The Schedule

October 21st – 23rd 2025

Day One

Tuesday, October 21st 2025

7:00 AM | Registration & Networking Breakfast & Welcome

Arrive early to check in, pick up your event badge, welcome kit, and personalized agenda. Our friendly team will be on hand to assist with any questions and ensure a smooth start to your summit experience.

10:15 AM | Opening Keynote

Enjoy a delicious breakfast as you connect with fellow leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. It’s the perfect opportunity to start building meaningful relationships right from the beginning.

10:30 - 11:30 AM | Program Begins

Join us for the official opening of The DEN Summit, featuring an inspiring welcome from our host and an overview of the event’s vision and goals. Gain insights into what’s ahead and how to make the most of your experience.

10:30 AM | Vusi Thembekwayo: Dragon investor & gq business leader of the year
Leading at the edge of chaos

Meet Vusi Thembekwayo; world renowned business leader, speaker and investor who redefines excellence in every endeavor. Founding CEO of award-winning investment firm MyGrowthFund Venture Partners, Co-founder of Club 100 and School of Scale as well as GQ Business Leader in 2020, Vusi’s innovative strategies and profound insights have transformed industries and empowered countless leaders.

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11:45 AM | Vusi Thembekwayo: VIP Book signing

Vusi Thembekwayo: Business & Life Lessons from a Black Dragon
2009

12:00 PM | Lunch

Take a break to enjoy a thoughtfully prepared lunch, offering a variety of delicious dishes to satisfy all dietary preferences. This is more than just a meal—it’s an opportunity to connect with fellow attendees, exchange ideas from the morning sessions, and build relationships with industry leaders and innovators.

1:15 - 2:30 PM | Breakout Sessions

Winning Culture | Leading Through Uncertainty | Cybersecurity | Venture Capital Trends

2:30 PM | Break

2:45 - 4:00 PM | Breakout Sessions

Topics to be determined

4:00 - 6:00 PM | The DEN After Dark | Tradeshow Mingle

Details To Be Announced

6:15 PM | Women's Dinner

By Invitation Only

6:15 PM | Smoke Show Speakeasy

Location To Be Determined

Day Two

Wednesday, October 22nd 2025

7:00 AM | Breakfast

Begin Day 2 of The DEN Summit with a delightful breakfast experience designed to energize you for the day ahead.

8:00 - 9:00 AM | VIP Breakfast with Erica Dhawan

VIP attendees are invited to join the #1 Female Keynote speaker for an exclusive breakfast.

9:00 AM | Welcome

Begin Day 2 of The DEN Summit with a delightful breakfast experience designed to energize you for the day ahead.

9:15 AM | Erica Dhawan: Connectional intelligence expert
Win Together: Build Resilient & High-Performing Teams in the Age of AI

Erica Dhawan, a globally recognized expert on leadership, collaboration, and communication in the digital age, for an inspiring session that will transform the way you approach teamwork and innovation. In this session, Erica will delve into the science of connection and the importance of cultivating collaborative cultures in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world.

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2:30 PM | Break

10:30 - 11:30 AM | Malcolm Bruce
Edmonton Unlimited Business Leader

Malcolm Bruce is a visionary executive with a progressive career in leadership who is leading the regional investment & trade company – Edmonton Global. By drawing on his proven ability as a strategic planner and team builder, Malcolm is promoting the Edmonton Metropolitan Region as the business location of choice for global investment. Built collaboratively on regional assets, who collectively strengthen the Edmonton Metropolitan Region’s global competitiveness, growth and innovation, Edmonton Global is focused on promoting investment & trade for the Edmonton Metropolitan Region (EMR) on the global stage.

11:30 AM | Lunch

Take a midday pause to enjoy a delightful lunch crafted to energize you for the second half of the day. With a variety of options to suit all tastes, this lunch break offers the perfect blend of nourishment and networking.

12:30 - 1:30 PM | Breakout Sessions

Leading In Crisis | Building a Brand | How to Launch & Scale | Building Company Culture

1:30 PM | Break

1:45 - 2:45 PM | Breakout Sessions

Empowered Women Empower Buiness | Scaling Your Business | Using AI for Marketing | Investor Insight

2:45 PM | Break

3:00 - 4:00 PM | Breakout Sessions

Constant Change in Industry | Cybersecurity | Human-Centered Business | High-Conversion Sales Teams

4:00 - 6:00 PM | The DEN After Dark

Cabaret & Cocktails

6:15 PM | Smoke Show Speakeasy

Details to be determined

Day Three

Thursday, October 23rd 2025

7:00 AM | Breakfast

Kick off the last day of The DEN Summit with a nourishing breakfast and meaningful conversations. Savor a variety of breakfast options while connecting with like-minded leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Use this time to reflect on insights gained, share experiences, and strengthen the connections that will carry forward beyond the summit.

9:00 AM | Welcome

On the final day of The DEN Summit, join us for an inspiring opening that will set the stage for a day of reflection, strategic discussions, and actionable takeaways. Our host will share the vision for closing the summit with purpose, guiding you through the remaining opportunities to connect, learn, and grow as you prepare to bring your new insights back to your business and community.

9:15 - 10:15 AM | Chris Barton: OVERCOME OBSTACLES WITH IMAGINATION

Chris Barton, co-founder of Shazam and a pioneer in the tech industry, for a powerful session on the journey from idea to global success. Chris will share his personal experiences and insights on what it takes to build disruptive innovations, overcome obstacles, and create solutions that transform industries.

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