Agenda: 2018 Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala

Day 1: Pre-Conference Activities and Welcome Reception

7:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Inc. 5000 Golf Tournament

Start off the Inc. 5000 Conference in full swing with an exciting golf tournament at the TPC San Antonio. Play with colleagues or join forces with fellow Inc. 5000 honorees.

Host: Rich Russey, vice president and publisher, Inc.

Plus special appearance from Robert Trent Jones, Jr., chairman and master architect, Robert Trent Jones II LLC

8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Registration Open

Pick up your badge, grab a coffee, and prepare for a day of learning, networking, and celebration.

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Inc. EDU Courses I and II

In these hyper-focused interactive courses, led by expert industry leaders, you'll learn how to take your business to the next level. Sessions run concurrently. A light breakfast is included.

Inc. EDU Course I: Peak Performance: How to Drive Accountability and Align Decision-Making
Session Leader: James D. Murphy, founder and CEO, Afterburner; and author, Flawless Execution

Inc. EDU Course II: Leadership Insights: How You Should Make Choices and Manage Change
Session Leader: Noam Wasserman, professor of clinical entrepreneurship, University of Southern California; director, Founder Central Initiative; and author, The Founder's Dilemmas and Life Is a Startup

11:45 AM - 3:00 PM

Inc. Day of Service: Military Entrepreneurs Mentoring Fair

Presented by Chase for Business
Speakers: Norm Brodsky, founder, CitiStorage; partner, Black Gold Suites; co-author, Street Smarts; and columnist, Inc.; and James D. Murphy, founder and CEO, Afterburner; and author, Flawless Execution
Welcome Remarks: Eric Schurenberg, CEO, Inc. and Fast Company

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Inc. EDU Courses III and IV

In these hyper-focused interactive courses, led by expert industry leaders, you'll learn how to take your business to the next level. Sessions run concurrently. A light lunch is included.

Inc. EDU Course III: People and Profits—How to Go Beyond Open-Book Management
Session Leader: Steve Baker, vice president, The Great Game of Business; and author, It's Money It's People It's Both

Inc. EDU Course IV: Family Affair: How to Build a Business That Lasts for Generations

Session Leaders: Devin Bird, principle, BanyanGlobal; and Omar Romman, partner, BanyanGlobal

4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Inc. 5000 Kickoff Networking Meetup

Meet and mingle with fellow Inc. 5000 honorees and attendees.

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Inc. Marketplace Open

Explore the marketplace.

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Official Conference Kick-Off Welcome Reception

Opening night is all about breaking the ice. Grab a cocktail and a few appetizers and mingle with the leaders of the most dynamic companies in America.

Day 2: Sessions, Happy Hour, and Official Conference Party

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Morning Workout Activity

Start off your day with a morning workout with fellow Inc. 5000 honorees and attendees.
Powered by Club Pilates

8:00 AM -4:00 PM

Registration Open

Pick up your badge, grab a coffee, and prepare for a day of learning, networking, and celebration.

8:55 AM - 9:00 AM

Welcome From the CEO

Remarks: Eric Schurenberg, CEO, Mansueto Ventures

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Mainstage: The Future of You: How to Be Better (and Happier) Than Before

Speaker: Gretchen Rubin, author, The Happiness Project, Happier at Home, Better Than Before, and The Four Tendencies

9:35 AM - 10:25 AM

Mainstage: Build the Business (and Life) You Want

Speaker: Bert Jacobs, co-founder and chief executive optimist, Life is Good; and author, Life is Good: The Book

10:25 AM - 10:50 AM

Networking Break in the Inc. Marketplace

Meet your fellow attendees and check out the Inc. Marketplace.

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Mainstage: Private Titan: Lessons From the Founder of $600 Million Marketing Empire Mailchimp

Speaker: Ben Chestnut, co-founder and CEO, Mailchimp

Interviewer: Eric Schurenberg, CEO, Mansueto Ventures

11:35 AM - 12:05 PM

Mainstage: Never Say Never: How I Sold My Company for a Billion and Got It Back For Free

Speaker: Cindy Eckert, founder, Sprout Pharmaceuticals; and founder, The Pink Ceiling

Interviewer: Kimberly Weisul, editor-at-large, Inc.

