Find the practical details quickly, understand what is included, and decide whether The IPA Exchange fits your speaker-booking needs.
The IPA Exchange is a complimentary, one-day live speaker showcase for qualified meeting and event professionals. Attendees evaluate 28 Certified Speaking Professionals in person before deciding whom to consider for future programs.
See the meeting professional experience →The IPA Exchange takes place Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM Central Time at Maggiano’s Little Italy, Clark & Grand, 516 N. Clark St., Chicago, Illinois 60654.
View the event-day experience →An approved seat includes 28 live seven-minute speaker showcases, full breakfast, a four-course lunch with speaker rotations, curated buyer meetings at 4:30 PM, the closing reception where gifts are presented, direct access to all 28 speakers and their contact information, and an IPA USB drive containing speaker information and resources. Discounted event-day parking is available for $25.
Review everything included →The individual showcase speakers will not be announced in advance. All 28 hold the Certified Speaking Professional designation. CSP is the speaking profession’s earned designation for experienced speakers with a record of client satisfaction and professional performance. Each speaker is also selected for relevant expertise and live presentation skill.
Explore topics and expert standards →Association executives, corporate meeting professionals, and independent planners who select speakers and control or influence a budget may qualify. Seats are reviewed individually, are limited to 100, and are not available to bureaus, agents, or other intermediaries.
See eligibility and the meeting professional experience →Speakers combine recognized professional standing, relevant content, and demonstrated platform skill. The live showcase gives meeting professionals direct evidence of each speaker’s ideas, delivery, and fit.
Review the selection standards →Bring the dates, audience, theme, and open speaker slots for programs you are building in 2027 and beyond. At 4:30 PM, you can sit down with speakers you shortlisted across the four showcase tiers and discuss your actual program.
See how matching works →The showcase running order is not published, so the speaker who best fits your program may appear in the first tier or the last. The four-course lunch includes speaker rotations, curated buyer meetings begin at 4:30 PM, and gifts are presented during the closing reception beginning at 5:15 PM.
View the full event-day agenda →Applications are reviewed for eligibility. Approved meeting professionals receive confirmation and the event details needed to plan their day at The IPA Exchange.
See the application process →Yes. Approved meeting professionals may use the discounted $25 event-day parking rate for The IPA Exchange at Maggiano’s Little Italy, Clark & Grand, 516 N. Clark St., Chicago, Illinois 60654. Meeting professionals may also reserve a hotel room using The IPA Exchange’s discounted rate.
See parking and hotel details →The advisor is ready to help with event details, eligibility, speakers, matching, registration, travel, and follow-through.
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