“The things we do to ourselves and the things we let others do to us”

Ken Musgrave

Fireside Chat

with Phil Duncan

Fireside Chat

with Phil Gilbert

“The Future Of… with future leaders” 

A panel moderated by Phil Gilbert

“This IS Actually Our First Rodeo” 

A panel of first-time CDOs

“SO Many Rodeos

A panel of multi-time Heads of Design share how to inspire & engage leadership

“Setting a Design BUSINESS vision”

“So you can design & create “stuff”. What else do you need to know to lead?”

“The business imperative”

A fireside chat with CEOs about Design, and related things

“Are you a catalyst for growth, or just moving pixels & decorating artifacts?”

"How do you spell “AI”, and how might we get started?” moving beyond individuals writing prompts to broader, systemic leverage of AI

“Design + Innovation + Experiences + Impact”

“Design Leadership ah-ha’s, oh-no’s, & so-what’s?”

“Building an impenetrable IP fortress, and other considerations and implications in an AI world”

Stephen Baird (one of the nation’s leading IP attorneys)

“Designing in the Answer Economy:  Why Brands Lost Curiosity - and AI Found It”

Pete Blackshaw

MAY 11

Sponsored & hosted by Design B&B

Monday May 11, 2026

MAY 12

DAY ONE

AI, Leadership, and the New Design Reality

Tuesday, May 12 2026

MAY 13

DAY TWO

Impact, Influence, and What Comes Next

Wednesday, May 13 2026

V. Collective Rooftop
833 W. Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60607

Venue West Chicago
221 N Paulina Street
Chicago IL, 60612

CitizenM
80 E Wacker Pl

Chicago, IL 60601