| Monday, October 21, 2024 | ||
| Time | Session | Location |
| All times Eastern. | ||
| 6:30 - 7:30 am | Fitness Class: 305 Fitness SIGN UP! Jump-start your day with this cardio workout. Let your hair down, shake it out and let 305 Fitness lift you up in this judgment-free dance party. No dance experience necessary. This class is open to all levels, from beginner to advanced. | Marquis Ballroom 9th Floor |
| 7:30 - 9:00 am | Breakfast | Westside Foyer 5th Floor |
| 9:00 am | Opening Entertainment Sponsored by  | Westside Ballroom 5th Floor |
| 9:00 - 10:00 am | Opening General Session Streamed/Recorded Join us as we, once again, kick off Diversity Week with The WICT Network 2024 Leadership Conference! Join WICT leaders, Maria Brennan and Leigh Woisard, as they welcome conference attendees with surprise entertainment and introduce an inspirational keynote conversation. Our top-rated Leadership Conference sets the bar high—and this year will be no exception.
Session sponsored by  | Westside Ballroom 5th Floor |
| 10:00 - 10:15 am | Networking Break Sponsored by CommScope & Optimum | Westside Foyer 5th Floor |
| 10:15 - 11:15 am | Breakout – Leadership Starts Within: Cultivating Self-Awareness Self-awareness is crucial for high-performing leaders, enabling them to effectively regulate emotional states and reactions. This session will explore the challenges of leading in a world that changes faster than we are equipped to handle by developing self-awareness through proven tools and techniques. By cultivating a more balanced and aware state, we can tap into our full potential, embody the qualities necessary to thrive and effectively guide our teams through complexity and change. Supported by 30 years of evidence-based research, these strategies will help you enhance your leadership capabilities, increase mental clarity and decision making, create deeper interpersonal connections and optimize communication.
Session sponsored by  | Majestic 6th Floor |
| 10:15 - 11:15 am | Breakout – The Inside Innovator Dive into the world of intrapreneurship. This session will explore how visionary leaders can foster innovation and drive significant growth within their organizations. Discover practical strategies for leading change and creating value through new products, services and business models that have the potential to redefine industries.
Session sponsored by  | Shubert 6th Floor |
| 10:15 - 11:15 am | Micro Sessions Participants will rotate through a series of engaging, 15-minute micro sessions designed to provide focused insights and practical tools for thriving in the digital age. AI Tools & Apps You Need to Know Staying current on technological trends and emerging technologies is the focus of this high-level micro session. Participants will hear from our expert speakers about the much-lauded rise of artificial intelligence and how it has become critical to remaining relevant in today's rapidly evolving workplace. Expect speakers to probe into some of today’s breakthrough technologies while offering insights into how software tools have become intrinsic to surviving the digital era.
Tools for Enhanced Well-Being Join leadership and wellness coach Maritza Puello for an immersive mini-workshop designed to help you cultivate a greater sense of well-being. We’ll begin with a short, guided meditation to center your mind and body, followed by practical tips and tools to integrate mindfulness into your daily life, including app recommendations. This session will highlight simple and powerful ways to manage stress, boost focus, and nurture a deeper sense of balance. Discover how to build consistent mindful habits and enhance your journey towards overall well-being with ease.
Boost Your Productivity Discover how technology can enhance your productivity. Begin with a live demonstration of Microsoft Copilot to see how it can streamline tasks, boost efficiency and seamlessly integrate into your daily workflow. We will also explore a range of other digital tools designed to support various aspects of your work, from writing and creative projects to marketing and collaboration. Whether you're looking to automate routine tasks or improve team coordination, this session will provide practical solutions to make your workday smoother and more productive.
| Soho 7th Floor |
| 10:15 - 11:15 am | Breakout – Shift Happens: Navigating Career Pivots Streamed/Recorded In an industry and era marked by breakneck change, the ability to adapt and pivot one's career path is more critical than ever. This panel discussion will delve into the essentials in preparing for and successfully managing career transitions. Our expert panelists, each from diverse professional backgrounds, will share their personal stories of pivotal career shifts—whether by choice or circumstance. You will gain insights into recognizing when it's time for a change, the tools and strategies necessary for a seamless transition, and how to be change-ready to take on new opportunities.
Session sponsored by  | Juilliard 5th Floor |
| 11:15 - 11:30 am | Stretch Break | |
| 11:30 am - 1:30 pm | Touchstones Luncheon The WICT Network Touchstones Luncheon recognizes the industry's most influential women in media, entertainment and technology. Among the honors presented will be the 2024 Women of the Year and Women to Watch, The WICT Network's highest individual awards. The WICT Network gratefully acknowledges the Champion Sponsors of the 2024 Touchstones Luncheon  | Broadway Ballroom 6th Floor |
| 1:30 - 2:00 pm | Stretch Break | |
| 2:00 - 3:00 pm | Breakout – Negotiating Effectively for Yourself Join Victoria Medvec, renowned negotiation expert and bestselling author, in a transformative session designed to empower you in personal and professional negotiations. Drawing from her latest book, Negotiate Without Fear, Victoria will share breakthrough strategies and insights that highlight the importance of advocating for yourself or your company effectively. Learn how to harness key negotiation principles to secure better outcomes, strengthen your negotiation skills and approach every discussion with confidence.
