Arrival, Breakfast & Buyer Book
Start with a full hot breakfast and your curated event guide.
DO YOU QUALIFY?
Watch Certified Speaking Professionals in action before you book.
Your seat is complimentary, but availability is limited. See 28 top speakers live, compare them side by side, and leave with a confident shortlist.
YOUR VIEW FROM THE ROOM
Judge the fit for yourself.
See how speakers connect with a real audience, capture what matters to your next program, and flag the strongest fits for a direct conversation later in the day.
OCTOBER 7 · CHICAGO
Compare 28 speakers live and build your shortlist in one day.
Four showcase tiers feature seven experts presenting for seven minutes each. After every tier, Dale Irvin, CSP, CPAE, summarizes the key takeaways. Dale returns for a fifth appearance to close the day—helping you compare the experts and leave with a confident shortlist for your next event.
Opening Remarks: Jaime Nolan
President & CEO of the National Speakers Association.
Seven Speakers. Seven Minutes Each.
Seven live presentations followed by an insight summary from Dale Irvin, CSP, CPAE.
Seven Speakers. Seven Minutes Each.
Seven live presentations followed by an insight summary from Dale Irvin, CSP, CPAE.
Discover Our Sponsors
Four-Course Lunch & Speaker Rotations
Speakers move between courses, giving you face-to-face time with eight speakers during lunch.
Seven Speakers. Seven Minutes Each.
Seven live presentations followed by an insight summary from Dale Irvin, CSP, CPAE.
Seven Speakers. Seven Minutes Each.
Seven live presentations followed by an insight summary from Dale Irvin, CSP, CPAE.
Curated Meetings
Direct buyer-speaker conversations matched by fit.
Dale Irvin Wraps the Day
Dale’s fifth appearance connects the insights and opportunities from the full event.
Toast Reception for Follow-Through
Closing reception, where gifts are presented beginning at 5:15 PM.
COME WITH YOUR DATES
Bring a real program. Plan on the full day.
Bring the programs you are building for 2027 and beyond: the dates, audience, theme, and the slot that is still blank. That is what turns a showcase into a booking conversation.
The running order stays private
The speaker who solves your problem could appear in the first tier or the last. The talent you haven't heard of yet is one reason to stay in the room.
Meet eight speakers over lunch
During the four-course lunch, speakers rotate through the tables. Learn face to face what a discovery call can take weeks to reveal.
Use the 4:30 buyer meetings
Sit down with speakers you shortlisted across all four tiers and discuss your actual program, audience, dates, and objectives.
Finish at the reception
Keep the best conversations moving and be present when gifts are presented beginning at 5:15 PM.
YOUR COMPLIMENTARY DAY INCLUDES
More than a showcase. A full day built for better booking decisions.
- 28 live seven-minute speaker showcases
- Full breakfast and a four-course lunch with speaker rotations
- Curated buyer meetings beginning at 4:30 PM
- Closing reception, where gifts are presented
- Direct access to all 28 speakers and their contact information
- Peer networking with other meeting professionals
- An IPA USB drive with speaker information, tools, tips, and offers
Your seat is complimentary and held for the full day. There is no registration fee and no deposit. The only thing we ask you to bring is a real program.
GETTING THERE & STAYING OVER
Two fewer details to worry about.
Park for the day for $25.
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.
Reserve your hotel room.
Meeting professionals may book accommodations using The IPA Exchange’s discounted hotel rate.
Book Your Hotel Room →WHO QUALIFIES?
Complimentary seats are for meeting professionals with real booking responsibility.
Seats are limited to 100 and every application is reviewed. You qualify if you select speakers and control or influence a budget— association executives, corporate meeting professionals, and independent planners with real booking authority. No bureaus, agents, commissions, or intermediaries are in the room. That deliberate rule is why the room works for buyers and speakers.
YOUR ALWAYS-ON IPA ADVISOR
Plan your IPA Exchange experience.
Ask about eligibility, the October 7 agenda, parking, hotel accommodations, the USB resource, or what meeting professionals receive.
If the advisor does not appear, open it in a new window →