12:05 PM - 1:15 PM

Mainstage: Dare to Lead

Speaker: Dr. Brené Brown, LMSW; research professor, University of Houston; and author, Daring Greatly, Rising Strong, and Dare to Lead

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Networking Lunch in the Inc. Marketplace

Grab lunch and mingle with your peers, colleagues, and fellow attendees.

1:45 PM - 2:15 PM

Book Giveaway in the Inc. Marketplace

(Free while supplies last)

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM

Sessions-in-the-Rounds

Thought leader-led conversations tackling timely issues and challenges.

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM

Breakout Sessions

Interactive workshops and panel sessions designed to challenge your thinking and generate new ideas.

Breakout sessions include:

What It Really Takes: Inside the Mind of the Entrepreneur
Speakers: Liz Abrams, co-founder and CEO, Abrams Realty; Dan Giuliani, co-founder and CEO, Volt Athletics; and adjunct professor of sport performance, University of Washington; and Felicite Moorman, co-founder and CEO, STRATIS
Moderator: Jon Fine, executive director, editorial, Inc.

Life is Good—Lessons Learned From 25 Years of Good Growth
Speakers: Bert Jacobs, co-founder and CEO, Life is Good; and Lisa Tanzer, president, Life is Good
Moderator: Tom Foster, editor-at-large, Inc.

Ask Norm Brodsky Anything: Inc. 5000 Edition
Session Leader: Norm Brodsky, founder, CitiStorage; partner, Black Gold Suites; co-author, Street Smarts; and columnist, Inc.

Inc. BrandView Presents: What's Your Exit Strategy?
Presented by Harris Williams
Speakers: Ross Croley, founder and executive chairman, Ministry Brands/Community Brands; and CEO, Greater Sums Ventures; Caroline Young, partner, Hammond, Kennedy, Whitney & Company; and Samuel Hendler, managing director, Technology, Media & Telecom group, Harris Williams
Moderator: Jim Schleckser, CEO, Inc. CEO Project

Inc. BrandView Presents: The Future of Work—How to Attract and Retain People
Presented by Principal
Speakers: Jon Couture, senior vice president adn chief human resources officer, Principal; Dan Price, founder adn CEO, Gravity Payments; and Michael Lastoria, co-founder, CEO, and creative director, &Pizza
Moderator: Jim Schleckser, CEO, Inc. CEO Project

Moderator: James Ledbetter, editor, Inc. and Inc.com; author, Unwarranted Influence

Peak Performance: What You Can Learn About Leadership and Longevity From an NBA Champion
Speaker: Pau Gasol, basketball player, NBA's San Antonio Spurs; co-founder, Gasol Foundation; and author, Life/Vida and Under the Hoop
Moderator: Jeff Bercovici, San Francisco bureau chief, Inc; and author, Play On

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Happy Hour in the Inc. Marketplace

Grab a drink with hundreds of your peers and colleagues. It's a fun and casual way to end the day.

4:00 PM - 4:45 PM

Meet the Speaker Book Signings

(free while supplies last)

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Dinner Recess

Take a little time to yourself to grab some dinner, recharge, and get ready for a night of celebration.

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Cocktails With the Brodskys

How to Stay Married to the Business (and Each Other)
Hosts: Elaine and Norm Brodsky, founding business partners, CitiStorage; and partners, Black Gold Suites

Special Remarks: James Ledbetter, editor, Inc. and Inc.com; and author, Unwarranted Influence

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Cocktail Reception hosted by Harris Williams

Wrap up a high-energy day with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at Crooked Branch, hosted by Harris Williams. This is your chance to recap the day's highlights and connect with other Inc. 5000 honorees. Celebrate your success with Harris Williams before the official Inc. 5000 conference party.

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Inc. 5000 Conference Party: An Evening Under the Stars—Hill Country Glamping

Presented by Chase for Business

Join fellow attendees, speakers, sponsors, and Inc. editorial staff for some well-deserved downtime. The evening will include live entertainment, cold drinks, and delicious food.

