GRIT Chicago 2026
Turning Intelligence into Confident Action
Join us September 1 to 3, 2026
GRIT: Growth, Risk, Impact, and Transformation
Storytellers > Presenters = A Breakthrough Format in a Cosmopolitan Setting
Over the past 30 years the hosts of GRIT Chicago 2026 have produced, sponsored or presented at hundreds of intelligence-related business meetings in dozens of countries worldwide. Some were great, while others… not so much.
We’ve made a singular commitment to everyone attending GRIT: you won’t be bored with another theoretical framework masquerading as real-life experience. Our promise is the no-holds-barred ups and downs of leaders who’ve been in the trenches personally.
What sets a great meeting apart from mediocrity are real-world stories told by the executives who helped their enterprises survive, thrive and outperform their peers. The all-storyteller format for GRIT will guarantee you’ll have concrete, relatable lessons conveyed by experienced, savvy professionals.
You’ll hear every twist and turn navigating their organization through the perils of strategic growth, risk, impact and transformation from the people who took responsibility and did the work. And we think you’ll also make lifelong friends with some of the most interesting people we can introduce you to.
Our bottom-line promise: you’ll be thrilled with the people, place and activities we’ve so meticulously curated to provide the most educational and entertaining lessons on applying strategic intelligence to business success.
Why should you attend GRIT 2026:
Zero Selling, 100% Learning: This is a vendor-free zone. Even the three hosting solution providers are showing up as practitioners, not promoters. No pitches. No booths. Just open, practitioner-to-practitioner learning, collaboration, and idea exchange.
No Gimmicks. Just Substance. Focus on high-value ideas, not trends for trend’s sake or overhyped AI tech.
Insight: Go beyond data to explore how intelligence can influence enterprise-level strategic decision-making.
Peer-to-Peer Exchanges: Deep, meaningful discussions, roundtables, and working sessions.
Strategic Connection: Engage with fellow leaders shaping the future of CI and strategy.
Practical Application: Learn proven methods, frameworks, and case studies to apply immediately.
Thought Leadership: Hear from global experts on the cutting edge of strategic intelligence.
Innovation in Practice: Experience emerging tech and strategic tools that help enable the role and impact of strategic intelligence.
Over the past 30 years the hosts of GRIT Chicago 2026 have produced, sponsored or presented at hundreds of intelligence-related business meetings in dozens of countries worldwide. Some were great, while others… not so much.
We’ve made a singular commitment to everyone attending GRIT: you won’t be bored with another theoretical framework masquerading as real-life experience. Our promise is the no-holds-barred ups and downs of leaders who’ve been in the trenches personally.
What sets a great meeting apart from mediocrity are real-world stories told by the executives who helped their enterprises survive, thrive and outperform their peers. The all-storyteller format for GRIT will guarantee you’ll have concrete, relatable lessons conveyed by experienced, savvy professionals.
You’ll hear every twist and turn navigating their organization through the perils of strategic growth, risk, impact and transformation from the people who took responsibility and did the work. And we think you’ll also make lifelong friends with some of the most interesting people we can introduce you to.
Our bottom-line promise: you’ll be thrilled with the people, place and activities we’ve so meticulously curated to provide the most educational and entertaining lessons on applying strategic intelligence to business success.
Why should you attend GRIT 2026:
Zero Selling, 100% Learning: This is a vendor-free zone. Even the three hosting solution providers are showing up as practitioners, not promoters. No pitches. No booths. Just open, practitioner-to-practitioner learning, collaboration, and idea exchange.
No Gimmicks. Just Substance. Focus on high-value ideas, not trends for trend’s sake or overhyped AI tech.
Insight: Go beyond data to explore how intelligence can influence enterprise-level strategic decision-making.
Peer-to-Peer Exchanges: Deep, meaningful discussions, roundtables, and working sessions.
Strategic Connection: Engage with fellow leaders shaping the future of CI and strategy.
Practical Application: Learn proven methods, frameworks, and case studies to apply immediately.
Thought Leadership: Hear from global experts on the cutting edge of strategic intelligence.
Innovation in Practice: Experience emerging tech and strategic tools that help enable the role and impact of strategic intelligence.
