Insights

March 28, 2025

Five years after COVID-19, C-suite events and communities are back in full force — and are undeniably different from pre-2020. The way we engage, network, and experience conferences has been reshaped by new technologies, changing executive expectations, and a growing demand for hybrid formats.

In today’s newsletter, we’ll dive into the principles defining the 2025 events and memberships landscape.

ICYMI: Global Gateway Advisors released the 2025 Copernicus Media Landscape Report, delivering key insights to help communications leaders navigate the evolving landscape.

Optimizing the value of C-Suite Events

For years, industry conferences and events have been essential for organizations looking to drive thought leadership, establish credibility with key stakeholders, and strengthen connections within their industry and beyond.

By the numbers: 71% of attendees believe in-person B2B conferences offer the most effective way to learn about new products or services. 

The event industry as we know it is changing. Here are key trends to inform your events strategy.

Paid sponsorships are proving to be a game-changer 

While securing earned speaking opportunities for executives has always been a primary focus, the landscape has changed. Paid sponsorships — though a considerable investment — now offer increased value, providing editorial engagement and coverage, customer prospecting, digital and social content, and brand visibility among key stakeholders.

Next steps: Align marketing and corporate communications strategies to maximize impact and leverage paid opportunities effectively.

The full C-suite bench is getting involved

The entire C-suite (CEO, CFO, COO, CIO, CCO, etc.) is becoming more active event participants — many through dedicated media-led communities. Leaders are utilizing stage time, media interactions, and networking to enhance their organization and personal visibility. They’re also using these groups to learn and engage with their peers on the biggest challenges they face.

Embrace the power of small gatherings

Hosting your own event may seem daunting, but small, intimate gatherings are thriving this year. These events allow for meaningful connections and deeper engagement without the need for extensive resources. Smaller gatherings also reflect shifting attendee preferences for more personalized, impactful opportunities as people become more selective about where they allocate their time.

Next steps: Consider leveraging your network and/or partnering with a media outlet to host a small-scale event that aligns with your strategic goals and resources.

In-person vs. virtual: The conference debate

In-person meetings remain the preferred choice for professionals, even in an AI-driven world, but virtual conferences are proving to be effective for fostering formal interactions and collaborations.

The big picture: 60% of conference organizers expect in-person attendance to increase in 2025, according to Convene.

• Virtual conferences offer unique advantages, such as convenience and broader reach, which are increasingly being recognized by professionals.

What’s next: As the landscape continues to evolve, organizations should strategically leverage both formats to maximize engagement and collaboration opportunities.

Mastering media engagement at events

Engaging with media on-site at events requires strategic planning. Identify key journalists in advance, prepare clear messaging, and designate spokespeople. Offer exclusive insights, facilitate interviews, and provide media-friendly materials to maximize coverage.

Next steps: Follow up post-event and leverage social media to highlight coverage.

Which event is right for you?

A great event may meet a single set of criteria — like getting in front of high-value clients. Or, it can serve multiple purposes, from engaging media about your strategic vision to rolling out a new product. Even if an event only helps a brand do one thing really well — it’s worth considering. 

Each event should also be considered in the context of the overarching strategic plan. What does a business and leader want to accomplish over the next year? Or, the next three years? If the event is likely to get a team closer to goal, that’s a positive sign.

Particularly within exclusive, C-suite events there is an increasing return over time as executives (and the top-tier journalists that follow these leaders and their companies) are in the same places, engaging in conversations on the issues they collectively care about.

This element can be harder to measure initially, but over time can often equate to increased inbound speaking opportunities — deepened relationships with organizers, increased media opportunities, brand recognition and affinity and so much more.

Next steps: Do the research to know where peers, clients, and customers are engaging. Consider if more touch points in those places is important, or if there are other opportunities to break out and distinguish a leader or company. Work across Marketing, Events, Communications, and other teams to recognize the true value that a successful event can bring. Create measurable goals and track progress over the long-term.

We regularly partner with clients to navigate where to make investments, how to best engage with organizers, and the steps needed to ensure a great event. If you would like to learn more about how Global Gateway Advisors can navigate the 2025-2026 events season, please reach out to info@gga.nyc.

