What does the phrase “Level Up” mean to you? Think about it for a second.
If you’re a business owner, it could mean generating more revenue or getting acquired. If you’re an employee, then it’s the long-overdue promotion coming your way any second now. If you’re one of my kids, it probably has something to do with earning more XP in Fortnite.
For us at SubSummit, it’s about unlocking your full potential as an individual through conversations you can’t have anywhere else and ideas you never thought were possible.
Because that’s what leveling up is ultimately all about. It’s growth. Progress. Taking the next step in your journey, both professionally and personally.
And here’s the truth: You can’t do it all on your own staring at your laptop or locked in a meeting room for hours. Most professionals agree, with 70% saying they favor in-person events for training and resources. In the subscription commerce sector — whether it’s membership, loyalty, rewards, or beyond — they all come to SubSummit, and so should you.
I’ll be very transparent with you: I don’t love when events boast the fact that you can “meet 30,000+ peers.” That’s logistically impossible, and it also feels like a nightmare, between you and me.
We’re going to have more than 2,000 attendees at SubSummit this year, and our plan is to help you meet as many people as humanly possible without it feeling overwhelming or worse, salesy. We also work hard to help you meet the RIGHT people.
That’s why, throughout the three days we’ll be together, you’ll be invited to several sub-events that facilitate connections with people you’ll relate to:
SubSummit hosts activities that you’d expect at most conferences, like speaker sessions, touring the expo hall, and networking. But that’s not all this event is about. It’s also about taking the edge off and meeting new people who share common goals with you.
And from personal experience, almost every profitable business venture I’ve been a part of can be traced back to a casual conversation outside of work. I’ve started more than a dozen businesses and this is true every single time.
The Welcome Reception is the starting point of connections you didn’t even know you needed. Maybe it’s a future collaborator, maybe it’s a new friend — or maybe it’s just a good story to share later. It’s where unexpected friendships are formed and familiar faces see each other again.
Remember the “networking in a professional setting” I mentioned earlier? That’s our Hosted Meetings Program.
It’s an AI-driven merchant and supplier matchmaking system, designed to grow your network and tap into technologies and services you otherwise wouldn’t have known. The VP at Bobbie, summed it up perfectly:
“I met with someone today who has a technology solving multiple issues we’re facing. I probably never would have found this company otherwise.”
This year, we’ll cultivate more than 3,000 meetings during the conference, almost double what we had in 2024. It’s the biggest 1-on-1 meetings program in subscription commerce, and we intend to keep it that way.
Whether you’re a DTC brand or a solution provider, this is the program you want to tell your boss about when they ask you why you should attend.
Last year, I heard this great story. A CMO from a subscription box told someone on my team about a new retention tactic she was going to try thanks to the SVP of Marketing at Paramount+’s talk.
That’s the beauty of the Women in Subscription Meetup — and SubSummit in general. It doesn’t matter what vertical you’re in. We gather everyone in subscription commerce so that you can exchange ideas and get inspiration from companies you never thought about learning from!
When we checked in with the CMO from the subscription box, she told us that her team reported a 10% decrease in churn in Q4. Pretty amazing what a fresh perspective can do, huh?
As an attendee, you’ll receive an official invitation to be part of this year’s SubSummit Awards & After-Party – the most fun night in all of DTC. Cheesy tagline? Maybe. But that doesn’t mean it’s not true.
This is the most attended event at SubSummit, and we’re taking things to the next level in 2025 with a world-famous headliner taking the stage and a fully re-imagined venue.
As for the awards part of the event, we’re currently accepting nominations for the awards show across seven categories:
If you can’t tell by now, there’s a lot planned for this year’s SubSummit. And we don’t expect you to remember it all, which is why we’ve created an interactive app (to be released closer to the conference) that can be used as a virtual event map to help you make the most of the event.
Here’s what you can do on there:
Every session is carefully crafted to make sure you’re walking away with something real. Maybe it’s one takeaway, maybe it’s five, but you’re always leaving with actionable insights that can help you (cue super-cool theme music)… Level Up.
Whenever we bring speakers on board, we always ask them one question at the end of a call: “What takeaways will our attendees leave with from your session?”
It’s part of our speaker selection process: if they’re not willing to share their cheat codes, we don’t book them.
At SubSummit 2025, you’ll have access to five content stages, four inspiring keynote speakers, three dedicated track rooms, two workshops, and a partridge in a pear tree.
Year after year, the SubSummit main stage has hosted some of the sharpest minds in recurring revenue, sharing insights that stick with you long after the event.
Some of the best advice I’ve ever heard given on the stage was from the SVP and General Manager of Walmart+ : “Be a member, not only of your own program but of your competing programs.”
