2026 SCHEDULE

*Schedule subject to change

CONFERENCE

IN-PERSON CONFERENCE ONLY

  • Date/Time:

    • Conference Day 1: Monday, September 21, 2026, 8:15 am – 4:00 pm
    • Conference Day 2: Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 8:15 am – 4:00 pm
    • Optional Networking Social: Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
    • Optional ERG Leadership Certificate: Wednesday, September 23, 2026: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm 

SCHEDULE 

DAY 1 – MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2026

Note to conference attendees: Please refer to your one-week-out email for the final conference schedule.

8:15 – 9:00 am
Registration, optional continental breakfast, networking

9:00 am
Welcome and Table Exercise
Emcee: TBA

9:30 am
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration and Discover Live Tour
Featured speakers: Discover Live team (local and abroad)

9:50 am
Creating Community Experiences
Featured speakers: Discover Live team, McArthur Stephen (GEICO), Tammara Sutton (consultant)

10:30 am
Table Exercise: Building Community and Partnerships

11:00 am
Exhibitor Meet & Greet Networking Break

11:20 am
Keynote: What Drives ERG Success: The Keys to Thriving Together
Keynote speaker: TBA

12:10 pm
Lunch, networking, exhibitor meet & greet

1:15 pm
Workshop 1

  •  Room 2A: Breakout A – TBA
    • Featured speakers: TBA
  •  Room 2B: Breakout B – TBA
    • Featured speakers: TBA
  •  Room 2C: Breakout C – TBA
    • Featured speakers: TBA

3:00 pm
Workshop 2

  • Room 2A: Breakout A – TBA
    • Featured speakers: TBA
  •  Room 2B: Breakout B – TBA
    • Featured speakers: TBA
  •  Room 2C: Breakout C – TBA
    • Featured speakers: TBA

4:00 – 4:30 pm
Optional, informal networking

CONFERENCE DAY 2 – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 

8:15 – 8:55 am
Optional continental breakfast and Idea Think Tank (participants are invited to share a challenge and the group will share solution ideas)
Think Tank Host: TBA

9:00 am
Welcome, Discover Live Tour

9:20 am
Executive/C-Suite Panel: Leadership Development
Featured Speakers: TBA

10:05 am
Leadership Communication Workshop

11:15 am
Workshop 2

  • Room 2A: Breakout A – TBA
    • Featured speakers: TBA
  •  Room 2B: Breakout B – TBA
    • Featured speakers: TBA
  •  Room 2C: Breakout C – TBA
    • Featured speakers: TBA

12:15 pm
Networking Lunch

1:00 pm
Engagement Panel

2:00 pm
Workshops

  • Room 2A: Breakout A – TBA
    • Featured speakers: TBA
  •  Room 2B: Breakout B – TBA
    • Featured speakers: TBA
  •  Room 2C: Breakout C – TBA
    • Featured speakers: TBA

3:30 pm
Closing Panel

Closing

OPTIONAL (registration required)
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Networking Social and Activity
Location: Offsite location TBA

ERG LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE

Date/Time: Wednesday, September 23, 2026; 9:00 am – 3:30 pm ET

  • The ERG Leadership Certificate program is an optional add-on activity: $575 (a discounted rate that includes a $420 conference discount off the standard fee of $995)

Description: The ERG Leadership Certificate course components consist of the following:

  • Brief introduction to ERGs
  • ERG business case and business alignment
  • Structure: ERG charter, enterprise structure, group structure, ERG and Executive Sponsor roles and responsibilities
  • Internal partners: Communications, HR, DEI, IT, leadership
  • External partners: Community engagement
  • Management and operations: ERG launch, recruitment, programming, engagement, retention, growth
  • Evaluation: metrics, shared outcome

Format: Classroom and workshop, in person only