Announcing the EPN BIG Event — February 26, 2026
The Event Professionals Network’s Annual Virtual Experience
The Event Professionals Network is excited to reveal the full agenda for our biggest gathering of the year:
✨ The 2026 BIG Event
February 26, 2026 | 8:00 AM–12:15 PM PT
Live, virtual, half-day experience
The BIG Event is designed for every kind of event professional – planners, producers, event and field marketers, strategists, experience creators, and operations pros.
If you’re building events, shaping strategy, partnering cross-functionally, or navigating a rapidly evolving industry… this event was built for you.
Attend one session or all of them. Every talk is short, high-impact, and focused on giving you immediately useful tools for 2026.
The BIG Event Agenda (Sneak Peek)
Here’s your first look at what’s happening on Wednesday, February 26:
🎶 Morning Kickoff: Set the Tone
7:55–8:20 AM PT
We’ll open with DJ Graffiti, bringing the energy, creativity, and grounding vibes to get you inspired for the morning ahead.
🎤 Opening Keynote: 2026 Event Outlook
How Experience Architecture Will Redefine Impact
8:20–8:40 AM PT
Rich Bracken (Unstoppable Solutions)
A forward-focused look at how experience architecture is evolving – and what attendees will expect in 2026. You’ll explore what’s changing, what’s working, and what event teams must prioritize to stay relevant and impactful.
💡 From “Reliable” to “Effective”: Stop Being Busy, Start Driving Real Impact
8:40–9:00 AM PT
Nick Bennett (NB Marketing)
Event professionals are often drowning in tasks that don’t move the business.
This session helps you shift from reactive execution to strategic focus – so your work drives measurable outcomes that matter.
🎯 When Event Ops Meets Field Marketing: Why Event Strategists Are the Future
9:00–9:15 AM PT
Mia Masson (Independent) + Julien Bouvier (SIGHTLINE)
The line between events and marketing is gone. This session explores how operational excellence and marketing strategy are converging – and why event strategists are becoming the connective tissue that drives full-funnel results.
You’ll learn how to:
Break down silos proactively
Align more deeply with marketing and sales
Design programs that influence the full funnel
💬 EPN Zone: Highlights & Hot Takes
9:15-9:25 AM PT
A fast, fun, unscripted community-led recap of the morning’s insights – real reactions, sharp takeaways, and immediate next steps.
💻 The Latest in Event Tech
9:25-9:40 AM PT
Jonathan Kazarian (Accelevents)
A rapid-fire update on what’s new, what’s changing, and what actually matters in event technology for 2026. From registration and platforms to AI enhancements and on-site tools, learn what’s worth adopting – and what’s fading out.
🤖 AI That Works: Turning Everyday Tasks into Strategic Wins
9:40–10:00 AM PT
Anca Platon Trifan (CEO & Host, Events: Demystified Podcast)
AI should make event work smarter – not harder. Anca shares real-world examples of how teams are using AI today to plan, communicate, and report with more clarity and less chaos. Learn where AI truly saves time, how to measure impact, and what to avoid.
💬 EPN Zone: Tech Recap – Tools, Trends & Real Impact
10:00-10:10 AM PT
Jump into the EPN Zone Tech Recap — a fast, community-driven conversation highlighting the most valuable ideas in event tech and AI – and how to apply them immediately.
🧘 Wellness Reboot: Reset, Regulate, and Re-energize
10:10–10:15 AM PT
Anca Platon Trifan, CEO | Host, Events: Demystified Podcast 📍 ancaplatontrifan.me
A guided moment to regulate your nervous system, reset your energy, and re-center before the final block of sessions.
📃 Expectations of Event Leadership
10:15-10:40 AM PT
Evan Babins (Scotiabank)
Event leadership requires both strategy and soul. This session explores the balance between operational excellence and human-centered leadership – combining process, culture, trust, and emotional intelligence to deliver stronger business outcomes.
🎤 The Power of the Ask: How One Bold Question Can Change Everything
10:40–10:50 AM PT
Starr Stephenson (Deltek)
Event professionals advocate brilliantly for others – but not always for themselves.
Learn how to speak up, seek support, and ask for what you actually need to succeed.
💬 EPN Zone: Community Perspective
10:50-11:00 AM PT
Live reactions and real-world applications ideas focused on the evolving role of event strategists – and how to apply these insights today.
🎨 Designing the Theaters & Playgrounds of the Show Floor
11:00-11:15 AM PT
Amy Gattoni & Rich Rodrigues (Pinnacle Branding)
Modern exhibits aren’t booths – they’re destinations.
This session explores:
Immersive “feel something” moments
Interactive “do something” experiences
The new movement and behavior patterns shaping show floor design
Expect fresh examples, smart trends, and tactical inspiration.
🧠 Audience Design: Events Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All
11:15–11:30 AM PT
Juliette Paige (The Slowdown Summit) & Zach Reizes (The Slowdown Summit)
A tactical session on designing for neurodiversity, accessibility, learning styles, and attendee energy levels – so your events work for more brains, bodies, and behaviors.
💬 EPN Zone: Trade Show Trends & Inclusive Design
11:30-11:40 AM PT
A community-led recap focused on human-centered design, inclusive spaces, and smarter expo experiences – translated into real-world next steps.
🎙 Closing Keynote: The Planner’s Edge — Emotional Intelligence Meets Financial Strategy
11:40–12:00 PM PT
Lorrena Black (She Served LLC) & Darla Bishop (FinanSis LLC)
Explore the powerful intersection of emotional intelligence and financial planning.
Learn how top planners are using EQ + budget strategy to make smarter decisions, reduce stress, and elevate their event impact.
The perfect finale to a transformative morning.
🦄 That’s a Wrap
12:00–12:05 PM PT
Lisa Gregory and Marisa Nebosky close the morning with final insights, gratitude, and a quick look at what’s next for EPN.
🎁 Why Attend the BIG Event?
You’ll walk away with:
⭐ A clear, actionable playbook for 2026 event and experience strategy
⭐ Confidence in where to focus time, energy, and resources
⭐ Stronger collaboration across ops, marketing, and leadership
⭐ Fresh inspiration for exhibit and environment design
⭐ Practical ways to use AI – at any skill level
⭐ Community insights from a diverse group of peers who understand your challenges
⭐ Renewed clarity, momentum, and connection
All inside a short, live, virtual experience designed to support you and the many ways you show up for your team and attendees.
🤝 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
Goldcast – Virtual event platform
🎟 Register for the BIG Event
This is your chance to learn, connect, recharge, and step into 2026 with clarity and momentum.
Join us for one session or all — just don’t miss it!
👉 Register now for The BIG Event on February 26, 2026
🌟 BONUS: Don’t Miss the Leadership Summit — January 29, 2026
If you’re guiding teams, strategy, or cross-functional work, the Leadership Summit is the perfect companion event.
It features:
⭐ A 2026 leadership keynote
⭐ VISIBLE Events (burnout + identity reset)
⭐ Relationship architecture for strategic influence
⭐ Boss Talk for Event Pros
⭐ A Heads of Events leadership panel
⭐ Community-led EPN Zones & peer breakouts
Start 2026 with clarity in your leadership – and your event strategy.
👉 Register for the Leadership Summit (January 29)
(Same registration link – shared again here for convenience)
