AR Summit 2026
Sept. 14 – 16, 2026 in Kansas City, MO
Connect
A global community of AR trailblazers:
Form invaluable connections at AR Summit, the industry’s largest professional development event. Gain access to industry thought leaders and connect with peers who speak your language.
Learn
Thought-provoking keynotes:
Engage with renowned industry leaders as they share their expertise, inspiring innovative approaches and challenging you to elevate your AR strategies.
Solve
Peer-led best practices:
Exchange knowledge, experiences, and success stories with other AR pros, tapping into the collective wisdom of the AR community to guide your professional growth and take your AR program to new heights.
Don’t miss your chance to attend the industry’s most anticipated event of the year. Register now to secure your spot at the Spotlight Summit 2026. You’ll gain fresh perspectives, forge valuable connections, and propel your career forward.
If interested in group discounts or sponsoring this year’s Summit, please reach out to Clare Holahan at clare.holahan@spotlightar.com.
We'll see you in
- days
- Hours
- Minutes
- Seconds
Featured Keynote Speakers
Coming soon!
Agenda
Topic 1: Metrics & Reporting
Metrics & Reporting: Turning AR Engagement into Measurable Business Value
Unlock the true potential of your AR program with this session focused on mastering AR metrics for success. Discover how your organization can evolve from foundational AR program reporting to a Ïreimagined, insights-driven, and high-impact approach to AR reporting that demonstrates real business value and strategic impact.
Walk away with fresh ideas and a clear roadmap for transforming your AR reporting into a high-impact tool that speaks to business outcomes and strategic influence. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your AR strategy!
Spotlight Speakers:
Kimberlee Kuzara, Sr. Client Executive
Tara Cappel, Client Executive
Topic 2: Entering a New Category
Breaking Through: How to leverage AR when entering or creating a new category
Whether you’re looking to expand your market presence or further differentiate your brand, this session will equip you with proven strategies and practical tips for how to leverage industry analysts to redefine your market position or even forge an entirely new category. Discover strategic approaches that help influence analyst perception, shape industry trends, and position your business as an innovative market leader.
Learn how to transform your company vision and narrative, seize untapped opportunities, and drive significant growth by harnessing the power of analyst relations.
Spotlight Speakers:
Neal Stark, Client Executive
Annie O’Laughlin, Client Executive
Topic 3: Vendor Evaluations
From Grind to Gold: Strategically Managing Evaluations at Scale
Ranking reports are hard, require a lot of time, investment and engagement from multiple stakeholders across the business. This session offers a fresh perspective on managing vendor evaluations at scale – from streamlining internal processes to harnessing the power of technology. You’ll walk away with proven strategies for maximizing the impact of your efforts.
Spotlight Speakers:
Blake Divinny, Client Executive
Molly Gregory, Client Executive
Topic 4: Value Discovery
Value Discovery: Win the Hearts and Minds of Your Internal Stakeholders by Aligning Effort to Value
Understand value drivers and how you can ensure that your AR program is structured to deliver outcome that will resonate with stakeholders throughout the business.
Leave with a stakeholder survey and next steps to implement value discovery in your business.
Spotlight Speakers:
Katherine Hubbard, Sr. Client Executive
Anna Jaramillo, Client Executive
Topic 5: Marketing & Sales Enablement
AR-Driven Enablement: Activate Your Assets
Explore the importance of activating and promoting the wins of the AR program back to the business, including how organizations are best tracking their AR success, promoting AR achievements to leadership, and enabling sales and marketing to make better decisions.
You will walk away with a tool to see how you compare to other organizations in their activation maturity and steps on how your organization can improve its AR activation.
Spotlight Speakers:
Austin McCloud, Director, Partnerships
Cory Sims, Client Executive
Topic 6: Intelligence/Insights
Insights: Leveraging Your Customers’ Voices to Elevate AR
Unleash the customer voice for your Analyst Relations program. Analysts crave insights about your customers. They love case studies, and want to hear plenty of stories about how your customers benefit from your solution.
This session will equip you with ways to leverage the Voice of the Customer, and user reviews specifically – as a powerful influencer. Learn tips every AR manager should know on sharing customer insights, showcasing user review data, and unlocking customer intelligence to drive market advantage for your company.
Spotlight Speakers:
Steve Van Lieshout, VP of Intelligence
Jaylan Adlam, Sr. Intelligence Manager
Topic 7: Working Sessions
Turn Your Ideas into a Plan of Action
Back by popular demand! You’re loaded with ideas now, but figuring out where to go next is a challenge. We’ll close the day in a working session where we’ll think about where you are today, brainstorm ideas together about where you should go, and leave with a plan for:
– What you can do immediately
– What you can do over the next 12 months
You’ll walk away with greater clarity on the best actions for you that leverage time-tested approaches to prioritize and make your vision a reality.
Spotlight Speakers:
Nichole Wright, Sr. Client Executive
Kirsten Moore, Sr. Client Executive
Noah Bisel, Client Executive
Jeff Harris, Sr. Client Executive
Summit Experience
Save Your Spot At AR Summit 2026!
Register now for AR Summit 2026 and secure your spot to be a part of the ultimate gathering of Analyst Relations professionals.
FAQ
- $3,300 (2 nights hotel accommodations included). Contact your Spotlight account representative or Clare Holahan to discuss group discounts.
Monday, Sept. 14 — Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026
Should you decide to pre- or post-extend your trip, please make this request at the time of registering for the program. All requests are based on availability. All costs associated with your pre- or post-extend hotel arrangements will be your responsibility. The group rate is honored 3 days pre or 3 days post the program dates.
The recommended attire for the week is business casual & jeans are totally acceptable. We recommend dressing in layers as the temperature in large spaces can often be difficult to control.
The average low temperature in September is 60 degrees, while the average high is 80 degrees.
Complimentary Internet and email access is available in your room and common areas.
After checking in with the hotel, please proceed to the Spotlight Hospitality & Registration desk to pick up your badge & receive important information regarding the conference.
- Conference Admission Monday – Wednesday, including a wide variety of content and social gatherings
- All Group Meal Functions
- Hotel Kansas City property amenities
- 2 nights hotel accommodations at Hotel Kansas City
You are responsible for arranging your own flights to/from Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and ground transportation between the airport and the hotel.
Hotel Kansas City offers Valet Parking with unlimited in & out privileges – $42 per vehicle, per night. There is no self park option provided by the hotel.
Stay Tuned 👀 Future Summit dates will be announced soon!