Location
Date & Time
September 1, 2026, 4:00 PM to September 3, 2026, 1:00 PM
RECOMMENDED HOTELS:
COMING SOON!
COMING SOON!
Schedule
4:00 PM
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
8:00 aM -
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Theme Focus: Turning Intelligence into Confident Action
8:00 - 9:00 AM: Welcome Breakfast & Registration
9:00 - 9:15 AM: Opening Remarks
David Kalinowski - Proactive Worldwide
Why strategic intelligence has become a leadership discipline/capability, not a support function.
9:15 - 10:00 AM: Opening Keynote: "From Insight to Impact: How Intelligence Informed Navy Pier’s $400M Strategic Transformation"
Marilynn Gardner, President & CEO - NAVY PIER
Transforming an iconic destination is not just about bold vision. It is about making the right decisions when the stakes are high and the path forward is uncertain. In this keynote, Marilynn Gardner shares the story behind Navy Pier’s $400M strategic transformation and how market and customer intelligence helped turn ambition into action. Through real-world moments of choice, trade-offs, and alignment, she reveals how insight became a catalyst for confidence, clarity, and momentum. This session will inspire leaders to rethink how intelligence is used, not as a report or an input, but as a powerful force for shaping strategy, aligning stakeholders, and driving lasting impact.
10:00 - 10:30 AM: Networking Break & Snack
10:30 - 11:00 AM: “When Strategy Was Still a Hypothesis”
Acting on incomplete intelligence when the window is closing.
11:00 - 11:45 AM: “When Risk Knocked on the Boardroom Door”
A real-world account of anticipating regulatory, geopolitical, or market disruption before it hits the P&L.
11:45 - 12:15 PM: “The CEO Brief That Changed the Decision”
How intelligence influenced a high-stakes executive decision under extreme time pressure.
12:15 - 1:30 PM: Lunch, Networking, & River Roast Patio Experience
1:30 - 2:15 PM: “How We Actually Use AI in Strategic Intelligence”
Ian Worden, Chief Executive Officer - CULINARY DIGITAL
A practitioner story on deploying AI and GenAI. What worked, what failed, and what executives now trust.
2:15 - 3:00 PM: “Embedding Intelligence Where Strategy Happens”
How one organization moved intelligence from daily tactical to influencing strategic innovation conversations.
3:00 - 3:30 PM: Networking Break & Snack
Facilitated peer conversations across industries.
3:30 - 4:15 PM: Closing Keynote: "Bringing Clarity from Chaos: Strategy in an Age of Disruption"
Scott Leeb, Chief Knowledge Officer - FRAGOMEN
In a world defined by geopolitical uncertainty, technological acceleration and economic instability, strategy professionals are challenged not just to anticipate disruption, but to design frameworks to help organizations survive and thrive within it. Mr. Leeb will call on examples from his 30+ years’ experience in the government, corporate and non-profit space to examine how organizations can future-proof their success with a foresight-driven strategy that turns volatility into opportunity and equips leaders to anticipate and prepare for diverse future scenarios.
4:15 - 4:30 PM: Day 1 Closing Reflections
Derek Johnson - Aurora WDC
4:30 - 7:00 PM: Evening Reception, Dinner, & Social Networking (RIVER ROAST)
9:00 - 9:15 AM: Opening Remarks
David Kalinowski - Proactive Worldwide
Why strategic intelligence has become a leadership discipline/capability, not a support function.
9:15 - 10:00 AM: Opening Keynote: "From Insight to Impact: How Intelligence Informed Navy Pier’s $400M Strategic Transformation"
Marilynn Gardner, President & CEO - NAVY PIER
Transforming an iconic destination is not just about bold vision. It is about making the right decisions when the stakes are high and the path forward is uncertain. In this keynote, Marilynn Gardner shares the story behind Navy Pier’s $400M strategic transformation and how market and customer intelligence helped turn ambition into action. Through real-world moments of choice, trade-offs, and alignment, she reveals how insight became a catalyst for confidence, clarity, and momentum. This session will inspire leaders to rethink how intelligence is used, not as a report or an input, but as a powerful force for shaping strategy, aligning stakeholders, and driving lasting impact.
10:00 - 10:30 AM: Networking Break & Snack
10:30 - 11:00 AM: “When Strategy Was Still a Hypothesis”
Acting on incomplete intelligence when the window is closing.