Day 3: Sessions, Cocktail Reception, and Black-Tie Gala

7:00 Am - 8:00 AM

Morning Workout Activity

Start off your day with a morning workout with fellow Inc. 5000 honorees and attendees.

Powered by Club Pilates

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Registration Opens

Pick up your badge, grab a coffee, and prepare for a day of learning, networking, and celebration.

9:00 AM

Welcome

Remarks: James Ledbetter, editor, Inc. and Inc.com; and author, Unwarranted Influence

9:05 AM - 10:35 AM

Mainstage Session: The Future of Your Business: What's Really Going on in the World Today and How to Cut Through the Noise

Speaker: Zachary Karabell, president, River Twice Research; founder and director, The Possibility Project; and author, The Leading Indicators and Sustainable Excellence

9:40 AM - 10:10 AM

Mainstage Session: The Business Builder's Guide to Conscious Finance

Speaker: Ron Shaich, managing director, Act III Holdings; and founder and chairman, Panera Bread

10:15 AM -10:35 AM

Networking Break in the Inc. Marketplace

Meet your fellow attendees and check out the Inc. Marketplace.

10:45 AM -11:15 AM

Mainstage Session: Big and Dynamic? Yes: One-on-One With a Private Titan

Speaker: Gabriel Flateman, co-founder and CTO, Casper

Interviewer: James Ledbetter, Inc. and Inc.com; author, Unwarranted Influence

11:25 AM - 11:55 AM

Mainstage Session: Making of a Mogul: How to Design a Billion-Dollar Business

Speaker: Kendra Scott, designer, founder and CEO, Kendra Scott
Interviewer: Danielle Sacks, executive editor, Inc.

12:15 PM - 1:10 PM

Mainstage Session: Stay Thirsty: How to Find Redemption, Compassion, and Your Mission

Speaker: Scott Harrison, founder and CEO, charity: water; and author, Thirst

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Networking Lunch in the Inc. Marketplace

Grab lunch and mingle with your peers, colleagues, and fellow attendees.

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Meet the Speaker Book Signing

(free while supplies last)

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM

Session-in-the-Rounds

Thought leader-led conversations tackling timely issues and challenges.

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM

Breakout Sessions

Interactive workshops and panel sessions designed to challenge your thinking and generate new ideas.

Breakout sessions include:

Second Chances: How Helping Others Helps Your Bottomline
Presented by Charles Koch Institute
Speakers: Robert Andrews, president and CEO, CommunityWorks; Genevieve Martin, executive director, Dave's Killer Bread Foundation; Andrew Medal, founder and CEO, Hooty; and Emily Hunt Turner, Esq. founder and CEO, All Square
Moderator: Maria Aspan, editor-at-large, Inc.

The Growth Dilemma: How to Find Your Financing Comfort Zone

Session Leader: Ami Kassar, founder and chief executive, MultiFunding; author, The Growth Dilemma; and columnist, Inc.com

The Future Is Now—How Technology Intersects With Everything

Presented by Lenovo
Speakers: Elizabeth Gore, co-founder, president, and chairwoman, Alice; Nancy Hua, co-founder and CEO, Apptimize; and Maria Molland, CEO, THINX
Moderator: Jeff Bercovici, San Francisco bureau chief, Inc.; and author, Play On

Pivots and Passion—How I Did It
Speakers: Renee Bemis, co-founder and CEO, Driftless Glen Distillery; Fran Dunaway, founder and CEO, TomboyX; and Zachary Quinn, co-founder and president, Love Your Melon
Moderator: Kimberly Weisul, editor-at-large, Inc.

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Inc. 5000 Cocktail Reception

Grab a drink and take some time to relax and reflect before the main event.

7:30 PM

Black-Tia Gala

It's finally time for the signature event! Here's to the Inc. 5000 honorees. Be among the best and brightest at the elegant Black-Tie Gala, where you'll be acknowledged and celebrated. Cheer on colleagues. Network with fellow honorees. Dance the night away. Festivities include a cocktail reception, dinner, and music.

Host: Joel McHale, comedian, actor, and television host