FESTIVAL SESSIONS
Monday, September 15, 2025 | |||||||||
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9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Welcome Breakfast 2025 Drinks Included Food Included | Drinks Included, Food Included | LOCATION 7 World Trade Center | THEME Creativity | TYPE Private Event | More Info | Network with fellow honorees during a breakfast at Fast Company's headquarters. | ||
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | The Business of Beer Drinks Included | Drinks Included | LOCATION 13 E 19th St, New York, NY 10003 | THEME Entrepreneurship | TYPE Fast Track | More Info | Join Talea Beer Co. for a behind-the-scenes look at one of its breweries. Talea is revolutionizing craft beer through a female-focused brick-and-mortar strategy. As a woman-founded and operated brewery in NYC, Talea connects with a broad group of previously under-targeted customers through playful packaging, tasty beers, and award-winning, hospitality-focused taprooms. Fast Track participants will learn about Talea's past six years of growth, including breaking into major retailers like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, reaching new audiences through of-the-moment collaborations, and opening five taprooms across NYC. After a fireside chat with Talea's cofounders, guests will break into groups to taste through a portfolio of Talea beers and go on a brewery tour of Talea's production facility. | ||
4:45 PM - 6:15 PM | More Than a Desk: Lessons from the Malin on the New Era of Hybrid Work More Info | LOCATION 32 Mercer Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10013 | THEME Leadership and Inclusion | TYPE Fast Track | More Info | Join Ciarán McGuigan, founder and CEO of the Malin, alongside a Fast Company editor and forward-thinking leaders from both emerging startups and established brands, for a candid conversation on designing a return to office that people actually want. Together, they’ll explore how hospitality and workplace community can transform the office from an obligation into a magnet—and why that matters more than ever in today’s evolving work landscape. | |||
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM | Innovation by Design Honoree Reception More Info | LOCATION 7 World Trade Center | THEME | TYPE Private Event | More Info | Join us for a celebration of Fast Company's 12th annual Innovation by Design Awards honorees. | |||
Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | |||||||||
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | In a Quiet So Loud: Conquering Chaos in the Business World with Sylvain Networking Drinks Included | Networking, Drinks Included | LOCATION 176 Grand Street, 3rd Fl, New York, NY, 10013 | THEME Leadership and Inclusion | TYPE Fast Track | More Info | For leaders, there is threat in chaos. And the world right now—it’s feeling pretty chaotic. It feels safer to retreat, hide, camouflage, and remain silent to feel a sense of stability. But acting out of fear is a bad business strategy. Join CEO Joey Camire, chief strategy officer Chris Konya, partner of strategy Aaron Powers, and chief design officer Michael Ian Kaye in this session as they discuss the impact of fear on businesses today—their teams, products, policies, messaging, and marketing. Learn how they’re advising clients and the consulting industry to navigate the chaos through quiet acts of hope, courage, and resistance—and how you can apply their learnings to your own work too. The session concludes with a Q&A, open conversation, and networking with the Sylvain team. Refreshments will be provided.
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5:30 PM - 7:00 PM | Opening Night Party Drinks Included | Drinks Included | LOCATION Convene | THEME | TYPE Party | More Info | Kick off the start to Fast Company's 11th annual Innovation Festival with our opening night party. | ||
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | |||||||||
12:45 PM - 1:15 PM | Immersive Everywhere: Exploring the Tech-Driven Future of Location-Based Experiences with Disguise Food Included | Food Included | LOCATION 226 W 26th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001 | THEME Design | TYPE Fast Track | More Info | Disguise, the Engineering, Science, and Technology Emmy Award-winning technology platform and services company behind key location-based experiences at SoFi Stadium, Illuminarium, the Burj Khalifa, and the NBA All-Star game, is at the forefront when it comes to driving a new era of immersive wonder for fans and visitors. Join Disguise at its Chelsea office to get an expert take on what the future holds for the location-based experience industry—from data-driven graphics and gamification supercharging in-stadium fan experiences to cinematic immersion taking theme park rides to new heights, and projection mapping and real-time content elevating the storytelling potential of museums, installations, architecture, and more. Experience some of this technology firsthand with a number of interactive demos, and meet the Disguise team to learn how these cutting-edge immersive experiences can be brought to life. | ||
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM | Best Workplaces for Innovators Awards Cocktail Reception More Info | Drinks Included, Food Included | LOCATION Convene | THEME Creativity | TYPE Private Event | More Info | Join us for a celebration of Fast Company's annual Best Workplaces for Innovators honorees. | ||
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM | World Changing Ideas Awards Cocktail Reception More Info | Drinks Included, Food Included | LOCATION Convene | THEME Creativity | TYPE Private Event | More Info | Join us for a celebration of Fast Company's annual World Changing Ideas Awards honorees. | ||
Thursday, September 18, 2025 | |||||||||
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Build Things That Last: The Craft and Care of Leather Footwear with Thursday Boot Company Giveaway | Giveaway | LOCATION 48 W 21st, 2nd Floor | THEME Design | TYPE Fast Track | More Info | Join Thursday Boots at its Flatiron headquarters for an overview of the details that distinguish quality footwear that is built to last. Presenters will cover materials, construction, and a quick history of shoemaking before demonstrating the easiest ways to care for your favorite pair of boots. Participants will get advice on everyday maintenance from expert cobblers and leave with a special gift. | ||
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Function and Flow: How Innovation Moves with Us Food Included | Food Included | LOCATION 273 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012 | THEME Entrepreneurship | TYPE Fast Track | More Info | Join the founders of bag brand Dagne Dover to learn more about how they differentiate innovation from product newness. This session will feature a conversation on how the founders pursue opportunities, approach financing, and evolve Dagne Dover’s brand, as well as how new ways of thinking guide the creation of systems, relationships, and human-centered solutions. Following the conversation, attendees will have the opportunity to shop at Dagne Dover’s flagship location with an exclusive Innovation Festival discount. | ||
1:00 PM - 5:30 PM | Test IBD session More Info | LOCATION | THEME | TYPE Private Event | More Info | ||||
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Closing Night Party Drinks Included | Drinks Included | LOCATION Convene | THEME | TYPE Party | More Info | Celebrate a week of innovative conversations and new connections during our closing night party. |