2026 Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

  • 09/15/2026
  • Live - Chicago Marriott Oak Brook
2026 Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For logo

Program Overview

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® program identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in their human resource practices and employee enrichment. Organizations are assessed based on categories such as communication, work-life balance, employee education, recognition, retention and more. All participating companies receive two robust feedback reports, resources and valuable benefits throughout the year.  The Best and Brightest is a powerful community of the nation’s elite leaders who share ideas, practices, and have proven they are employers of choice.  This designation is a great recruitment tool to attract and retain talent.

Agenda

8:00 am
Breakfast and Power Networking

8:45 am
Discussion Round Table, Built to Win: How High Performing Teams Align, Lead, and Sustain Success

Winning organizations don’t succeed by accident; they are intentionally built. This round table discussion will bring together attendees to explore how strong alignment, intentional leadership, and people first strategies create teams that consistently perform at a high level. Participants will share real world insights on building trust, engaging employees, navigating change, and sustaining momentum while leading teams to long term victory.

9:35 am
Networking Break

9:50 am
CEO Best Practices: Leading with Clarity, Agility, and Impact

Today’s CEOs are navigating constant change, balancing growth, culture, innovation, and performance while leading organizations through evolving workforce expectations and business complexity. This CEO Best Practice Panel brings together accomplished chief executives to share the leadership approaches, decision making frameworks, and strategies that are driving success within their organizations.

10:45 am
Networking Break

11:00 am
Awards Celebration

Sponsors

LRS  logo

National Premiere Sponsor

Now Health Group logo

National Premiere Sponsor

Marsh McLennan Agency logo

Gold Sponsor

Corp! Magazine logo

Media Sponsor

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