#UNICONDirectors April 14-16, 2026
IMD | Lausanne, Switzerland
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UNICON 2026 Directors' Conference at IMD

Leading in the Age of Intelligence: Executive Learning in a Fragmented World

directors conference 2026
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UNICON directors conference
REGISTER NOW AND SECURE YOUR SPOT
 
Registration Fees: CHF 1650
 
Open to: Executive Directors and Associate Deans and/or senior leaders who are responsible for executive education programs within their respective institutions.
 
Please note: Due to limited space, registration is initially restricted to one participant per member school. Additional spots, if available, will open on or around 16 February.

#UNICONDirectors: what to expect this year

As artificial intelligence redefines the boundaries of leadership and decision-making, and as global geopolitics grow increasingly complex, executive education stands at a pivotal crossroad. From AI-powered hyper personalization in leadership programs to the strategic implications of shifting global power dynamics, this event will challenge participants to rethink what it means to prepare their institutions and themselves for the future.

Secure your spot now

#UNICONDirectors: Last year's numbers

223
Participants
71
Business Schools Involved
20
Countries Represented
5
Continents
REGISTER NOW

#UNICONTDC in 2025: What to Expect

UNICON Benchmarking Survey Launch

Deep dive sessions featuring exclusive, fresh insights and industry trends from the UNICON 2025 Benchmarking Survey

Global Network

Connect with 200+ leaders from 70+ prestigious business schools

Renewed Purpose

Gain an actionable game plan and clear strategy to bring more purpose and meaningful impact to your work—and, if you can, supercharge the experience by attending with your colleagues.

"How I Built It”

Presentations from UNICON member schools showcasing innovative, real-world approaches in ExecEd, moving from opportunity to solution.

Your 3-Day Executive Education Leadership Journey in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Day 1: Setting the Stage — Future-Back for Executive Education

09:00 | Opening & Welcome
With Melanie Weaver Barnett, Anna Dunand & Misiek Piskorski

Future-Back Exercises: Reimagining leadership in a world shaped by disruption, speed, and uncertainty.

  • It’s 2035, and Executive Education as we know it has had its best year ever. How did it happen?
  • It’s 2035, and Executive Education as we know it no longer exists as an industry. How did it happen?

Deep Dive Sessions

  • The AI Future Is Already Here
    Understanding the near-term leaps, their leadership implications, and their impact on what we have developed for future back exercises for executive education
  • A Fragmented and Volatile World
    Navigating geopolitical power shifts, instability, and emerging blocs, their leadership implications, and their impact on what we have developed for future back exercises for executive education

Expert & Executive Panel: From Insight to Action
Experts and clients share real lessons from navigating complex change, and requirements for executive education in the future.

17:00 | Cultural Experience — The Olympic Capital
Exclusive tour of the Olympic Museum followed by dinner & a keynote in Lausanne, the city of sports.

Day 2: From Insight to Capability — Real Learning for Real Leaders

08:30 | Coffee & Light Breakfast

Learning Spotlights: Critical Capabilities for the New Era

IMD Immersive Labs: Real World, Real Challenges
Hands-on workshops rooted in IMD’s action-learning DNA:

  • Leading through fragmentation & complexity
  • Thriving under the twin forces of AI acceleration and global fracture

Sensemaking & Strategic Roadmapping
Turn signals into strategy — build resilience and opportunity maps for your organization.

15:00 | Cultural Experience — Switzerland’s Flavors
Journey to Gruyères & exclusive access to the Cailler Chocolate Maison
Taste the Swiss craft behind cheese & chocolate — a sensory immersion.

Day 3: Perform & Transform

08:30 | Coffee & Light Breakfast

Leadership Readiness: Are You Prepared to Lead What’s Coming?
Frameworks and tools for senior leaders to drive transformation while preparing for today.

Group Assessment Debriefs
Understand your leadership readiness profile — strengths, gaps & opportunities.

Personal Action Blueprint
Turn your insights into an actionable 90-day leadership plan.

