43rd Annual CEO Global Conference

Calling all aspiring entrepreneurs! Get ready for the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization's 43rd annual Global Conference & Pitch Competition in sunny Tampa, Florida. Join us from Thursday, Nov. 5 to Saturday, November 7, 2026, for an unforgettable weekend filled with inspiration, innovation, and endless opportunities.

Each year, more than 600 student innovators, faculty, founders, and industry leaders come together for high-impact learning, networking, and world-class competition. Attendees sharpen their entrepreneurial skills through immersive workshops, hands-on challenges, mentorship sessions, and CEO’s signature event — the Global Pitch Competition, where hundreds compete for national recognition and non-dilutive capital.

This year’s theme, Design The Future, invites every participant to imagine boldly and build with intention. Through keynotes, interactive labs, and leadership experiences, students will explore the mindsets and strategies behind today’s most successful founders. Whether you’re launching a venture, preparing for your entrepreneurial career, or looking to elevate your leadership, this conference equips you to step forward with purpose.

In 2026, the CEO Global Conference returns to Tampa, Florida — a city that embodies what it means to design the future. Over the past two decades, Tampa has transformed through bold development and a thriving innovation ecosystem, including the award-winning redevelopment of Water Street. Its reinvention reflects the mission of this year’s conference: to inspire emerging leaders to create meaningful change and turn vision into action.

Conference Key Elements:

Registration for the CEO Global Conference is centralized. All chapters, advisors and student attendees should follow the procedures detailed in our registration guide to complete their registration. Should you require assistance at any point in the process, CEO Headquarters is available to help.

To register, participants must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Be an active CEO chapter member
• Be an active independent (at-large) CEO member
• Serve as a chapter advisor, faculty representative, or approved chaperone
• Be an approved judge, volunteer, or invited guest

All conference attendees must stay at the official conference hotel and must be part of the official Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization room block. Please confirm conference registration reservation before booking travel.

After the registration deadline, CEO will submit the rooming list to the hotel. Once the hotel provides confirmation numbers, CEO will forward those to the advisor.

Deadline: Oct. 8, 2026

If you are a college student, with the next BIG idea, or a successful startup, you qualify to compete in the largest and longest running business pitch competition, offering $20,000 in new venture prizes!

Deadline to Apply: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026
Applications will open in Summer 2026

The Chapter Awards Program is a great way for CEO Chapters and Individuals to apply and gain recognition for their accomplishments in entrepreneurship. CEO strongly encourages all of its chapters to apply and participate. The CEO Global Headquarters will consider applications for the following categories, but not all awards will be presented at the conference:

• Collegiate Entrepreneur of the Year
• Outstanding CEO Chapter Leader
• Outstanding CEO Chapter Advisor
• Global Chapter of the Year
• Outstanding Marketing & Social Media Award
• Best Cross Campus Innovation & Networking Award
• Outstanding Chapter Revenue Generating Initiative

Deadline to Apply: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026
Applications will open in Summer 2026

The Exhibit Hall is where opportunity meets action. Connect directly with leading entrepreneurial companies, explore internships and career pathways, and engage with CEO partners and ecosystem supporters who are shaping the next generation of business. This is your space to build meaningful connections — so bring your business card and be ready to network.

On Friday from 8:30 to 9:50 a.m., the Top 100 Global Pitch Competition finalists will exhibit their ventures for all conference attendees, offering a firsthand look at emerging innovations from across the country.

Additional Conference Details

Chapter Presidents/Faculty Advisors should consider submitting a conference attendance funding request to their University, Student Government or the Dean of the College of Business. Click the button below to find a letter template! 

Conference Funding Request