Session sponsored by  | Majestic 6th Floor |
| 2:00 - 3:00 pm | Breakout – You, Me, We: Workplace Engagement For over two decades, Gallup has posed the question: Do you have a best friend at work? Those who say “yes” exhibit higher engagement and commitment. Despite these findings, workplace engagement has remained stagnant, suggesting we might be asking the wrong question. Instead, this workshop explores a more transformative inquiry: Are you a best friend at work? In this session, we'll dive into how to be intentional in your relationships to enhance leadership presence and impact. You'll learn to cultivate the five qualities of an Ally Mindset™ and discover practical steps to strengthen connections that inspire and lead teams successfully.
| Shubert 6th Floor |
| 2:00 - 3:00 pm | Micro Sessions Participants will rotate through a series of engaging, 15-minute micro sessions designed to provide focused insights and practical tools for thriving in the digital age. AI Tools & Apps You Need to Know Staying current on technological trends and emerging technologies is the focus of this high-level micro session. Participants will hear from our expert speakers about the much-lauded rise of artificial intelligence and how it has become critical to remaining relevant in today's rapidly evolving workplace. Expect speakers to probe into some of today’s breakthrough technologies while offering insights into how software tools have become intrinsic to surviving the digital era.
Tools for Enhanced Well-Being Join leadership and wellness coach Maritza Puello for an immersive mini-workshop designed to help you cultivate a greater sense of well-being. We’ll begin with a short, guided meditation to center your mind and body, followed by practical tips and tools to integrate mindfulness into your daily life, including app recommendations. This session will highlight simple and powerful ways to manage stress, boost focus, and nurture a deeper sense of balance. Discover how to build consistent mindful habits and enhance your journey towards overall well-being with ease.
Boost Your Productivity Discover how technology can enhance your productivity. Begin with a live demonstration of Microsoft Copilot to see how it can streamline tasks, boost efficiency and seamlessly integrate into your daily workflow. We will also explore a range of other digital tools designed to support various aspects of your work, from writing and creative projects to marketing and collaboration. Whether you're looking to automate routine tasks or improve team coordination, this session will provide practical solutions to make your workday smoother and more productive.
| Soho 7th Floor |
| 2:00 - 3:00 pm | Breakout – Beyond the Hashtag: #SelfLove Streamed/Recorded Join us for a transformative discussion on the importance of self-love in today’s social media ladened society. Featuring a panel of leading voices in body positivity and mental health, our diverse lineup of activists, psychologists and influencers will explore the journey of acceptance while challenging societal expectations. Learn practical strategies for fostering self-esteem and mental fortitude. This session will inspire, educate and empower you to cultivate a deeper, more compassionate relationship with the most important person in your life - YOU.
The WICT Network gratefully acknowledges Cox Communications as the Exclusive Platinum Sponsor of the #BeyondTheHashtag Learning Series  | Juilliard 5th Floor |
| 3:00 - 3:20 pm | Micro Session – Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch Led by an expert in crafting compelling professional narratives, this micro session will equip you with the skills to create a concise, attention-grabbing pitch that effectively communicates your value and leaves a lasting impression. Whether you are networking or presenting a project, this practical session will provide the tools needed to confidently present yourself or your ideas in any situation.
| 6th Floor Foyer |
| 3:00 - 3:20 pm | Networking Break Sponsored by CommScope & Optimum | Westside Foyer 5th Floor |
| 3:20 - 4:20 pm | General Session – Surviving & Thriving in the Digital Age Streamed/Recorded In an era marked with rapid technological evolution, the skills required in today’s workplace are transforming faster than ever. This session will delve into how artificial intelligence, digital transformation and emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of leadership and business development. Our panelists will discuss practical approaches to upskilling your teams, the importance of adaptability and digital literacy, and exploring strategies you can adopt to stay ahead of the curve.
| Westside Ballroom 5th Floor |
| 4:20 - 4:30 pm | Stretch Break | |
| 4:30 - 5:30 pm | General Session – Profiles of Champions As we step out of the coveted Summer Olympics, let’s step into the world of more elite athletes and sports executives to discover the secrets behind their peak performance under pressure. Join our panel as they break down the strategies that cultivate endurance, strength, flexibility and focus. Through their personal stories and insights, you will gain valuable lessons and empower yourself to write your own winning playbook for thriving as a corporate athlete. Don't miss this inspiring session that will equip you with a winning mindset to unleash your full potential.
