GRIT Chicago 2025 - Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS GRIT CHICAGO 2025?
GRIT stands for Growth, Risk, Impact, and Transformation — and this event is a practitioner-only forum for corporate professionals in competitive intelligence, strategy, product marketing, innovation, risk, and transformation.
It’s designed to help you sharpen your thinking, expand your network, and learn from peers who’ve been in the trenches.
No vendors. No sponsors. No fluff. Just real conversations and meaningful insights.
WHO IS HOSTING THIS EVENT?
GRIT Chicago 2025 is proudly co-hosted by three leading organizations in the competitive and strategic intelligence space:
Aurora WDC – Experts in helping businesses uncover insights that drive smarter decisions in competitive and market dynamics.
Comintelli – A technology company providing award-winning intelligence software that helps organizations manage and make sense of market and competitive data.
Proactive Worldwide – A global research and consulting firm known for helping companies navigate uncertainty with intelligence-led strategy.
Together, we’ve designed GRIT as a vendor-free, practitioner-first event to foster real conversations, bold thinking, and actionable learning.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND GRIT?
GRIT is built exclusively for brand-side corporate professionals working in roles such as:
- Competitive Intelligence / Market Intelligence
- Corporate Strategy
- Innovation or Transformation
- Risk Management
- Product Marketing or Strategic Marketing
- Market Research or Insights
We intentionally keep it vendor-free so that everyone in the room speaks the same language and faces similar challenges.
IS THIS EVENT OPEN TO CONSULTANTS, VENDORS, OR SOLUTION PROVIDERS?
In short: No.
GRIT is a practitioners-only event. That means no consultants, agencies, or sales reps. If you’re not embedded inside a company making decisions and influencing outcomes, this event isn’t the right fit.
Even the three host companies are not there to pitch their services!
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE EVENT?
September 22–24, 2025
The Dalcy, in Chicago’s vibrant Fulton Market District
- Day 1 kicks off with an Optional architectural boat tour mid/late-afternoon.
- Day 2 is a full-day session in a single-track format, so no missed moments or FOMO
- Day 3 is a half day session, allowing you time to get home for dinner if you’re locally based or catch a flight back in the afternoon.
WHAT'S INCLUDED WITH REGISTRATION?
Your ticket includes:
- Access to all sessions and discussions
- Sept 23: Breakfast, lunch, refreshments during the event, and evening reception with cocktails and light food.
- Sept 24: Breakfast and late-morning snacks
- A powerful, practitioner-only network that extends beyond the event
WHAT'S THE EVENT FORMAT LIKE?
GRIT is not a vendor expo or passive lecture series.
It’s a curated experience of TED-style talks, panel conversations, and interactive sessions—designed for small-group sharing, candid insights, and peer learning.
We limit the event to 100 attendees so it stays intimate and impactful.
WHAT'S THE ROI FOR ATTENDING?
Attendees walk away with:
- Strategies and actions they can apply immediately
- Stories of wins (and fails) from peers in similar roles
- A network of trusted practitioners across industries
- Greater confidence when interacting with senior leadership
- Clarity on how to align intelligence work with growth, innovation, and risk planning
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
GRIT is designed to be affordable and accessible, especially compared to larger, sponsor-driven events.
- Pricing: $695 per attendee
- Architectural Boat Tour (optional Monday evening fun event): $50
Need some financial help: Contact any of the host companies to request a discount code!
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
There are several hotels within walking distance of The Dalcy in Fulton Market, including:
- The Hoxton | 200 N Green St | thehoxton.com
- Nobu Hotel Chicago | 155 N. Peoria St | nobuhotels.com/chicago
- Hyatt House West Loop | 105 N. May St | hyatthousechicagowestloop.com
- The Emily Hotel | 311 N. Morgan St | emilyhotel.com
OTHER HOTEL OPTIONS:
JW MARRIOTT
151 W Adams St | marriott.com
KIMPTON HOTEL PALOMAR
505 N State St. | hotelpalomar-chicago.com
THE PUBLISHING HOUSE
108 N. May St. | publishinghousebnb.com
PARK HYATT CHICAGO
800 N. Michigan Ave. | parkhyattchicago.com
HAMPTON INN AND SUITES WEST LOOP
116 N. Jefferson | hamptoninn.hilton.com
We don’t have an official room block. This gives you flexibility and choice based on your budget and preferences.
If you’re local, you can choose to rest in the comfort of our own bed.
WHAT'S THE DRESS CODE?
Think business casual with personality. We’re a no-pretenses kind of group. Bring your brain, not your blazer.
WHAT IF I HAVE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS OR ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS?
We’ve got you covered. You’ll be asked to note any dietary or accessibility accommodations upon arrival (if not before), and our team will make sure you’re well taken care of.
HOW DO I REGISTER?
On this site!
Remember: Only 100 seats are available, and we expect to sell out. Don’t wait!