A new kind of industry gathering is coming to Chicago.

CHICAGO, IL / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / GRIT Chicago 2026 (Growth, Risk, Impact, and Transformation) will bring together senior leaders in competitive intelligence, strategy, and insights for an immersive, story-driven experience designed to move beyond theory and into real-world decision-making.

Taking place September 1-3, 2026 at River Roast (315 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL), GRIT Chicago introduces a breakthrough format built on a simple premise: storytellers over presenters.

After decades of producing and participating in intelligence-related events worldwide, the GRIT Chicago hosts have made a deliberate commitment-no abstract frameworks, no surface-level trends, and no passive learning. Instead, attendees will hear unfiltered, real-world accounts from executives who have navigated high-stakes decisions across growth, risk, impact, and transformation.

"What sets great events apart is not theory, it's lived experience," said David Kalinowski, President of Proactive Worldwide. "GRIT is designed to show how intelligence actually shapes decisions when the stakes are real."

A Practitioner-First Experience

GRIT Chicago 2026 is intentionally designed as a vendor-free environment, creating space for open, peer-to-peer learning.

The event centers on the theme: "Turning Intelligence into Confident Action."

A Program Built on Real Decisions

The agenda features a curated lineup of leaders sharing pivotal moments where intelligence directly influenced outcomes.

Highlights include:

Opening keynote from Marilynn Gardner, President & CEO of Navy Pier, detailing how intelligence informed a $400M transformation

A practitioner-led session from Ian Worden, CEO of Culinary Digital, on deploying AI in strategic intelligence-what worked and what didn't

Closing keynote from Scott Leeb, Chief Knowledge Officer of Fragomen, on navigating strategy in an era of disruption

Interactive roundtables exploring topics such as AI vs. human judgment, stakeholder influence, and demonstrating the value of CI

Designed for Connection and Impact

GRIT Chicago goes beyond content to create meaningful connections. From curated networking experiences to an optional opening evening at Navy Pier's Flyover Chicago and Centennial Wheel, the event is designed to foster relationships among some of the most experienced and forward-thinking professionals in the field.

Attendees will engage with a select group of global leaders referred to as "storytellers" who share candid insights from careers spent navigating uncertainty, driving transformation, and shaping strategy at leading organizations.

A New Standard for Intelligence Events

GRIT Chicago 2026 represents a shift in how the industry convenes. Moving from passive consumption to active learning, from presentations to experiences, and from information to application.

The organizers' promise is clear: an event that is as educational as it is engaging and fun, delivering lessons that participants can immediately apply to real-world challenges.

Event Details
GRIT Chicago 2026: Growth, Risk, Impact, and Transformation
River Roast, Chicago, IL
September 1, 2026 (4:00 PM) - September 3, 2026 (1:00 PM)

Seating is limited to 100 to foster a more intimate atmosphere.

Visit grit.vip to register and learn more.

About GRIT Chicago
GRIT is a next-generation event experience focused on advancing the role of strategic intelligence in business decision-making. Through a unique storyteller format, GRIT brings together leaders who share real-world experiences navigating complexity, uncertainty, and transformation and is hosted by Aurora WDC, Comintelli, and Proactive Worldwide.

Media Contact:

Kelley Loiacono,
847-483-9300

SOURCE: Proactive Worldwide