Anchor events for 2025 executive participation

Top-tier Media Events 

• Semafor World Economy Summit (April 23-25, Washington, DC) Against the backdrop of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund Meetings, Semafor brings together preeminent figures and power brokers across the global economy, including co-chairs David Rubenstein, Ken Griffin, Penny Pritzker, and Henry Kravis to discuss the state of the global economic landscape.
• Milken Institute Global Conference (May 4-7, Los Angeles)
  The 28th annual Global Conference gathers the world’s brightest minds to address urgent challenges and unlock opportunities in health, finance, business, technology, philanthropy, and society, aiming to find solutions for a sustainable, equitable, and resilient future.
• Fortune Brainstorm AI London (May 6-7, London) Fortune Brainstorm AI gathers technologists, entrepreneurs, Fortune Global 500 executives, investors, policymakers, and leading experts to explore the most pressing questions about AI. The event focuses on the business community’s shift from planning for AI to actively implementing it.
• Financial Times  Pharma and Biotech Summit (May 15, New York City)
  Organized by FT Live and Endpoints News, the event brings together top executives, investors, and experts to discuss the future of life sciences, AI-driven innovation, and workforce transformation.
• Fortune’s Workplace Innovation Summit (May 19-20, Dana Point, CA) HR and executive leaders from Fortune 500 companies, startups, investment firms, government, academia, and culture-making sectors will convene to discuss the future of work. Highlighted topics include AI and HR tech, company culture, upskilling and reskilling in an AI-driven world, and diversity and inclusion. Indeed is the founding partner.
• WSJ Future of Everything (May 28-29, New York City) The Wall Street Journal’s largest live event unites major newsmakers from across the Journal’s key areas — business, tech, economics, sports, streaming, and style — to explore the future through their unique perspectives and address today’s most pressing questions.
• Axios AI+ Summit: NY (June 4, New York City) Examine the forces driving the global race to dominate AI, the current landscape of enterprise AI, and how industries such as finance, healthcare, and media are grappling with rapid changes as a result.
• Bloomberg Tech (June 4-5, San Francisco) Senior Executive Editor Tom Giles and Bloomberg Originals Host and Executive Producer Emily Chang bring together CEOs, tech visionaries, and industry icons to discuss AI, advanced robotics, quantum computing, and the increase in state-sponsored cyber attacks.
• Fortune’s COO Summit (June 9-10, Scottsdale) Highlighting operational excellence in an age of AI, this summit will cover topics such as optimizing talent, C-suite relationship management, and industry deep dives. The event promises high-level networking, engaging hands-on workshops, and expert-driven thought leadership.
• WSJ CEO Council Summit (June 10-11, London) Amid rising nationalism, geopolitical threats, and growing tariffs and protectionism, the Wall Street Journal CEO Council will convene to discuss ‘The New Era of Globalization.’
• Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity (June 16-20, Cannes) The advertising and communications industry comes together to showcase top work from around the world, creating a space for insights from influential thought leaders, ideas from innovative companies, inspiration from all corners of the creative marketing community, and global networking.
• Aspen Ideas Festival (June 25-July 1, Aspen) Explore critical issues and uncover awe-inspiring ideas through panels, interviews, lectures, and interactive sessions that address topics shaping the AI revolution, business and the economy, the role of art in our lives, geopolitics, sports, leadership, and more.
• Fortune Brainstorm Tech (Sept. 8-10, Park City) Leading thinkers gather to discuss the role of technology in society and tackle the most pressing problems at the intersections of Silicon Valley, Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood. This year’s topics include the next chapter for cryptocurrency and the resurrection of fintech; rising privacy and cybersecurity risks; AI and hyper automation in the workplace; and collaborations in aerospace and defense tech, among others. Qualtrics is an event sponsor.
• Fast Company Innovation Festival (Sept. 15-18, New York City) Thousands of makers and innovators from across the globe — exceptional leaders and doers shaping the future — will gather for four days of inspired conversation, purposeful networking, and meaningful takeaways.
• The Atlantic Festival (Sept. 18-20, New York City) Expect discussions with leading thinkers and cultural icons, exclusive book readings, film screenings, and performances. 

Global Gatherings 

• World Bank Group/International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings (April 21-26, Washington, D.C.) Global central bankers, finance ministers, private sector leaders, and other stakeholders convene to discuss global economic policy issues.
  
• World Health Assembly (WHA) (May 19-27, Geneva, Switzerland) Delegates from WHO member states gather to review global health polices, agendas, and budgets for the upcoming year.
  
• 2025 G7 Summit (June 15-17, Alberta, Canada) Meeting of heads of state and government of G7 member countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States, and the European Union.
  