15:00 | Closing Reflections

Best-in-class Faculty sessions

Connect with inspiring speakers from Johns Hopkins University and UNICON's global membership, who are transforming executive education worldwide

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Denyce Graves

Distinguished Faculty Artist, Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute

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Susan Magsamen

Founder and Executive Director, Johns Hopkins University International Arts + Mind Lab

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Wendel Patrick

Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute

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Joseph Victor Sakran, MD, MPH, MPA

Executive Vice Chair of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medicine

See the full schedule on the conference Portal

Where to stay: venue & accommodation IMD Rates

To help you plan your stay, please note that hotel rates in Lausanne typically range between CHF 200 and CHF 400 per night. Our conference partners offer preferential rates for participants, making accommodation more affordable than standard local prices.

For stays extending beyond the conference dates, please contact the hotel directly and reference the conference for special conditions.

beau

Beau-Rivage Palace

Superior Garden View Rooms at CHF 375/night (single occupancy, breakfast included)

Reservation deadline: February 13, 2026 (60 days before April 13)

Cancellation policy: Free cancellation up to 7 days before arrival | From 6 days prior: full stay charged (excluding city tax) | No-show: full stay charged (excluding city tax)

Check availability and book
chateau

Château d’Ouchy

Superior Garden View Rooms at CHF 285/night (single occupancy, breakfast included)

Reservation deadline: February 13, 2026

Cancellation policy: Free cancellation up to 7 days before arrival | From 6 days prior: full stay charged (excluding city tax) | No-show: full stay charged (excluding city tax)

Check availability and book
royal

Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa

Rooms at CHF 310/night (single occupancy, breakfast included)

Reservation deadline: March 14, 2026 (30 days before April 13)

Cancellation policy: free cancellation up to 8 days before check-in

Check availability and book
carlton

Carlton

  • Classic Single Room (double bed) : CHF 205.–
  • Classic Double Room (double bed) : CHF 230.–
  • Executive Double Room (double bed or twin beds) :CHF 260.–
  • Breakfast: included
  • City tax: CHF 6.00 per person per day (additional)

Special rate : exclusively reserved for participants of your event.

Cancelation policy : free cancellation or modification up to 15 days prior to arrival. After this period, 100% of the total stay will be charged.

Use promotional code UNICON2026

Check availability and book

Restaurants and Sightseeing

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Discover Lausanne's Culinary Scene

From cozy coffee shops to Michelin-starred dining, Lausanne offers exceptional gastronomy within walking distance of IMD. Enjoy authentic Swiss fondue at Café Romand, fresh sushi at Miyako, or casual lakeside dining at White Horse. Our curated guide features elegant brasseries, trendy wine bars in the Flon district, and international flavors—all easily accessible by metro or on foot for dining between sessions or evening gatherings.

Download IMD's list of local restaurants
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Experience Lausanne's Must-See Attractions and Surroundings

As the Olympic Capital, Lausanne blends medieval charm with modern innovation. Explore the historic Cité and Gothic Cathedral, stroll the Lake Geneva waterfront, or visit the renowned Olympic Museum and Plateforme 10 arts district. The city's compact layout and efficient transport make it easy to discover hidden gems like Mon-Repos Park and the UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyards. Your Lausanne Transport Card provides unlimited access to make the most of your time here.

Things to do around Lausanne
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Ready to join us at IMD?

As artificial intelligence redefines the boundaries of leadership and decision-making, and as global geopolitics grow increasingly complex, executive education stands at a pivotal crossroad.

From AI-powered hyper-personalization in leadership programs to the strategic implications of shifting global power dynamics, this event will challenge participants to rethink what it means to prepare executives for the future.

Join us in April 2026 in Lausanne, Switzerland, to engage in critical conversations, share cutting-edge approaches, and co-create the next evolution of executive education.

Register Now

Discover the UNICON Experience

Get a preview of the energy, learning, and networking opportunities at the UNICON Directors' Conference. Watch highlights from last year’s event to see why 70-90 leaders from around the world come together every year to shape the future of executive education:

Read our Blog Post with last year's highlights