There’s also this gem from the Founder and CEO of Rocket Money: “The likelihood to resubscribe goes up when it’s easier to cancel.”
And then one of my favorite marketing gurus, Nancy Harhut, dropped some Knowledge with a capital K last year: “People do strange things, don’t they? They walk into a wine store to buy wine. They walk out with French wine if the music is French, they walk out with German wine if it’s German. It turns out that science has a great explanation as to why: Up to 95% of purchase decision making takes place in the subconscious mind.”
Okay, now I’m thirsty, but I’m also reminiscing on the wealth of knowledge we’ve seen being shared on the SubSummit main stage over the years. And I can’t wait to share with you what we have in store for 2025!
This is where the magic happens.
Workshops and panels go beyond surface-level ideas to give you real strategies that you can put into practice as soon as you get back to the office.
Last year, these panels and workshops were real standouts according to attendees:
And those are just some highlights.
This year, you’ll see even more from leaders like the General Manager of E-Commerce at Dr. Squatch, the Chief Commercial Officer at ButcherBox, and the VP of Digital & Customer Experience at illy Caffè.
The intention behind our Tabletalks program is simple: Help you be part of a live, in-person mastermind group.
We handle all the heavy lifting – putting together 250+ people and hand-selecting topics that matter most to you. All you have to do is pull up a chair and sit down with people like the Director of Demand Generation at Peacock, the SVP of Product Innovation at Jazzercise, and the Principal Commercial Product Manager at Alaska Airlines.
This year, the topics are just as exciting (and we’re fleshing out more as I’m typing this – yay multitasking):
Yes, we already talked about this program, but it checks so many boxes that it’s worth revisiting again – this time for what they bring to the table in knowledge-sharing.
The Voice of Customer at Harry’s told us that this program was “the biggest gift because the conversations were strategic, thoughtful, and in line with what I wanted from the conference.“
That’s the magic of Hosted Meetings. Each conversation builds your knowledge base and opens doors to new opportunities. They’re designed to make sure you leave SubSummit with the right tools to help your business… Say it with me this time… LEVEL UP!
Let’s be honest. Meeting people is not the only reason you’re coming to SubSummit. You’re here to grow your business, boost your bottom line, and make things happen.
Whether it’s for yourself or your company (no judgment either way), we get it and we want to help, whether you are a DTC brand (merchant) or an industry solution provider (supplier).
This year, we’re switching things up with an extended timeline, and it’ll be a game-changer for you.
Instead of rushing from one session to the next, you’ll get the chance to sit with your ideas, talk them over with others, and start planning how to make them work for you. Whether it’s a Tabletalks discussion or a big workshop, the extra time is all about helping you leave SubSummit ready to take action.
The expo hall is the heart of SubSummit. This space is home to a lineup of industry-leading partners showcasing the latest products, services, and innovations shaping the future of subscription commerce.
It’s more than just browsing booths — every connection you make has the potential to help your business grow. Whether you’re trying to make things more efficient, wow your customers, or boost your revenue, the Expo Hall is where you’ll find the tools and people to make it happen.
If you’re not coming with your team, first of all: why not? Second of all, you can skip this section.
There’s a lot going on at SubSummit, and bringing people with you can make a big difference because it allows you to attend every session, meet more potential partners, and strategize on site.
That’s exactly why we’re offering private meeting rooms for teams of five or more, so you can have a space designed to help you connect, collaborate, and realign in a way that’s both productive and personal.
The Hosted Meetings Program helps you bypass the noise of 2,000+ attendees and connects you directly with solutions that align with your business needs and goals.
Trying to scale your operations? The Hosted Meetings are for you.
Looking to fine-tune your marketing strategy? Yep, those meetings have you covered, too.
Or maybe you’re thinking about launching a subscription model and need some guidance? Hosted Meetings are where you’ll get the connections and find the technology to do just that.
Oh, and did I mention you get a free ticket and $750 in travel reimbursement if you get approved into the program?
The Hosted Meetings Program is a no-brainer for any solution provider looking to connect with new clients. Seriously – how great does it sound to show up at the event with 10+ meetings with qualified leads already lined up?
Whether your ideal customers are subscription boxes, subscribe & save brands, or you’re trying to branch out into new areas, this is the place to find those people.
And the best part? Our software uses a double opt-in process, so you’re only meeting with people who actually want to talk to you. No-brainer, right?!
The idea for SubSummit was simple: to bring the entire subscription commerce industry together. A decade later, SubSummit has become nothing short of the beating heart of an industry that’s transforming the way we shop, connect, and grow.
Don’t just take my word for it, though.
Join us in Dallas this May to grow your network, knowledge, and business. Let’s make SubSummit 2025 the most unforgettable event yet.
