Thrive 2026 / SEPT 29 - OCT 1Los Angeles, CA
Agenda
September 29th
Registration Open
Upon arrival, please stop by the Registration Desk to check in and pick up your conference badge. Your conference badge is required for entry to all conference sessions, meals, networking events, and activities, so be sure to keep it with you throughout the event.
Welcome to Thrive 2026
Kick off Thrive with an evening of great food, networking and unforgettable energy in the heart of LA Live. Connect with fellow attendees while enjoying an iconic Los Angeles style block party, featuring food trucks from across Southern California.
September 30th
Networking Breakfast
Start the day with breakfast while connecting with fellow attendees, sponsors, and AppDirect team members. It's a great opportunity to meet new contacts, spark conversations, and prepare for the day's sessions.
Opening Keynote & Product Roadmap
See the forces reshaping B2B commerce and the platform innovations built to help you win. Nicolas Desmarais, Andy Sen, and Colin Chong bring both together in one powerful opening session.
The Future of Monetization Strategies
Walk away with exactly how to get your technology in front of the right buyers, grow through partnerships, and drive revenue across modern B2B commerce.
Break
Enjoy a brief refreshment break before the next session begins.
A Conversation with Burt Podbere, Chief Financial Officer at CrowdStrike
Gain a Fortune 500 CFO's perspective on navigating AI disruption, building resilient companies, and positioning your business to grow through rapid change.
Power of Partners: The Growth Multiplier
Growth looks different now. Learn how smart businesses are moving beyond traditional channels and tapping affiliates, B2B influencers, and new partnership models to drive revenue and expand reach.
Connecting People + Technology with Verizon Business
Verizon Business Channel Chief Mark Tina will unwrap the power of "connectivity," not just in the traditional sense. From the human element, to the network, AI, global partner ecosystem and more. In this age of AI and innovation, business needs are rapidly changing and the right "connectivity" can mean the difference between business success and being left behind.
Networking Lunch Break
Enjoy lunch while connecting with fellow attendees, sponsors, and AppDirect team members. This is a great opportunity to build new relationships, exchange ideas, and continue conversations from the morning sessions.
Emcee + Ameca Interview
What happens when a veteran tech journalist interviews a humanoid robot live on stage? Find out. Laurie Segall sits down with Ameca for a conversation at the edge of what AI can do today.
AI Innovators & Adopters
Move beyond AI experimentation. Leave with a clear path to building human-first, AI-driven operations that create real impact across your business and your customers.
AI Maturity: A Phased Roadmap for Growth with Microsoft
Get a clear, phased roadmap for AI adoption you can bring directly to your customers. From security and data readiness to copilots and autonomous AI agents, learn how to lead AI conversations.
Keynote: Zack Kass, Global AI Advisor & Former Head of GTM at OpenAI
Leave with more than an AI opinion. Get a practical, optimistic perspective on where the market is heading and what it actually takes to lead through the next wave of business transformation.
Expo Hall & Networking Reception
Meet the providers building the future of B2B technology and explore the solutions that can move your business forward.
October 1st
Networking Breakfast
Join us for breakfast and informal networking as we kick off Day 2. Reconnect with fellow attendees, sponsors, and the AppDirect team before diving into another day of insightful sessions and discussions.
Keynote: Steven Bartlett, Entrepreneur, Investor, Founder of Steven.com, and Host of The Diary of a CEO Podcast
In conversation with Laurie Segall, walk away with hard-won lessons from building and investing in fast-growing companies and insights drawn from deep conversations with global tech leaders. Leave knowing how to navigate chaos, embrace AI-driven change, and build a resilient self and a high-velocity organization.
Break
Enjoy a brief refreshment break before the next session begins.
Digital Heroes & Provider Awards
This event will celebrate the AppDirect Digital Heroes & Provider Awards winners, individuals and organizations who challenge the status quo, drive innovation, and embody AppDirect's core values, while inspiring others through their commitment to transforming the digital economy.
Networking Lunch
Enjoy lunch while connecting with fellow attendees, sponsors, and AppDirect team members. This is a great opportunity to build new relationships, exchange ideas, and continue conversations from the day's sessions.
Breakout Sessions
Choose from a variety of breakout sessions and interactive roundtable discussions designed to provide actionable insights, practical strategies, and opportunities to connect with peers and industry experts. Session details will be announced soon.
Expo Hall & Networking Reception
Meet the providers building the future of B2B technology and explore the solutions that can move your business forward.
Final Night Party
Kick back, relax, and connect! The Thrive closing party will be a can’t-miss event! More details to follow.