to adapt to shifting industry demands and position their teams for long-term success. 

From the start, the message that collaboration is a competitive edge resonated with a powerful keynote from, Shane Feldman, Founder of Count Me In, who demonstrated that in today’s rapidly evolving world of work, strong community, and trust are not just values, but essential drivers of success. By cultivating environments for authentic exchange, gatherings like the ELX Annual Congress cultivate lasting relationships, strengthen culture, and amplify performance. The day unfolded into immersive, thoughtfully designed sessions that nurtured meaningful relationships and peer-led dialogue.  

Shared Moments, Stronger Community 

Rather than isolating networking into individual sessions, the ELX Annual Congress was intentionally designed to drive ongoing engagement. From breakfast each morning to shared transfers at the end of the day, members were provided with consistent opportunities to build relationships and exchange ideas. This spirit of collaboration extended into the structure of the program itself, which was entirely member-led. Every session featured content developed and delivered by ELX members, including seminars, interactive workshops, and small group discussions.  

These peer-driven experiences created trusted environments where senior event leaders could openly share challenges, reflect on lessons learned, and explore forward-thinking strategies together. The result was a cohesive and highly participatory event that placed members and their insights at the center of the conversation. 

"ELX offers a safe place to share ideas, learn best practices, gain valuable insights on trends impacting our industry and feel supported in these roles. I leave feeling excited about what I've learned and can't wait to start implementing while continuing the dialogue with other event leaders." 

 —Shawn Wagner, Hewlett Packard Enterprise 

At the heart of ELX’s commitment to member-led exchange is the belief that the most valuable insights come directly from those leading the world’s most complex event portfolios. 

A Grand Slam Gathering   

The ELX team closed the evening with a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the iconic Wrigley Field. The night began in the historic 1912 Club, setting the tone for what would become an unforgettable celebration of community and connection.  

Personalized Cubs jerseys, used as creative place cards for the arranged seating, welcomed senior event leaders onto the infield, where dinner was served directly on the baseball diamond as the MLB All-Star Game played on the stadium screens. Guests then moved to the batting cages for a hands-on experience before concluding the night with dessert in the Cubs locker room. 

In a setting hard to forget, attendees connected not just through conversation, but through collective memory, genuine moments, and shared appreciation for the experience. The night was a celebration of both professional achievement and personal connection. 

The evening would not have been possible without the dedication and hospitality of the Wrigley Field Events Team, an ELX events partner. 

Creative Futures: How Today’s Leaders Are Building Tomorrow 

Chloe Richardson, opened the final day of the ELX Annual Congress as the event emcee by welcoming members to reflect on shared insights and lean into dialogue centered on the future of leadership. 

"ELX Congress 2025 reminded me that shared challenges, when met with diverse perspectives, unlock powerful solutions. It’s a community I’m committed to growing with—because the more we invest in each other, the stronger we all become." 

 —Heather Schneider, Celonis 

To bring the content to a close, ELX concluded with a forward-looking keynote from, Henry Coutinho-Mason, author and futurist. Senior event leaders were invited to reframe AI not as a tool of isolation, but as a catalyst for connection. Drawing on global case studies, Henry demonstrated how AI can enhance collaboration, amplify creative output, and help smaller teams deliver greater results.  

The ELX Annual Congress stands apart as the only event that brings together senior event leaders from the world’s most influential organizations in a member-led setting. With an 80/20 ratio of members to partners, the Congress creates a space where experienced leaders can learn from one another, exchange actionable insights, and bring fresh strategies back to their own work. This year’s gathering revealed that the future of the event industry will be defined by leaders who are willing to learn together, adapt with purpose, and invest in the power of community. 

Future-Ready, Again: Announcing the 2026 ELX Congress 

The 2025 Congress addressed the evolving priorities of senior event leaders from the world’s most influential organizations by focusing on future-ready leadership, global collaboration, AI-enhanced strategy, and developing high-performing teams. 

With a continued focus on member-led priorities, the exclusive, 2026 ELX Annual Congress will return from July 27 to 30 at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. Pre-registration is now available to ELX members, and early enrollment is advised following 2025’s rapid demand.  

Not yet an ELX member? More information on membership criteria and how to apply can be found at the ELX website.