Richard Swain

expert panel

Make each annual conference more than a calendar commitment and turn it into a springboard for growth, insight and connection. Annual business conferences can easily become routine—another event on the calendar, another round of sessions and handshakes. But with the right approach, these gatherings can deliver far more than surface-level inspiration. Whether you’re attending to learn, leading a session, or using the event to align and energize your team, the real value lies in how you prepare, participate, and follow through. Below, 20 members of Fast Company Executive Board share their expert tips for getting the most out of your annual conference, year after year.

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As brands look for new ways to engage a generation raised on games, the lines between identity, interactivity and immersive experiences are blurring fast.

expert panel

A successful business-focused self-help book starts with a clear message and a real understanding of your audience. The self-help genre is full of big promises, but when writing for business professionals, inspiration alone won’t cut it. These readers are often looking for practical insights they can apply quickly, with little patience for fluff or vague advice. That means authors need to bring clarity, credibility, and purpose to every page. To help aspiring writers approach the process with intention, Fast Company Executive Board members share what to consider before diving in. Follow their recommendations to craft a book that truly helps readers help themselves.

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AI can supercharge your marketing, but without human guidance, it won’t resonate. These strategies help your business keep both. Artificial intelligence has helped many businesses move faster, work smarter, and reach broader audiences with their marketing and publicity efforts. But as use of this technology grows, so does the risk of losing the very thing that makes your brand stand out: the human connection. Luckily, you don't have to choose between AI and humanity; in fact, the most successful leaders and businesses are finding ways to blend both. To help, 11 members of Fast Company Executive Board discuss how you can use AI to amplify your reach without sacrificing authenticity.

expert panel

Your brand's reputation doesn't have to waver just because the market does. In an unpredictable market, your brand’s reputation can feel simultaneously more fragile and more important than ever. A single misstep, a poorly handled crisis, or a lack of clear communication can erode trust faster than it’s built. To help you avoid a PR crisis, 20 Fast Company Executive Board members share their best practices for managing brand reputation. Follow their advice to strengthen and protect your brand, no matter the external circumstances.