11:00 - 11:45 AM: “When Risk Knocked on the Boardroom Door”
A real-world account of anticipating regulatory, geopolitical, or market disruption before it hits the P&L.
11:45 - 12:15 PM: “The CEO Brief That Changed the Decision”
How intelligence influenced a high-stakes executive decision under extreme time pressure.
12:15 - 1:30 PM: Lunch, Networking, & River Roast Patio Experience
1:30 - 2:15 PM: “How We Actually Use AI in Strategic Intelligence”
Ian Worden, Chief Executive Officer - CULINARY DIGITAL
A practitioner story on deploying AI and GenAI. What worked, what failed, and what executives now trust.
2:15 - 3:00 PM: “Embedding Intelligence Where Strategy Happens”
How one organization moved intelligence from daily tactical to influencing strategic innovation conversations.
3:00 - 3:30 PM: Networking Break & Snack
Facilitated peer conversations across industries.
3:30 - 4:15 PM: Closing Keynote: "Bringing Clarity from Chaos: Strategy in an Age of Disruption"
Scott Leeb, Chief Knowledge Officer - FRAGOMEN
In a world defined by geopolitical uncertainty, technological acceleration and economic instability, strategy professionals are challenged not just to anticipate disruption, but to design frameworks to help organizations survive and thrive within it. Mr. Leeb will call on examples from his 30+ years’ experience in the government, corporate and non-profit space to examine how organizations can future-proof their success with a foresight-driven strategy that turns volatility into opportunity and equips leaders to anticipate and prepare for diverse future scenarios.
4:15 - 4:30 PM: Day 1 Closing Reflections
Derek Johnson - Aurora WDC
4:30 - 7:00 PM: Evening Reception, Dinner, & Social Networking (RIVER ROAST)
8:00 aM -
1:00 PM
1:00 PM
Thursday, September 3, 2026
8:00 - 9:00 AM: Breakfast & Morning Peer Conversations
9:00 - 9:15 AM: Welcome Back & Day 2 Kick-off
Christian Bjerser - Comintelli
9:15 - 9:45 AM: Opening Keynote: “When Leaders Choose Not to Know”
A candid leadership story about the hidden risks of ignored signals, uncomfortable truths, and how the most damaging decisions are often made not from lack of intelligence, but from the refusal to confront it.
9:45 - 10:15 AM: “Human Judgment in the Age of AI”
Zena Applebaum, SVP Market Development - HARBOR GLOBAL (invited)
Where accountability, intuition, and leadership still matter most.
10:15 - 10:45 AM: Networking Break & Snack
10:45 - 12:15 PM: Interactive Roundtable Discussions
Five tables moderated by the three organizers:
- Where AI Helps and Where Humans Prevail
- Earning the Right to Influence Leadership Decisions
- Managing Stakeholder Expectations
- Demonstrating the Value of CI
- Balancing When Speed and Rigor Collide
12:15 - 12:45 PM: Closing Fireside Discussion: "Vision 2030 – The Seat at the Table"
David Kalinowski, Derek Johnson, Christian Bjerser - moderated by Jesper Martell
How intelligence leaders earn trust, shape decisions, and stay relevant through 2030:
As organizations face greater uncertainty, faster cycles, and higher stakes, the role of intelligence is evolving — but not automatically. In this closing fireside conversation, senior leaders reflect on what truly differentiates intelligence teams that influence decisions from those that remain peripheral.
The discussion will explore how credibility is earned, how trust is built at the top, and how intelligence leaders must evolve their mindset, skills, and positioning to remain essential through 2030 and beyond. This is not a conversation about tools or trends, it is about leadership, judgment, and relevance when it matters most.
12:45 - 1:00 PM: Closing Reflections & Conference Adjournment
Arik Johnson - Aurora WDC
9:00 - 9:15 AM: Welcome Back & Day 2 Kick-off
Christian Bjerser - Comintelli
9:15 - 9:45 AM: Opening Keynote: “When Leaders Choose Not to Know”
A candid leadership story about the hidden risks of ignored signals, uncomfortable truths, and how the most damaging decisions are often made not from lack of intelligence, but from the refusal to confront it.
