Ascend Engage, our premier annual leadership development and networking conference, connects talented business professionals across the career lifecycle—offering your organization a powerful platform to elevate its brand, empower emerging leaders, and engage in high-impact learning and mentorship.

Ascend Engage

Become a Sponsor

3+

Jam-Packed
Days & Nights

250+

Companies Represented

2.5k+

Professional Attendees

100+

Hours of Curated
Programming

Conference Details

July 20-22, 2026

Bellagio Hotel | Las Vegas, NV

For more than 20 years, Ascend has advanced leaders, strengthened workplaces, and built powerful communities across industries. That legacy comes to life at Ascend Engage—our premier annual leadership development conference and the largest gathering of our vibrant network.

This year, we move Forward with Purpose.

In a time of rapid transformation, purpose is what fuels progress. Ascend Engage convenes talented professionals, community partners, and allies for a dynamic, multi-day experience designed to spark bold thinking and meaningful impact. Through inspiring keynotes and breakout sessions, actionable leadership insights, curated networking and mentoring opportunities, and intentional wellness experiences, you’ll gain the clarity, connections, and strategies to help shape the future of business—and our communities. We can’t wait to see you there.

Our breadth of programming combines opportunities for focused peer-to-peer interaction and broader cross-generational networking, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

Why should I attend?

Download our editable template to support your business case to attend Ascend Engage.

Premier Keynote Talks

Hear from industry leaders on relevant topics covering workplace issues, such as Mental Health, Allyship, Women’s Leadership, and Intersectionality.
Functional Learning Tracks

Connect with others at your career level in breakout sessions covering topics from leadership advancement to well-being and breaking barriers at work.
Interactive Mentoring Sessions

Early- to mid-career professionals have the opportunity to engage directly with senior leaders in roundtable discussions.
Exclusive Curated Forums

Intimate invite-only sessions designed for executives to engage with industry experts on cutting-edge topics.

Aspiring CXO Academy (ACA)

An exclusive program open to all senior executives to develop and strengthen the skills needed for their next CXO role.

Learn More

Ascend’s Got Talent (AGT)

Our highly anticipated annual talent showcase, Ascend's Got Talent, brings cultural performances from members across the network to the Ascend Engage stage.

Highlights

New & Enhanced Activations

Exclusive Pre-Engage Orientation & Welcome for registered partners & participants
- July 9, 2026 | 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM ET | Virtual
Board Games to Boardroom
- Featuring a blend of rich traditions of classic board and card games with leadership, strategy, interpersonal skill development and community building.
Wellness Lounge
Ascend's Got Talent (AGT)
Live broadcast of API Futures Podcast
Ascend Cares spotlights
Ascend Level Up group mentoring
Celebration of Ascend graduates (Ascend Executive Academy, Women of Ascend) and student scholars

Travel

Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for Ascend.

Please click here to book your flights.

You may also call Conferences and Events® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST) and refer to Meeting Event Code: NY4J5

Eligible airports: LAS
Eligible dates: July 13 - July 28, 2026

*Please note there is no service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via the reservation 800 number.

Lodging

Bellagio Hotel | Las Vegas, NV

Book your room here.* For questions, reach out to hotel@ascendleadership.org.

*Subject to availability. Please check with employer prior to booking to avoid duplicate bookings or cancellation fees if they are managing a group sub-block.