Session sponsored by  | Westside Ballroom 5th Floor |
| 5:30 - 6:30 pm | Big Apple Reception Sponsored by  | Promenade & Terrace 9th Floor |
| Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | ||
| 6:00 - 7:00 am | Fitness Class: Sunrise Yoga SIGN UP! De-stress while you stretch at a yoga class—open to all levels, from beginner to advanced. This class will help prepare your mind and body to better learn and lead, as research shows a connection between physical activity and increased brain power. | Marquis Ballroom 9th Floor |
| 7:00 - 8:00 am | Breakfast | Westside Foyer 5th Floor |
| 8:00 - 8:30 am | General Session – Unleashing Your Potential: A Keynote with Jamie Kern Lima Join us for an inspiring keynote by Jamie Kern Lima, the trailblazing entrepreneur and founder of IT Cosmetics. In this powerful session, Jamie will share her transformative journey from a struggling startup founder to a successful business leader, offering invaluable insights on resilience, innovation and authentic leadership. Discover the strategies and mindset that propelled her to overcome challenges and achieve remarkable success.
Session sponsored by  | Westside Ballroom 5th Floor |
| 8:30 - 8:40 am | Stretch Break | |
| 8:40 - 9:40 am | Breakout – Personal Branding: I Know, I Did it On Purpose This session is not about making work all around better. It’s about making you better at work by being intentional about digging out of career stagnation. This session aims to help you craft an unforgettable (and stylish) personal brand and promoting yourself in a way that won’t make you an outlier in the office. Learn about avoiding a “fuzzy personal brand,” dressing with purpose and banishing negative self-talk to amplify you. If you must work for a living, let’s do it on purpose and with purpose. If you liked Leigh Woisard’s “One Thing” presentation, featured in 2022, you’ll love this sequel!
| Shubert 6th Floor |
| 8:40 - 9:40 am | Breakout – The Empathetic Workplace: Collaboration & Culture Empathy has never been more important to democracy and the future of humanity, and understanding its role in the workplace has never been more critical. Empathy isn't just a fundamental aspect of our human experience; it also promotes mental health and enhances organizational health. In this highly interactive session, you will explore the business case for empathy, review a powerful framework to become a more empathic leader, and discover several self-empathy practices to bolster mental health and well-being.
| Majestic 6th Floor |
| 8:40 - 9:40 am | Breakout – Leadership Competencies Roundtables Participate in engaging dialogue with industry leaders to discuss pertinent topics for the workplace today. Whether you're a seasoned leader or aspiring to take on leadership roles, this roundtable will provide you with valuable insights and practical guidance to enhance your leadership competencies and make a meaningful impact. Session sponsored by  | Soho 7th Floor |
| 8:40 - 9:40 am | Breakout – The 5 Resets: Rewire Your Brain & Body Streamed/Recorded In today’s fast-paced, high-stress world, achieving mental and physical well-being can feel like a distant goal. Join Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, a leading expert in integrative medicine, for an empowering session on transformative strategies to reset and rejuvenate your mind and body. Drawing from her book, The 5 Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body, Dr. Nerurkar will share actionable, science-backed techniques to help you overcome stress and burnout effectively.
| Juilliard 5th Floor |
| 9:40 - 10:00 am | Micro Session – Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch Led by an expert in crafting compelling professional narratives, this micro session will equip you with the skills to create a concise, attention-grabbing pitch that effectively communicates your value and leaves a lasting impression. Whether you are networking or presenting a project, this practical session will provide the tools needed to confidently present yourself or your ideas in any situation.
| 6th Floor Foyer |
| 9:40 - 10:00 am | Networking Break Sponsored by CommScope & Optimum | Westside Foyer 5th Floor |
| 10:00 - 10:45 am | General Session – Pearls of Wisdom: Fueling Your Passion & Purpose Streamed/Recorded Styled after the famed TED Talks, this inspirational session convenes dynamic and innovative thought leaders to impart their wisdom in a series of high-impact keynotes. Speakers will share the journeys and transformational moments that have shaped their lives and careers, which will motivate you to take their teachings and turn them into YOUR action plan!
Session sponsored by  | Westside Ballroom 5th Floor |
| 10:45 - 10:55 am | Stretch Break | |
| 10:55 - 11:55 am | General Session – State of the Industry CEO Panel Streamed/Recorded Join us for an intimate and insightful discussion featuring top leaders in media, entertainment and technology. This session will delve into the current state of the industry, exploring key challenges, emerging opportunities and overall business prospects. Gain valuable perspectives from leaders who are shaping the future of the industry through a rich exchange of ideas, strategies and insights.
| Westside Ballroom 5th Floor |
| 12:00 - 12:45 pm | General Session – Diversity Town Hall Streamed/Recorded The AIM/PAR Diversity Survey results are in! Join The WICT Network, NAMIC and The NCTA Education Foundation as we convene several of the top DEI experts to discuss the current state of ethnic and gender diversity within our industry. Key results will be summarized in our famed Town Hall format. Discover how to seize new opportunities within your organization as we work collaboratively to make our industry the benchmark for all businesses to emulate. Be sure to contribute to this important Town Hall by participating in the interactive Q&A session.
PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NAMIC. SUPPORTED BY THE NCTA EDUCATION FOUNDATION. | Westside Ballroom 5th Floor |
Program & timing subject to change. General sessions and live-streamed breakout sessions will be recorded and available for playback through the end of the year.