• 2025 NATO Summit (June 24-26, The Hague, Netherlands) Heads of state and government, and ministers of defense from NATO member states gather to discuss threats facing the bloc and defense preparedness. Alongside the NATO Summit, the NATO Public Forum will bring together 500 politicians, experts, journalists, and young people for discussions and events over two days.
  
• BRICS Summit (July 6-7, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) Leaders from BRICS member states gather to discuss global south cooperation.
  
• UN General Assembly (UNGA 80) (Sept. 9-23, New York City) High-level gathering of all UN member states to debate topics of international importance and deliver addresses to delegates.
  
• APEC CEO Summit (Oct. 28-31, Gyeongju, South Korea) Annual summit of business, finance, and government leaders from Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation member economies.
  
• Future Investment Initiative 9th Edition (Oct. 27-30, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Annual gathering of global policymakers, heads of business, and finance leaders organized by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
  
• United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30) (Nov. 10-21, Belém, Brazil) Annual summit of parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to assess progress on and establish new benchmarks for combatting climate change.
  
• Financial Times Global Pharma and Biotech Summit (Nov. 11-12, London)
  This annual event delves into the latest trends in life sciences, featuring industry leaders discussing advancements in drug discovery, clinical trials, market access, and patient engagement, all within a rapidly changing landscape shaped by technological breakthroughs and regulatory challenges.
• 2025 G20 Summit (Nov. 22-23, Johannesburg, South Africa) Leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies convene to address global economic and policy challenges.

Media updates

What we’re reading and watching:

• The Signal saga. Cabinet officials and senior White House staff members added Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic to a Signal chat where they discussed details about an upcoming attack in Yemen. The Wall Street Journal reported that downloads of the encrypted messaging app “are double what they were last week.”
• CNBC adds new international shows, including “U.S. Markets Edition,” which will highlight key insights from the network’s U.S. programming to a global audience, along with Asia-focused “The China Connection” and “Inside India.”
• Alex Konrad launches new media brand. The former Forbes senior editor debuted Upstart Media earlier this week, which focuses on in-depth coverage of the startup ecosystem, and the opportunities and challenges they face. For now, expect a twice-weekly newsletter on Substack, with video interviews, a podcast, and events to come.
• Yahoo sells TechCrunch to investment firm. The 20-year-old tech journalism site was sold by Yahoo to Regent, a media investment firm that recently acquired Foundry, the parent company of several online tech publications.
• Megyn Kelly introduces podcast network. MK Media will launch in April, with journalist Mark Halperin, columnist Maureen Callahan, and influencer and political commentator Link Lauren as some of the first hosts.
• Ziff Davis acquires TheSkimm. The newsletter, notable for its highly engaged millennial female audience, has been acquired by Ziff Davis. It will be part of Everyday Health Group, Ziff Davis’ health content arm.

Media moves:

• • Former Axios business reporter Hope King launched Macro Talk, a LinkedIn and YouTube-based media brand focused on content for workers worried about their jobs and industries. See her first few episodes here.
  • Melia Russell is launching a new beat at Business Insider, exploring how AI is transforming legal and professional services

• The Wall Street Journal announced a slew of new editors: Kate Linebaugh as corporate editor, Vanessa Fuhrmans as life & work bureau chief, Wilson Rothman as deputy tech & media editor, Colin Barr as breaking-news editor for BFE, and Lauren Pollock as energy editor.

• Ben Fritz, formerly The Wall Street Journal’s artificial intelligence editor, is now covering the entertainment industry for the publication.
• Frederic Lardinois, senior enterprise editor at TechCrunch, leaves to join The New Stack as senior editor for artificial intelligence.
• MarketWatch hires Laila Maidan as tech and investing reporter.
• Business Insider senior features reporter Anna Silman is leaving to freelance. 
• Tim Baysinger, who has been covering media deals at Axios, is leaving.
• Emma Goldberg pivots to the New York Times Styles Desk after reporting on workplace culture. She will focus on illuminating how people live, work, create and consume culture. 
• The Information hired Evan Robinson-Johnson to cover Tesla, SpaceX, and other businesses run by Elon Musk.
• CNN hired Andrew Kirell as a senior media editor.
• The Wall Street Journal reporter Aaron Tilley is returning to The Information to cover Apple.
• Sarah Owermohle joined CNN to cover health policy and politics.