Monday, November 3
Join us for a pre-event welcome drink at: Bar Sol Mariscos, Navy Pier.
Grab your badge, register with ease, and mingle with fellow attendees before day one officially begins. It’s your first chance to connect, unwind, and set the tone for an epic conference ahead. First round’s on us — see you there!
Thanks to our Drinks Sponsors:
Tuesday, November 4
Day 1
Day 1 – Main Stage
Jamie Martino, SVP Strategic Sourcing, IT Diversity
Day 1 – Main Stage
A rapid-fire look at what’s shaping today’s enterprise tech landscape—vendor tactics, supplier consolidation, software renewals, and the AI-outsourcing storm ahead. Backed by new benchmark data, we’ll uncover surprising truths and give you the intel to stay one step ahead
Jon Winsett, CEO, NPI
Day 1 – Main Stage
Technology has accelerated at a remarkable pace over the last two years, with generative AI reshaping how organisations work. For procurement, the role is to guide the business in understanding, governing and capturing value. We’ll explore where Gen-AI delivers impact today, then look five years ahead to world models, quantum and other frontier technologies
Bob Booth, Founder AI Ethicals & Hailion AI
Day 1 – Main Stage
Dr. Elouise Epstein, Digital Futurist & Partner, Kearney
Day 1 – Lakeview Terrace
+Sponsor Demos on Expo Floor
Get up close with the latest innovations from our event sponsors! On the Expo Floor you can join live, hands-on demos, and have peer group conversations with the teams behind the tools shaping the future of procurement. Whether you’re scouting new solutions or just curious, it’s your chance to explore, ask questions, and see cutting-edge tech in action.
Day 1 – Main Stage
Susan Patrick Harris, VP Procurement, R1 RCM
Day 1 – Main Stage
Recently, Global Procurement Executives have raised the creation of a competitive advantage to a Top 10 priority in Hackett’s 2025 Procurement Key Issues study. This marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time in nearly twenty years that this focus has been featured so prominently in the study. So, Why now? The decision to prioritize competitive advantage at this time prompts important questions: Why is this happening now, and what factors have driven this shift? Understanding the underlying reasons will provide insight into the current landscape of procurement and its evolving role within organizations. This fire-side chat will explore the strategies and approaches procurement leaders are considering to create and sustain competitive advantage. Join us for a fire-side chat on these issues with:
Chris Sawchuk, Principal and Global Procurement Advisory Practice Leader, The Hackett Group
Binh Tran, CPO, Walgreens
Scott Weiner, AI Lead, CTO, NeuEon
Day 1 – Ballroom
Day 1 – Masterclass Breakout
Dr. Elouise Epstein, Partney, Kearney
(Limited capacity, pre-booking required.)
Day 1 – Lakeview Terrace
Day 1 – Meeting Rooms 1-7
Benjamin Front, Head of Strategic Sourcing, Alliant Credit Union
Carlton Johnson, Sr. Client Executive - Managed Services & Cloud Solutions, Xerox
Lihi Lutan, CEO & Co-Founder, Opstream
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Turn mega vendors into true partners
Break down the proven tactics and smart strategies that top negotiators use to shift the balance of power. Whether you’re working with tech giants, global service providers, or entrenched legacy vendors, uncover how to move beyond transactional deals and build real partnerships that drive results.
“Tricks of the trade” — from pre-negotiation intelligence to creative deal structuring — that help procurement leaders get more value, more flexibility, and more collaboration.
Maximizing Legacy Enterprise Relationships: How to extract maximum value from existing large-scale relationships (e.g., with Workday or Salesforce) and manage challenging renewals, emphasizing a total cost of ownership mindset.
Jon Winsett, CEO, NPI
Charlotte De Brabandt, Co-Chair, ISM Thought Leadership Council
Kim Master, Sr Manager, Tech Sourcing & Operations, Netflix
Sanyam Khurana, Director, Indirect Procurement, Cineplex
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As SaaS adoption accelerates, procurement teams are under pressure to manage a growing portfolio of cloud-based solutions—each with unique pricing models, data security implications, and vendor lock-in risks. This session tackles the latest challenges in SaaS procurement, including shadow IT, unpredictable renewal terms, evolving data privacy regulations, and the difficulty of measuring ROI. Attendees will gain practical strategies for negotiating scalable contracts, enforcing usage governance, aligning with IT and legal teams, and building flexible procurement frameworks that keep up with rapid SaaS innovation
Leah Davis, Associate Director Client Technology Sourcing, EY
Mike Rossi, Director of Procurement, HUB International
Host: Megan Brooks, Senior Sourcing Manager - IT, Enterprise, & Corporate Tech, SiriusXM
Brian Weinblatt, VP Internal Solutions, Movable Ink
How Tech Procurement is Driving Revenue, Innovation & Strategic Value
Technology procurement is no longer just about cutting costs — it’s about creating value. In an era of digital acceleration, IT procurement leaders are uniquely positioned to influence innovation, supplier-driven growth, and top-line revenue.