9:45 - 10:15 AM: “Human Judgment in the Age of AI”
Zena Applebaum, SVP Market Development - HARBOR GLOBAL (invited)
Where accountability, intuition, and leadership still matter most.
10:15 - 10:45 AM: Networking Break & Snack
10:45 - 12:15 PM: Interactive Roundtable Discussions
Five tables moderated by the three organizers:
- Where AI Helps and Where Humans Prevail
- Earning the Right to Influence Leadership Decisions
- Managing Stakeholder Expectations
- Demonstrating the Value of CI
- Balancing When Speed and Rigor Collide
12:15 - 12:45 PM: Closing Fireside Discussion: "Vision 2030 – The Seat at the Table"
David Kalinowski, Derek Johnson, Christian Bjerser - moderated by Jesper Martell
How intelligence leaders earn trust, shape decisions, and stay relevant through 2030:
As organizations face greater uncertainty, faster cycles, and higher stakes, the role of intelligence is evolving — but not automatically. In this closing fireside conversation, senior leaders reflect on what truly differentiates intelligence teams that influence decisions from those that remain peripheral.
The discussion will explore how credibility is earned, how trust is built at the top, and how intelligence leaders must evolve their mindset, skills, and positioning to remain essential through 2030 and beyond. This is not a conversation about tools or trends, it is about leadership, judgment, and relevance when it matters most.
12:45 - 1:00 PM: Closing Reflections & Conference Adjournment
Arik Johnson - Aurora WDC
Meet the Storytellers
The GRIT Chicago partners are curating an exclusive lineup of storytellers to share their experiences and expertise from careers spent in growth, risk, impact and transformation for the world’s most innovative and competitive enterprises. This cadre of professionals are the ones you can aspire to land among as they share the unvarnished ups and downs of navigating a macro-environment fraught with accelerating change. You’ll walk away friends and maybe even find a mentor to help guide you on your path alongside them.
Stay tuned for more storytellers being added in the coming days and weeks!
Stay tuned for more storytellers being added in the coming days and weeks!
Marilynn Gardner
NAVY PIER
Marilynn Gardner is President and CEO of Navy Pier, where she oversees the operations, programming, and long-term vision of the Midwest’s most visited destination, welcoming more than 8 million guests annually. A lifelong Chicagoan, Gardner has spent more than three decades at Navy Pier, advancing through multiple leadership roles before becoming its first CEO in 2011. She played a central role in the Pier’s $400 million redevelopment and led its transition into an independent, non-governmental nonprofit organization.
Ian Worden
Culinary digital
Ian Worden is Chief Executive Officer at Culinary Digital, where the company delivers modern SaaS solutions for institutional foodservice, helping operators run smarter, control costs, and achieve consistent performance across complex, multi-site operations. He is a technology executive with over two decades of experience leading SaaS and platform businesses to convert complexity into durable competitive advantage.
Scott Leeb
FRAGOMEN
Scott Leeb is currently the Chief Knowledge Officer at Fragomen, a leading global immigration and mobility solutions provider. Over the past 30 years, Scott has created, managed and grown the global business intelligence/knowledge management programs at four Fortune 500 companies, including Prudential, McGraw-Hill, KPMG and The Rockefeller Foundation. In addition, he has advised the Saudi Arabian and US federal governments on how to build and sustain their knowledge capabilities.
Zena Applebaum
HARBOR GLOBAL
[INVITED]
[INVITED]
Zena Applebaum is Senior Vice President of Market Development at Harbor Global, where she leads Harbor's market development planning process, partnering with leadership from Delivery and Go-to-Market to optimize plans and execute to drive growth in target markets, customer segments, and geographic regions. Prior to joining Harbor, she spent several years at both Thomson Reuters and Bennett Jones in senior leadership capacities.
Tim Calkins
Northwestern university
[INVITED]
[INVITED]
Tim Calkins is an award-winning marketing professor who serves as Clinical Professor of Marketing and Associate Chair of the Marketing Department at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, where he teaches marketing strategy and branding. A former Kraft Foods marketing executive, he is the author of several books and is an expert on brand strategy and competitive positioning. He holds an MBA from Harvard University.
