Rising Leaders Summit
February 23-25, 2026
George R. Brown Convention Center
Houston, TX
I am Attending To Learn From The Best To Level Up My Career To Build Connections To Invest In My Future To Expand My Impact To Build The Skills That Matter To Become More Confident
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Click here to see who is already registered for the Summit.
George R. Brown Convention Center
Houston, TX
I am Attending To Learn From The Best To Level Up My Career To Build Connections To Invest In My Future To Expand My Impact To Build The Skills That Matter To Become More Confident
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
Click here to see who is already registered for the Summit.
Where Tomorrow's Leaders Rise Today
The Rising Leaders Summit brings together emerging talent from across the exhibitions and events industry for a one-and-a-half-day experience focused on leadership growth, career development, and meaningful connections.
New for 2026, the Leadership Lab offers an engaging, hands-on learning environment where participants can rotate through themed “learning stations”, hosted by industry experts. Each station provides quick, focused takeaways on essential leadership and career development topics — helping you turn insights into action right away.
The Summit also features our signature dine-around experience, giving attendees the chance to build relationships and share ideas in an informal, engaging setting.
Speaker Overview
About the Summit
Over the course of one-and-a-half-days, the Summit will feature a robust agenda of leadership development sessions and industry-specific workshops led by an elite set of speakers.
Notable highlights include a Leadership Lab, where attendees can elevate their professional presence through LinkedIn profile reviews and a headshot station.
The Summit will also offer a unique networking experience through a dine-around, providing an engaging and informal setting for attendees to connect with peers and form new professional relationships.
INFLUENCE
Influence your peers and organization by honing essential leadership skills and expanding your professional network.
INNOVATE
Innovate with fresh insights and leadership strategies designed for the evolving exhibitions and events industry.
INSPIRE
Through dynamic workshops and networking opportunities, you’ll be inspired to take the next step in your personal and professional growth.
Curious What to Expect? Hear From Your Peers!
IN-PERSON NETWORKING
ADDITIONAL CONFIDENCE
INTERACTIVE LEARNING
CEM Preferred Provider
As a result, the 2026 Rising Leaders Summit is now eligible for 9 clock hours toward CEM recertification.
The CEM program is a globally respected certification designed to raise professional standards and enhance individual performance across the exhibitions and events industry. ESCA’s new status as a Preferred Provider places it among a select group of organizations offering high-value educational content aligned with the goals of CEM certification.
As a co-leader of the newly formed Rising Leaders Committee, I’ve had the rewarding opportunity to help build a vibrant network of peers who are navigating similar stages in their careers within our industry.
What began as a shared interest quickly evolved into a structured community, offering meaningful connections, professional development, and a space for collaborative growth.
It’s been incredibly fulfilling to witness how quickly enthusiasm and engagement have translated into real infrastructure and impact.
The Summit was a turning point for me. It broke me out of my comfort zone and reignited my drive to learn, explore, and challenge myself in new ways.
Michelle Cederberg’s keynote inspired me to own my awesome, take small steps because the results are worth it, and dare to live and dream big. For the first time, I fully immersed myself in networking, building meaningful connections with people I’m excited to learn from and collaborate with in the future.
If you ever get the chance to attend, take it. Step into the experience, embrace the discomfort, and watch how it can change the way you lead, work, and grow.
One of the best parts of the Rising Leaders Summit for me was the networking. Having the chance to connect with peers across the industry and build lasting relationships was by far the greatest ROI. The dine-around dinners were especially valuable—they created a more intentional setting for conversations, new connections and truly getting me out of my comfort zone.
That said, the education side of the Summit deserves equal recognition. Sessions on soft skills like leadership and communication, led by Dr. Sam Potolicco and Nick Johnston, really stood out. What I appreciated most was how those skills were then tied back into industry knowledge and updates—it was the perfect balance and made the whole experience that much more impactful.
Why Attend
Organizational Impact
The skills and insights you gain at the Rising Leaders Summit will not only contribute to your individual success but also drive positive change within your organization. Discover how your growth as a leader and enhanced industry knowledge can directly impact your company’s performance.
Connect with Peers
Build meaningful connections with peers and thought leaders from across the industry. Engage in interactive discussions, share experiences, and establish relationships that can support your professional growth and foster collaboration.
Justification Letter
Make a compelling case to attend the Rising Leaders Summit with our customizable justification letter. Highlight the valuable learning opportunities, industry networking, and the direct impact this Summit can have on your career and your organization. Show your employer why investing in your development is a smart move for both you and your company.
The Case for Investing in Yourself
Download the PDF presentation to share with your leadership team and highlight how attending the Rising Leaders Summit will enhance your professional growth and development.
Why Send Your Team - Proven ROI
We understand the importance of justifying the investment. A detailed presentation is available to showcase the value of sending your team to this event, from fostering leadership growth to building your organization’s future leadership pipeline. By attending, your team will gain access to transformative experiences that will position them—and your organization—for long-term success.
Thank You 2026 Sponsors
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