In this session, we’ll explore how forward-thinking procurement teams are flipping the script: transforming from reactive spend managers to proactive growth enablers. Learn how to identify revenue-aligned opportunities, drive supplier innovation, and position your function as a true strategic asset to the business.
Cassye Cook Provost, CPO
Rachel Pinto, Active Campaign
Aleck Matambo, CAIO, BHAG Advisory
Host: David Johnson, Procurement Executive, former News Corp
Defining the tools and technology you need to set up the program, and the people you need behind the tools
Syed Naqvi, Procurement Analytics & Data Leader
Insights From the Coalface: Transforming a Procurement Function
Ryan Bradford, VP & Head of Procurement, CCM
Winning in a Crowded Market: How Procurement Startups Can Refine Their Story and Amplify Their Voice
SELL-SIDE ONLY
The procurement tech market is noisier than ever. Agentic AI startups are appearing almost weekly, while adoption cycles are compressing — meaning enterprise buyers expect credibility, integration, and outcomes much earlier.
For founders, that creates a GTM challenge:
This 45-minute working session brings together 6–8 founders in an intimate discussion to share what’s working, what isn’t, and how to stand out. Together we’ll explore how startups can connect with buyer priorities, avoid common GTM traps, and build momentum in a crowded, fast-moving space.
Constantine Limberakis, Founder & President
Bill DeMartino, Strategic Advisor, Liberis Consulting
Day 1 – Meeting Rooms 1-7
How to manage stakeholders who see you as a bottleneck
Share insights on how to sharpen your influence, align procurement goals with corporate strategy, and leverage other better resourced teams within the organization for maximum value. Find winning ways to position procurement as the go-to driver for innovation and growth.
Freya Hurwitz, Director of Procurement, Tripadvisor
Megan Brooks, Senior Sourcing Manager - IT, Enterprise, & Corporate Tech, SiriusXM
Karen Hodson, Global Procurement & Real Estate Officer, Marigold
Host: Karthik Rama, CEO & Consultant, Procurement Doctors
Procurement technology projects often fail not because of the tools themselves, but because of how humans interact with them. User experience (UX) is the hidden lever of digital transformation—shaping adoption, compliance, and ultimately ROI. In this session, we’ll explore what it really means to design procurement systems with the human piece at the center. You’ll gain practical strategies for aligning digital tools with user needs, balancing automation with empathy, and ensuring that transformation initiatives drive both efficiency and satisfaction.
Sheri Spinks, Procurement & Supply Chain Executive
Join this interactive peer forum to explore how agentic AI and procurement orchestration are reshaping enterprise operations. Hear real-world customer stories and uncover practical guidance on:
Greg Goelkel, Director of PreSales, ORO Labs

Ariella Lachman, Senior Procurement Manager, JFrog
Eric Edwards, Sr Director, IT Sourcing, Vizient
Hannah Lazar, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Procurement, OnePay
Host: Amanda Prochaska, Chief Wonder Officer, Wonder Services
Procurement at the Core of Cybersecurity & Privacy: From Policy to Practice
As data breaches and cyber threats grow more sophisticated, procurement is on the front line of protecting organizational data. Join this session to explore how procurement is embedding data privacy and cybersecurity requirements into supplier selection, contracting, and vendor management processes. Benchmark how teams are operationalizing privacy policies, conducting due diligence on third-party vendors, and using contract clauses to enforce compliance with security standards. Real-world examples will highlight how procurement is collaborating with IT, legal, and risk teams to assess supplier risk, ensure secure data handling, and respond proactively to emerging threats.
Host: Michele Malenfant, Sr Procurement Manager, Coveo
David Johnson, Procurement Executive, former News Corp
Geoff Saccoccia, Director, Healthcare Operations, Enterprise Procurement, Centene
John Hendley, VP DivisionHex, Coalfire
What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Use It
Agentic AI is redefining how systems make decisions and take action. But what does it really mean for you? Come equipped with your questions at this back-to-basics learning session, designed for anyone looking to understand the core concepts, practical applications, and real-world potential of Agentic AI. From foundational principles to deployment tips, you’ll gain the clarity and confidence needed to explore how Agentic AI can drive autonomy, productivity, and innovation in procurement.