Meet your Hosts
The hosts of GRIT represent the three leading firms in the strategic, market, and competitive intelligence field. We are all excited to welcome you to Chicago for this inaugural GRIT conference and sincerely appreciate you making this event a priority in your busy schedules.
David Kalinowski
proactive worldwide
President and Co-founder of Proactive Worldwide, Inc.
Jesper Martell
comintelli
CEO and co-founder of Comintelli.
Christian Bjerser
Comintelli
SVP, Strategic Business Development of Comintelli.
Arik Johnson
aurora wdc
Founder and Chairman of Aurora WDC.
Derek Johnson
aurora wdc
Chief Executive Officer of Aurora WDC.
Join us on September 1-3, 2026
We look forward to helping you add GRIT to your intelligence toolbox!
GRIT Chicago 2026 - Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS GRIT CHICAGO 2026?
GRIT stands for Growth, Risk, Impact, and Transformation — and this event is a practitioner-only forum for corporate professionals in competitive intelligence, strategy, product marketing, innovation, risk, and transformation.
It’s designed to help you sharpen your thinking, expand your network, and learn from peers who’ve been in the trenches.
No vendors. No sponsors. No fluff. Just real conversations and meaningful insights.
GRIT stands for Growth, Risk, Impact, and Transformation — and this event is a practitioner-only forum for corporate professionals in competitive intelligence, strategy, product marketing, innovation, risk, and transformation.
It’s designed to help you sharpen your thinking, expand your network, and learn from peers who’ve been in the trenches.
No vendors. No sponsors. No fluff. Just real conversations and meaningful insights.
WHO IS HOSTING THIS EVENT?
GRIT Chicago 2026 is proudly co-hosted by three leading organizations in the competitive and strategic intelligence space:
Aurora WDC – Experts in helping businesses uncover insights that drive smarter decisions in competitive and market dynamics.
Comintelli – A technology company providing award-winning intelligence software that helps organizations manage and make sense of market and competitive data.
Proactive Worldwide – A global research and consulting firm known for helping companies navigate uncertainty with intelligence-led strategy.
Together, we’ve designed GRIT as a vendor-free, practitioner-first event to foster real conversations, bold thinking, and actionable learning.
GRIT Chicago 2026 is proudly co-hosted by three leading organizations in the competitive and strategic intelligence space:
Aurora WDC – Experts in helping businesses uncover insights that drive smarter decisions in competitive and market dynamics.
Comintelli – A technology company providing award-winning intelligence software that helps organizations manage and make sense of market and competitive data.
Proactive Worldwide – A global research and consulting firm known for helping companies navigate uncertainty with intelligence-led strategy.
Together, we’ve designed GRIT as a vendor-free, practitioner-first event to foster real conversations, bold thinking, and actionable learning.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND GRIT?
GRIT is built exclusively for brand-side corporate professionals working in roles such as:
- Competitive Intelligence / Market Intelligence
- Corporate Strategy
- Innovation or Transformation
- Risk Management
- Product Marketing or Strategic Marketing
- Market Research or Insights
We intentionally keep it vendor-free so that everyone in the room speaks the same language and faces similar challenges.
GRIT is built exclusively for brand-side corporate professionals working in roles such as:
- Competitive Intelligence / Market Intelligence
- Corporate Strategy
- Innovation or Transformation
- Risk Management
- Product Marketing or Strategic Marketing
- Market Research or Insights
We intentionally keep it vendor-free so that everyone in the room speaks the same language and faces similar challenges.
IS THIS EVENT OPEN TO CONSULTANTS, VENDORS, OR SOLUTION PROVIDERS?
In short: No.
GRIT is a practitioners-only event. That means no consultants, agencies, or sales reps. If you’re not embedded inside a company making decisions and influencing outcomes, this event isn’t the right fit.
Even the three host companies are not there to pitch their services!
In short: No.
GRIT is a practitioners-only event. That means no consultants, agencies, or sales reps. If you’re not embedded inside a company making decisions and influencing outcomes, this event isn’t the right fit.
Even the three host companies are not there to pitch their services!
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE EVENT?
September 1–3, 2026
RIVER ROAST, situated on the Chicago river with stunning views of Chicago's downtown skyline
- Day 1 kicks off with a fun (optional) networking event
- Day 2 is a full-day session in a single-track format, so no missed moments or FOMO
- Day 3 is a half day session, allowing you time to get home for dinner if you’re locally based or catch a flight back in the afternoon.
