Mid-market leaders, this is the practical roadmap every CEO needs to grow at the pace of AI-fueled change. Join Chief Executive Group and VirtuousAI for a candid, interactive dialogue with two CEOs: one leading at the center of transformational technology, another actively charting a strategic AI roadmap for his company. Together, they’ll share hard-earned insights, effective strategies, and the lessons that matter most for leaders ready to put AI at the core of their business.
CEO, VirtuousAI
Founder & CEO, LUDEX
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CEO, VirtuousAI
Chris Happ is the CEO of VirtuousAI, where he’s pioneering a new era of execution for mid-market businesses with BAIO—the world’s first Business Automation, Intelligence & Outcomes platform. A serial entrepreneur and seasoned technology leader, Chris has spent his career transforming how companies operate, scale, and win with data.
Driven by a deep understanding of the challenges mid-sized businesses face, Chris launched VirtuousAI to close The Execution Gap, the costly distance between a company’s strategic goals and its ability to deliver. Under his leadership, VirtuousAI is redefining how businesses compete in the AI era: not by outspending the giants, but by out-executing them. His mission is to empower mid-market leaders to move faster, work smarter, and achieve measurable outcomes that drive sustainable growth.
Before founding VirtuousAI, Chris built and exited multiple successful ventures at the intersection of finance, supply chain, and enterprise software. His background blends deep operational knowledge with a visionary approach to automation and business intelligence, making him a trusted voice on the future of work, data, and strategic AI.
Connect with Chris:
VirtuousAI.com
IN: linkedin.com/in/clhapp
IG: @VirtuousAI_official
FB: https://www.facebook.com/VirtuousAIOfficial/
Founder & CEO, LUDEX
Brian Ludden is the founder and CEO of LUDEX, the tech platform transforming the card-collecting world with AI-powered tools that help collectors build and manage profitable portfolios. A lifelong card enthusiast and former college baseball player, Brian turned his childhood passion into a cutting-edge business that blends innovation with community.
Before launching LUDEX, Brian built and led high-performance trading teams, co-founding Wellington Capital Markets and later founding BFL LLC, which was acquired by Simplex Investments, where he served as Head of Index Options. Known for attracting top talent and scaling winning ventures, he’s brought the same leadership to revolutionizing the collectibles market.
A Northern Illinois University finance graduate and member of multiple Chicago trading exchanges, Brian also serves on the board of The Giving Project and has dedicated time to youth sports and nonprofit leadership.
Connect with Brian:
ludex.com
IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianludden/
IG: @ludexapp
FB: https://www.facebook.com/LudexApp
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