Erwann Couesbot, Co-Founder & CEO, FlipThrough
Doug Shannon, Global Intelligent Automation & GenAI Leader
Host: David Schultz, CPO & CSCO, Public and Private Equity Portfolio Companies
How to? Advanced strategies your peers are utilizing today
Explore proven strategies for reducing vendor costs through smarter procurement planning, supplier consolidation, and value-based negotiations. Gain insights into optimizing contract terms, leveraging volume commitments, streamlining sourcing processes, and aligning internal demand to reduce fragmentation. The session will also address methods for identifying cost-saving opportunities across the vendor lifecycle—from onboarding to performance management. Gain actionable approaches to drive sustainable savings while maintaining supplier quality and value.
Aashish Patel, Global Technology Procurement Director (Head), Grant Thornton International
Syed Naqvi, Head of Procurement & Data Analytics
Danielle Salyers, 2nd Vice President, Strategic Sourcing, Allied Solutions
Francisco Reyes, Sr Director, Procurement, Outlook
Host: Michael Keller, Director of Procurement, Vertice
Day 1 – Lakeview Terrace
+Sponsor Demos on Expo Floor

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Day 1 – Main Stage
Zip’s inaugural State of Spend is the industry’s first comprehensive survey of over 1,000 global leaders across procurement, finance, IT, and legal. In this session, Zip’s Head of Research will unpack key findings from the report in conversation with Katie Sharma, Head of Sourcing at Coinbase. Together, they’ll explore what the data reveals about procurement & sourcing’s next chapter: how AI is reshaping strategy, what skills and teams will matter most, and why yesterday’s playbook won’t work in an agentic, orchestrated future. Expect a candid discussion that connects today’s trends to tomorrow’s realities.
Katie Sharma, Director Global Sourcing, Coinbase
Nick Heinzmann, Head of Research, Zip

Day 1 – Main Stage
How supply chain transparency is changing the chessboard for business and governments.
Justin Dillon, Founder/CEO, FRDM AI
Day 1 – Main Stage
Everyone’s asking: what will procurement and contracting jobs look like in the age of AI? This discussion will go beyond the usual platitudes about learning the tools and not falling behind. We’ll talk about the weaknesses of AI for contracting and procurement and the implications for our work and employment prospects. And we’ll talk about the advantages those tools bring. We’ll look at jobs and tasks likely to be eliminated and speculate about those likely to be created or enhanced. Please bring your ideas and concerns because this will be an energetic, participatory discussion.
David Tollen, Founder, Tech Contracts Academy
Day 1 – Main Stage
Jon Winsett, CEO, NPI
Day 1 – Lakeview Terrace
Wednesday November 5
Day 2 – Lakeview Terrace
Day 2
Recap of key learnings from day one and what’s coming up on day two
Summit Chair: Jon Winsett, CEO, NPI
Day 2 – Main Stage
Danielle Salyers, 2nd VP Strategic Sourcing, Allied Solutions
Eric Schoonveld, VP of IT, Allied Solutions
Host: Paul Nilsen, Pack Leader of Procurement Pack & Director of Procurement, Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Day 2 – Main Stage
Fast-paced interviews tackling rapid transformation. Hosted by Jamie Martino, SVP, IT Diversity and Host of Talking Tech Sourcing
Hannah Lazar, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Procurement, OnePay
Transforming Sourcing in Australasia with Lean-Agile Procurement and AI as a Service –
Sarah Blackie, CEO & Founder, Esby & Co.
Day 2
+Sponsor Demos on Expo Floor

Day 1 – Main Stage
Doug Shannon, Global Intelligent Automation & GenAI Leader
Day 2
In an era where procurement is transforming into a strategic value driver and profit center powered by cutting-edge technology, the challenge isn’t whether to implement AI – it’s how to do it rapidly, effectively, and sustainably. Most AI initiatives fail not due to technology limitations, but because organizations lack a structured methodology that balances speed with strategic depth.
Amanda will unveil the evolved 5 D methodology that’s revolutionizing how organizations approach AI implementation in procurement. Building on proven change management principles, this project-based framework enables procurement leaders to deliver measurable AI value within 12-16 weeks while building organizational capabilities for future innovation.
