Conference News: CNBC’s New Conf; A Warmer WEF?; Chatting with the National STEM Festival

New from CNBC: CNBC is adding a new event to their lineup in 2025. Happening in Singapore on 12 & 13 March, Converge will leverage the editorial power of CNBC and the boarder NBCUniversal network to gather visionary leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to “unlock new opportunities at the intersection of technology, innovation, sustainability and leadership, in business, sports, and entertainment.”  Hosts will include Sara Eisen and David Faber from CNBC ‘Squawk on the Street’ and Christine Tan, ‘Managing Asia’ Anchor CNBC. The sessions will include topics covered at several previous CNBC events: CEO Council; Delivering Alpha; Disruptor 50; Changemakers; CNBC SPORT; and Sustainable Future. 

A Warmer WEF: On the last day of the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the WEF president and the Minister of Economy and Planning for Saudi Arabia announced that they will host a regular high-level World Economic Forum (WEF) global meeting in Riyadh, moving forward. The first of these new gatherings will be held in the Spring of 2026. The official announcement noted that “The World Economic Forum Global Meeting in Riyadh is set to become a cornerstone event in the global calendar, reflecting the Kingdom’s position as a key bridge between the north and south, east and west, and a beacon for constructive dialogue and action.”

All Eyes on WIM Allies: Women in Manufacturing will also host a new event this year! The new Men as Allies Conference will serve as a platform for participants “to discuss the crucial role of men as allies in the manufacturing industry.” Taking place from 19 – 20 in Clearwater, FL, the event is tailored for men in the manufacturing industry at the director level and above, who are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within their organizations. Attendees will hear real world examples and best practices to support and champion women in their organizations and the manufacturing industry.

Submission Opportunity: Open Source Summit North America (23–25 June in Denver) is accepting proposals from speakers who wish to share insights, lead discussions on critical challenges and emerging solutions, and help drive open source innovation. Now through 17 February, open source developers, technologists, and community leaders are encouraged to submit on dozens of topics within tracks like clouds & containers, Linux & embedded Linux, open AI & data, and open source leadership and software best practices. Note that the Linux Foundation does not accept submissions with all-male panels. They also recommend avoiding discussion of unlicensed or potentially closed-source technologies when preparing your proposal.

Conference Organizer Q&A: The second annual National STEM Festival (19-22 March in Washington, DC) invites students in grades 7-12 from across the U.S. to share STEM innovations and research addressing real-world problems. Jenny Buccos, who is Founder & CEO EXPLR and Co-Director of the festival, shared with us what makes this nationwide initiative to foster a passion for STEM among middle and high school students so special and the critical role that business and policy leaders can play.

Speaker Strategies: Why did you decide to launch the National STEM Festival?

The National STEM Festival presented by EXPLR was created out of a desire to break down barriers to opportunity and showcase the brilliance and creativity of students across the nation. My Co-Director and I wanted to create a platform where young innovators could shine on a national stage, connect with industry leaders, and see how their passions can translate into real-world impact. STEM is about more than just science and technology—it’s about solving the big challenges of tomorrow. By bringing together students, educators, and professionals, we aim to inspire the next generation to dream big and take bold steps toward their futures.

Speaker Strategies: Can you tell us more about the VIP Expo at the festival, and why attendees find it to be so valuable?
The VIP Expo is a celebration of the incredible diversity within the STEM community. It’s an opportunity for the nation’s most innovative middle and high school students to showcase their ideas and solutions in front of industry executives, policymakers, and educators. What makes it so special is the way it bridges generations of STEM thinkers—bringing students face-to-face with professionals who can mentor and inspire them, while also showing the broader STEM community the immense creativity and problem-solving potential of these young minds. Attendees leave with fresh perspectives, a deeper connection to the future of STEM, and a shared excitement about what’s possible when we work together to tackle the challenges ahead.

Speaker Strategies: What were some of your favorite elements of last year’s festival?

Speaking at the White House and having the opportunity to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in STEM, business, and education—alongside representatives from more than a dozen federal agencies and high-profile science communicators—was an incredible honor. It was a testament to the power of community and shared vision in advancing opportunities for young innovators. One standout for me was the mentorship sessions—watching students connect with experts who took the time to listen, guide, and uplift them was so encouraging. 

Speaker Strategies: What do you love most about your job?
What I love most is the privilege of helping young people realize their potential. Every day, I’m surrounded by students with big ideas and incredible determination. Hearing their stories, seeing their growth, and watching them take bold steps forward—it’s beyond rewarding. I also love collaborating with partners who are equally passionate about shaping the future and creating opportunities for the next generation. At its core, my job is about possibility, and there’s nothing more fulfilling than being part of that journey.

Coming Up Next Week: Conference Board’s 2025: A Year in Preview (4-5 February at the Plaza New York) gathers invited CEOs, board members, and C-Suite executives for peer-to-peer discussions and mobilization for the year (or two) ahead. Those looking to hear from influential voices in sustainability on what’s next in decarbonization, disclosure, nature, supply chains, strategic communications, and change management can attend GreenBiz 25 (now rebranded under the Trellis Group) from 10-12 February in Phoenix. Informa LEAP Summit will be held 9-12 February in Riyadh, boasting 170k total visitors from the global tech landscape across four days of expos, 17 content tracks, and over a thousand speakers. On 10 February, Digital Entertainment World/DEW features voices from across digital entertainment at the UCLA Palisades Ballroom. And lastly, PRWeek’s PR Decoded heads back to New York on 4 February for a serious discussion of the global reverberations of an AI future, geopolitical uncertainty, and evolving DEI and ESG impacts on the public relations profession.