Sunday, May 4
Pre-Summit Agenda
10:00 am - 4:00 pm | Board Meeting
WPI Board of Directors only. Breakfast and lunch provided. Versailles Boardroom at Sofitel Hotel. (map it)
10:00 am - 4:00 pm | Next Gen Council Meeting
WPI Next Gen Council members only. Breakfast and lunch provided. Limoges Boardroom at Sofitel Hotel. (map it)
6:00 - 9:00 pm | Basis Oasis - Opening Reception
Join us at the Basis Oasis for some hors d'oeuvres and cocktails while taking in the incredible views of the city and reuniting with your partners. How to get there:
Monday, May 5
Day 1 Agenda
Support from
7:00 - 9:00 am | Breakfast
All conference attendees are invited to enjoy a buffet breakfast from 7-9 am in the foyer outside the Grand Ballroom.
9:00 am - 4:00 | General Session
Our general session will be in the Grand Ballroom at Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile.
9:00 - 9:15 am | Welcome to NEXT
Stephen Brown
WPI Board Chair + CEO
FUSE Create
9:15 - 9:45 am | WPI Next
John Harris
President + CEO
Worldwide Partners
John Harris, President & CEO of Worldwide Partners, will provide an update on the network and outline the goals and strategies for the next year.
9:45 - 10:45 am | Unleash Creativity & Bold Storytelling with AI
Taryn Southern
Futurist
Taryn Southern has spent nearly two decades leveraging cutting-edge technology to amplify creativity and human potential. As a pioneering YouTuber, she garnered over one billion views before evolving her craft to include award-winning VR projects and a Tribeca-premiering documentary. Her groundbreaking experiments include producing the world’s first AI-composed pop album in 2017, cloning herself in 2020, and developing a personalized life coach after a life-altering diagnosis. In this session, Taryn reveals proven strategies to design AI-powered workflows that save time, reduce costs, and revolutionize team creativity—from idea to execution.
10:45 - 11:15 am | Networking Break
11:15 am - 12:00 | Creativity Experimentation in a Machine Age
Nilesh Ashra
Founder | OK Tomorrow
Some of our basic understanding of Generative AI is wrong. Going beyond the surface, we can get to deep understanding of what's really in front of us, in turn unlocking new possibilities for creative collaborations with machines and models. This session will explore real demos and experiments that intersect creativity, serendipity and generative AI.
12:00 - 1:30 pm | Lunch / Shareholder Lunch
Lunch will be served in the foyer outside the main ballroom. Shareholders are invited to a private lunch in the Sofitel's Versailles room.
1:30 - 4:00 pm | Breakout Sessions
We'll be hosting four separate breakout groups: Creativity + AI, New Business, Finance and Media. Each breakout group will be run by an industry leader, offering a mix of expert-led content and interactive discussions with your partners. All sessions except the Media one will take place in separate rooms in Sofitel Hotel. Media breakout group will make their way to Basis Technologies' office. BREAKOUTS: - Live Experimentation with AI: Getting Deep, Going Weird, and Pushing the Limits with Nilesh Ashra (Sofitel Ballroom 1) - Agency Finance with Vince Dong (Sofitel Marseilles Room) - New Business Workshop with Marcus Brown (Sofitel Ballroom 2) - Attendees will be the first in the network to receive our new proprietary WPI Growth Playbook, and will workshop skills and approaches for collaborative growth. - Media with Basis and Talon (Basis Office - 11 E Madison St, 6th Fl, Chicago, IL 60602) When registering, please indicate your top three choices for which session you would like to attend. Session selection will be based on combination of first-come-first-serve and relevancy. If you do not indicate a choice when registering or miss the deadline, you will be assigned a group.
7:00 - 11:00 pm | Group Dinner
River Boat Cruise + Dinner
Board the boat at the river dock opposite the NBC Tower (455 Cityfront Plaza Dr).
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Enjoy an exceptional cruise along the Chicago River, indulging in delightful dishes and drinks while soaking in breathtaking views of the city's unique architecture, glittering skyscrapers, and iconic landmarks. How to get there: Meet at the river dock opposite the NBC Tower (455 Cityfront Plaza Dr, Chicago, IL 60611) to board our dinner cruise boat.
Tuesday, May 6
Day 2 Agenda
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7:00 - 8:45 am | Breakfast
All conference attendees are invited to enjoy a buffet breakfast from 7-8:45 am in Le Bar on the first floor off the main lobby in the Sofitel hotel.
9:30 am - 5:00 pm | General Session
Our Day 2 General Sessions, sponsored by Talon, will take place at The Second City, the oldest improvisational theater in Chicago, and the starting point for numerous well-known comedians and actors, including Alan Arkin, Bill Murray, John Belushi, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Stephen Colbert. How to get there:
9:30 - 10:00 am | Day 1 Recap
Stephen Brown
WPI Board Chair + CEO
FUSE Create
10:00 - 11:30 am | The Second City Improv Workshop
The Second City Improv Troupe facilitated by Meagan O'Brien
The Second City, home to alumni like Bill Murray, Keegan-Michael Key and Tina Fey, have been developing and launching the careers of generation-defining comedians, performers, writers and directors for over 60 years. They bring their comedy expertise to businesses and organizations by creating unforgettable, laugh-out-loud custom content, learning and event support. On Day 2 of NEXT '25, The Second City's team will be running an interactive improvisation workshop focused on refining collaborative communication skills that fuel creativity, win new business and attract rising stars.
11:30 am - 12:00 pm | Networking Break
12:00 - 12:45 pm | Ask Me Anything: Search Consultant
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Stephan Argent
Founder & CEO | Listenmore
Burning questions you've always wanted to ask a search consultant or intermediary? This is your chance! Listenmore's Stephan Argent joins us for a live Ask Me Anything. No question is too small. No topic is off limits.
12:45 - 1:45 pm | Lunch
Lunch is served at the rooftop restaurant, Utopian Tailgate.
1:45 - 2:30 pm | Ask Me Anything: Procurement
Burning questions you've always wanted to ask a procurement leader? This is your chance! Former P&G Procurement leader John Gleason joins us to share some key insights on the procurement/agency relationship, followed by a live Ask Me Anything. No question is too small. No topic is off limits.
John Gleason
Former P&G Procurement | President A Better View Stratetic Consulting
2:30 - 3:30 pm | Partner Panel: What's NEXT for Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing has changed a great deal since its beginning. Moving far beyond one-way brand endorsements, influencers today serve as creative collaborators, product co-creators, and powerful tools for brand engagement. In this panel, your partners will discuss the changing role of influencers, the impact of emerging technologies like AI, strategies for building authentic connections with audiences, and more.
3:30 - 3:45 pm | Networking Break
3:45 - 4:45 | Speaker Announcement Coming Soon!
Details coming soon...
4:45 - 5:00 pm | Closing Remarks
John Harris
President + CEO
Worldwide Partners
7:00 - 11:00 pm | Grand Indies + Young Indies Awards Ceremony
Celebrate the Grand Indies, Young Indies and Perfect Partner award winners with your partners in this contemporary, two-level atelier. How to get there: WPI will be providing Uber vouchers to travel to the Award Ceremony and Dinner. Please make your way to LM Studio Chicago at 808 S Michigan Ave.