Amanda Prochaska, Chief Wonder Officer, Wonder Services
Day 2 – Main Stage
For years, supplier intelligence was a nice-to-have – a secret edge for advanced procurement teams. But today, it’s become table stakes for any organization that wants to negotiate effectively, manage renewals strategically, and elevate procurement’s influence across the business.
“Free” price benchmarks are no longer cutting it, you need the full recipe for success. Find out how the most impactful procurement teams are driving results by utilizing supplier insights – knowing exactly when to engage, how to negotiate, and where they hold the most leverage.
We’ll share real-world stories of how top procurement teams have turned routine SaaS purchases and renewals into game-changing wins using supplier intelligence.
Michael Shields, VP of Procurement, Tropic
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Day 2
Join Talking Tech Sourcing Host, Jamie Martino for a live version of Talking Tech Sourcing. Joined on stage by David Quillen of Vividseats, Ariella Lachmann, JFrog and Dominic Battiston from InfuSystem, Jamie will bring to life in real-time the true value of the monthly collaborations which happen at TTS. If you’re already signed up – fabulous! If not, witness first-hand the value you can gain from participating in virtual monthly TTS calls with your peers.
Day 2
Day 2 – Meeting Rooms 1-7
Strong supplier relationships are built through intentional engagement, transparency, and collaboration. Come equipped to discuss real scenarios on how to co-create value with suppliers . How to improve communication and trust with suppliers. Navigate challenging relationships. Tips on how peers are engaging strategic vs. tactical suppliers differently to drive innovation, reliability, and mutual growth, and how to build supplier engagement frameworks that align with organizational goals.
Host: Susan Patrick Harris, VP Procurement, R1 RCM
Dominic Battiston, Sr Director Procurement, InfuSystem
Craig Smith, Principal Advisory Director, Info-Tech Research Group
Trace Lewis-Yarborough, Global Procurement Technology, former Transamerica
What does procurement need to do to build comprehensive governance frameworks? How do we measure and mitigate risk across all of our AI solutions?
Host: Bob Booth, Founder, AI Ethicals
Ben Mappen, Founder, Teem
Scott Weiner, AI Lead, CTO, NeuEon
This interactive brainstorming session opens the floor to swap stories, tools, and tactics on how your peers are actually using AI day to day. From automating the boring stuff to sparking strategic insights, we’ll explore what’s working, what’s hype, and whether the output is really worth the spend. Bring your wins, your questions, and your favorite AI hacks — we’re keeping it practical, honest, and hands-on.
What efficiencies are you gaining, what are you improving process wide -
Buying AI Tools – Are You Asking the Right Questions?
Demystifying the multiple commercial models of AI tools
How to evaluate vendors – checklist of the right questions to ask
What about buying AI tools for the business – not just within procurement, what are the pain points and how to overcome?
Host: Paul Nilsen, Director of Procurement, Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Scott Carter, Technology Sourcing Strategist, Netflix
Aleck Matambo, CAIO, BHAG Advisory
Kristina Mutic, Founder & Global IT Strategist, KM Procurement Services
Join Spend Matters’ lead intake & orchestration analyst to hear his unique perspective on the market from his regular product demonstrations and advisory sessions with market leaders, upstarts, as well as procurement organizations that are buying the software. Nikhil will provide an in-depth view into the growth of the market and how its lesser known dynamics are critical to its future.
Nikhil Gaur, Director, Strategic Projects & Research Analyst, Spend Matters
Procurement of AI raises unique contracting issues. This workshop looks at those issues and explains the new terms they require. Topics covered include:
David Tollen, Founder, Tech Contracts Academy
Day 2 – Main Stage
Constantine Limberakis, Founder and President, Liberis Consulting
Greg Stoller, Sr. Director, Procurement Technology, Walgreens
David Schultz, CPO & CSCO, Public and Private Equity Portfolio Companies
Josh Wilson, Supply Chain Risk Director, Jabil
Host: Cassye Cook Provost, Fractional CPO
Day 2 – Ballroom
Day 2 – Main Stage
Summit Chair: Jon Winsett, CEO, NPI
"It was an awesome gathering. Never been around so many IT Procurement Professionals from the buy side that shared best practices."
"What a great opportunity to meet, engage, and learn both from and with Procurement colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds!"
"An exceptionally valuable event; speakers and breakout sessions were exceptional and the hallway conversations alone were worth multiples of the cost."
"It was an amazing conference and I’ve already been able to successfully put some of the negotiation tips and tricks into use. Thank you!"
"The concentration of specialized expertise and experience was overwhelming, so much to learn from those in the room. I can’t wait to dive in again next year!"