September 1–3, 2026
RIVER ROAST, situated on the Chicago river with stunning views of Chicago's downtown skyline
- Day 1 kicks off with a fun (optional) networking event
- Day 2 is a full-day session in a single-track format, so no missed moments or FOMO
- Day 3 is a half day session, allowing you time to get home for dinner if you’re locally based or catch a flight back in the afternoon.
WHAT'S INCLUDED WITH REGISTRATION?
Your ticket includes:
- Access to all sessions and discussions
- Sept 2: Breakfast, lunch, refreshments during the event, and evening reception with cocktails and plated dinner
- Sept 3: Breakfast and late-morning snacks
- A powerful, practitioner-only network that extends beyond the event
Your ticket includes:
- Access to all sessions and discussions
- Sept 2: Breakfast, lunch, refreshments during the event, and evening reception with cocktails and plated dinner
- Sept 3: Breakfast and late-morning snacks
- A powerful, practitioner-only network that extends beyond the event
WHAT'S THE EVENT FORMAT LIKE?
GRIT is not a vendor expo or passive lecture series.
It’s a curated experience of TED-style talks, panel conversations, and interactive sessions—designed for small-group sharing, candid insights, and peer learning.
We limit the event to 100 attendees so it stays intimate and impactful.
GRIT is not a vendor expo or passive lecture series.
It’s a curated experience of TED-style talks, panel conversations, and interactive sessions—designed for small-group sharing, candid insights, and peer learning.
We limit the event to 100 attendees so it stays intimate and impactful.
WHAT'S THE ROI FOR ATTENDING?
Attendees walk away with:
- Strategies and actions they can apply immediately
- Stories of wins (and fails) from peers in similar roles
- A network of trusted practitioners across industries
- Greater confidence when interacting with senior leadership
- Clarity on how to align intelligence work with growth, innovation, and risk planning
Attendees walk away with:
- Strategies and actions they can apply immediately
- Stories of wins (and fails) from peers in similar roles
- A network of trusted practitioners across industries
- Greater confidence when interacting with senior leadership
- Clarity on how to align intelligence work with growth, innovation, and risk planning
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
GRIT is designed to be affordable and accessible, especially compared to larger, sponsor-driven events.
- Pricing: $895 early-access fee (EARLY-ACCESS ENDS APRIL 30, 2026) / $1,295 starting May 1, 2026
- Flyover Chicago Event (optional Tuesday evening fun event): $50
Need some financial help: Contact any of the host companies to request a discount code!
GRIT is designed to be affordable and accessible, especially compared to larger, sponsor-driven events.
- Pricing: $895 early-access fee (EARLY-ACCESS ENDS APRIL 30, 2026) / $1,295 starting May 1, 2026
- Flyover Chicago Event (optional Tuesday evening fun event): $50
Need some financial help: Contact any of the host companies to request a discount code!
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
There are several hotels within walking distance of River Roast. Stay tuned - those suggestions will be added soon!
We don’t have an official room block. This gives you flexibility and choice based on your budget and preferences.
If you’re local, you can choose to rest in the comfort of our own bed.
There are several hotels within walking distance of River Roast. Stay tuned - those suggestions will be added soon!
We don’t have an official room block. This gives you flexibility and choice based on your budget and preferences.
If you’re local, you can choose to rest in the comfort of our own bed.
WHAT'S THE DRESS CODE?
Think business casual with personality. We’re a no-pretenses kind of group. Bring your brain, not your blazer.
Think business casual with personality. We’re a no-pretenses kind of group. Bring your brain, not your blazer.
WHAT IF I HAVE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS OR ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS?
We’ve got you covered. You’ll be asked to note any dietary or accessibility accommodations upon arrival (if not before), and our team will make sure you’re well taken care of.
We’ve got you covered. You’ll be asked to note any dietary or accessibility accommodations upon arrival (if not before), and our team will make sure you’re well taken care of.
HOW DO I REGISTER?
On this site!
Remember: Only 100 seats are available, and we expect to sell out. Don’t wait!
On this site!
Remember: Only 100 seats are available, and we expect to sell out. Don’t wait!