The UWEBC Executive Summit offers senior leaders a focused opportunity to step away from day-to-day demands and engage in forward-looking conversations about the issues shaping business, leadership, technology, and organizational performance.
Designed for executives and senior decision-makers, this high-impact afternoon will explore timely challenges and emerging opportunities through practical insight, strategic discussion, and peer connection. Attendees will leave with fresh perspective, relevant ideas, and renewed clarity for leading their organizations through change.
Event Details
- Date: Monday, October 5, 1:00–4:30pm CST
- Location: Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr, Madison, WI
- Cost: $295
This event is offered as an add-on to our Annual Conference. If you are interested in attending the Summit but cannot make it to the Conference, contact us for alternate registration options.
Who should attend
This summit is designed for senior leaders and executives with budgetary authority and strategic oversight within their organizations. Ideal participants include C-Suite, Vice Presidents, Directors of major business units, or individuals who are accountable for driving transformation, enabling innovation, and shaping organizational direction.
These leaders are responsible for navigating their companies through complex and rapidly evolving landscapes. They are seeking new ways to unleash the full potential of their teams, lead with clarity amid volatility, and create adaptive systems that go beyond conventional strategic planning.
Participants should be:
- Decision-makers and change agents, responsible for aligning resources and talent with organizational goals.
- Forward-thinking and curious, open to exploring how emerging technologies like AI can enhance human potential.
- Invested in leadership development, both for themselves and their teams, to foster cultures of resilience, innovation, and adaptability.
- Eager to challenge the status quo, moving away from traditional, hierarchical strategy models toward more human-centered, agile approaches that deliver real-world impact.
Whether leading enterprise-wide transformation, scaling innovation, or stewarding high-performance cultures, this summit is for executives who want to not only keep up—but get ahead.
UWEBC Executive Reception
Monday, October 5, 2026 | 5:30–7:30 PM | Monona Terrace, Madison, WI
The UWEBC Executive Reception brings together senior leaders, conference speakers, Advisory Board members, Steering Committee members, and UW–Madison leadership for an evening of connection and conversation before the Annual Conference begins.
This invitation-only gathering offers a relaxed setting to build relationships, exchange ideas, and set the tone for the conference experience ahead. Attendees can expect meaningful networking, executive-level insight, and the opportunity to connect with peers and thought leaders from across the UWEBC community.
Executive Conversation Hosts
John Stofflet
Journalist, Annual Conference Master of Ceremonies
John Stofflet is a celebrated journalist and master storyteller with a career spanning 40 countries and all seven continents. With 25 Regional Emmy Awards and deep roots in Wisconsin, John has interviewed everyone from President Barack Obama to Hollywood icons like Julia Roberts and Robin Williams. A proud UW–Madison alumnus, he brings his signature blend of curiosity, warmth, and global insight to this year’s Executive Reception. He also serves his community through board roles with the Badger Childhood Cancer Network and the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin.
Doug Barton
UWEBC Director, Reception Host and Executive Conversation Contributor
As Director of the UW E-Business Consortium, Doug Barton leads one of the nation’s foremost university-industry partnerships, engaging over 80 companies across sectors in shared learning, innovation, and strategic growth. Doug brings decades of experience from a career in industry and global speaking experiences on AI, entrepreneurship, and innovation. His role at UWEBC includes guiding the Advisory Board, spearheading member strategy, and ensuring the organization’s impact aligns with the Wisconsin Idea. Doug holds an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and a BBA from UW–Madison’s Wisconsin School of Business.
What to Expect:
- A private, informal setting to engage with peers and thought leaders in the Monona Terrace’s Community Terrace space
- Early insights into Tuesday’s keynote themes and a glimpse into the future of our enterprises and lives
- Hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, and panoramic views of Lake Monona and Downtown Madison
Attire: Business casual
Audience: By invitation only – open to senior executives, conference speakers, Advisory Board members, and university leadership. Anyone attending the Executive Summit is also welcome to attend the Reception.