Every destination organization is powered by a network of interconnected systems—people, finances, technology, processes and decision-making. When one system breaks down, the effects ripple across the entire organization.

Using a relatable DMO scenario, this fast-paced opening session introduces the concept of operational systems thinking and demonstrates how unclear ownership, disconnected workflows and competing priorities create hidden costs, frustration and inefficiency. Participants will leave with a simple framework for diagnosing where systems break down and a shared foundation that will carry into the three interactive labs.

People are at the center of every operational system. When priorities compete, communication breaks down or change is poorly managed, organizations experience burnout, disengagement and reduced performance.

In this interactive lab, participants will apply the mainstage systems framework to workforce challenges. Together, they'll identify where the human system is breaking down and develop practical strategies to improve communication, clarify priorities and build organizational capacity without overwhelming staff.

Every strategic initiative competes for limited resources. Too often, organizations budget for the idea without budgeting for the work required to successfully implement it.

Participants will use the systems framework introduced in the mainstage to evaluate how financial decisions support—or unintentionally constrain—organizational success. Through practical exercises, they'll learn how to develop business cases that account for staffing, technology, implementation, maintenance and long-term sustainability.

Great organizations don't happen by accident—they are intentionally designed. Every policy, process, workflow and decision either reduces friction or creates it.

This lab explores the operational systems that connect every department, making it the ideal space for professionals in business operations, administration, legal, executive offices, project management and anyone responsible for improving how work gets done across the organization.

Participants will map a real organizational process, identify breakdowns in ownership, communication and decision-making, and redesign the workflow using practical tools they can immediately apply back at their destination organization.

Every organization has projects that stall because ownership is unclear or too many people are involved. In this facilitated workshop, participants will work through real DMO scenarios to clarify decision rights, define roles and identify where handoffs create delays. Rather than introducing another project management tool, this session focuses on practical techniques for improving accountability and helping work move more efficiently across departments.

An annual audit shouldn't begin when the auditors arrive. It should be a year-round operational practice. This practical session demystifies the audit process for Business Operations professionals, especially those without an accounting background. Attendees will learn what auditors are looking for, the documentation and internal controls that matter most, common audit findings, how HR and IT contribute to audit readiness, and simple habits that reduce risk and make audit season far less stressful. Whether you oversee finance or simply support it, you'll leave with a clearer understanding of your role in keeping your organization audit ready.

Everyone has data, but very few organizations know how to communicate it effectively. This session explores how destination organizations can identify the metrics that matter, create meaningful dashboards and turn business intelligence into clear, actionable insights. Attendees will learn practical approaches for using data to support strategic planning, communicate with leadership and boards, measure organizational performance and drive smarter operational decisions.

Some of the best ideas at the summit won't come from the stage—they'll come from the people in the room. In this fast-paced, audience-driven session, attendees are invited to step up to the mic and share one process, template, checklist, workflow, dashboard, policy or tool that has made a meaningful impact in their organization. Each participant will have just a few minutes to explain what it is, why it works and how others can adapt it. The session will be captured and curated into a post-event 2026 Business Operations Playbook, giving every attendee a practical collection of real-world resources and ideas to take home.

Most destination organizations are not overwhelmed simply because they have too much work. They are carrying layers of hidden work that quietly consume time, attention and capacity without creating meaningful value. In this opening session, attendees will explore the three sources of hidden work: the work organizations create through unnecessary processes and approvals, the work they accept through expanding responsibilities and scope creep, and the work they inherit through outdated technology, policies and organizational structures. Participants will leave with a new lens for evaluating their own organization and a framework for identifying where hidden work is slowing them down before diving deeper into one of three focused breakout sessions.

Many organizations unintentionally create work through extra approvals, duplicate reporting, recurring meetings and processes that have become more complicated over time. In this interactive session, participants will examine how operational complexity develops, learn practical strategies for simplifying workflows and identify opportunities to eliminate unnecessary steps without sacrificing accountability. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where process friction exists in their own organization and a practical approach for making work simpler, faster and easier to manage.

The biggest threat to organizational capacity often isn't the work we intentionally choose, but the responsibilities that quietly accumulate over time. This session explores how destination organizations can recognize scope creep, evaluate competing priorities and create better decision-making practices around new requests and ongoing commitments. Participants will learn strategies for protecting organizational capacity, setting clearer expectations and ensuring that time and resources remain focused on the work that delivers the greatest value.

Every organization inherits systems, policies, technologies and ways of working that were designed for a different time. While many continue simply because "that's how we've always done it," they often create unnecessary barriers to efficiency and innovation. In this session, participants will learn how to identify legacy practices that no longer serve their organization, evaluate where modernization will have the greatest impact and develop a practical approach for updating systems and structures without overwhelming their teams. The focus is not on adopting the newest technology, but on thoughtfully challenging assumptions and creating operational systems that are built for today's realities.

Whether you're implementing new technology, restructuring a team, introducing a new policy or changing the way work gets done, success depends on more than a good plan. It depends on people. This session explores practical strategies for leading organizational change, building trust, communicating with transparency and helping teams navigate uncertainty without creating change fatigue or burnout. Attendees will learn approaches for gaining buy-in, overcoming resistance and turning organizational change into lasting progress.

Technology decisions are no longer just IT decisions. They impact every department, every workflow and every employee. This session explores how destination organizations can move beyond reacting to immediate needs and instead build a thoughtful technology roadmap that aligns with organizational goals. Participants will learn practical strategies for evaluating new tools, prioritizing investments, managing vendors, establishing governance and preparing their organization for emerging technologies, including AI.

Every destination organization has experienced it: a project that stalled, a technology implementation that missed the mark, or an initiative that struggled because departments weren't aligned. In this candid panel, leaders will share real stories of when collaboration broke down, what they learned along the way and how they rebuilt trust, clarified roles and strengthened partnerships across their organizations. Through honest conversation and practical lessons, attendees will gain actionable ideas for improving cross-functional collaboration and leading more connected organizations.

Technology, data and AI are evolving faster than many organizations’ policies and decision-making structures. As destination organizations adopt new platforms, automate workflows and expand their use of data and AI, Business Operations leaders are increasingly responsible for answering difficult questions: Who owns these tools? Who can access the data? What requires approval? Where does risk sit? And how do we encourage innovation without sacrificing accountability?

This session explores practical approaches to technology, data and AI governance that help organizations establish clear ownership, decision rights, policies and guardrails. Attendees will learn how to create enough structure to manage risk, privacy and responsible use without creating so much process that innovation stalls.

Budget pressure and staffing constraints are reshaping how destination organizations operate. In this candid panel discussion, leaders from finance, people operations and executive leadership will share how they're making difficult decisions, prioritizing investments, managing workforce challenges and communicating tradeoffs across their organizations. Rather than focusing on budget mechanics, the conversation will explore the leadership decisions required to sustain momentum when resources are limited.

An Audience-Driven Conversation on the Evolving Role of Business Operations: There is no script, no prepared remarks and no advance list of questions. Throughout the summit, attendees will submit the questions they've always wanted to ask experienced Business Operations leaders about career growth, strategic influence and the evolving role of BizOps. During this candid closing conversation, the panel will answer those questions live for the first time, sharing honest perspectives on building credibility, influencing executive decision-making, navigating career growth, partnering with CEOs and boards, and earning a seat at the table. The result is an authentic conversation shaped entirely by the audience and the real challenges they're facing.