Networking is one of the most consistently valued aspects of any Forrester event — and at our CX Forums, it’s intentionally designed that way. With attendance capped at roughly 400 participants, the Forums create an environment where conversations are easier to start and meaningful connections are easier to build.

The special programs at each event take that experience a step further. Thoughtfully curated to bring together people with shared roles, ambitions, and challenges, these programs create dedicated space for more candid conversation, career-building, and personal growth.

Here’s what attendees can expect from this year’s special programs.

Women’s Leadership Breakfast: Connection, Community, And Camaraderie

The Women’s Leadership Breakfast is a focused, intentional space that brings together women navigating similar leadership challenges. Participants engage in thoughtful discussion, gain practical leadership strategies, and build relationships that often extend well beyond the event itself.

The theme of this year’s session is Power, Trust, And Influence: A Women’s Lens On Leadership. A breakfast presentation will explore power dynamics from a woman’s perspective — specifically, the balance between professional-position power and personal power, including influence, persuasion, and connection. The presentation will be followed by roundtable discussions.

Future Leaders Program: Investing In Rising Talent

New this year, the Future Leaders program is a powerful opportunity for organizations to invest in high-potential, early-career professionals — and for those individuals to accelerate their growth through exposure to Forrester frameworks and experts in a small, focused setting.

This highly selective program brings together a small cohort — up to five participants at CX Forum West — who are nominated by senior leaders attending the Forum.* Participants receive a complimentary ticket to CX Forum and full access to keynotes, track sessions, and interactive experiences, along with networking opportunities curated specifically for this group.

For organizations, participating in the Future Leaders program is a chance to strengthen their talent bench and signal a commitment to developing the next generation of leaders. For attendees, it’s a chance to build confidence, expand professional networks, and gain insights that help set the foundation for long-term career success.

Executive Leadership Exchange: Peer Connection At The Highest Level

The invite-only Executive Leadership Exchange (ELE) is designed exclusively for C-suite leaders who want to learn from — and connect with — their peers. The intentionally limited participation ensures that conversations remain candid, relevant, and high-value.

The ELE experience centers on memorable, shared moments that remove the formality of the conference floor and create space for leaders to exchange perspectives, challenges, and strategies with others who truly understand the scope and complexity of their roles. This year’s CX West ELE attendees will enjoy a private food tour through San Francisco’s Ferry Building Marketplace, followed by a reserve wine tasting and truffle-making demonstration with chocolatier Michael Recchiuti. ELE participants also receive priority booking for one-on-one networking and guidance meetings with Forrester analysts.

Certification: Learn Together, Grow Together

For attendees looking to combine learning with structured peer interaction, the event certification program offers a uniquely collaborative experience. Certification participants move through the event with shared goals, attending selected sessions, engaging in guided practice, and applying Forrester frameworks together. This year’s CX Forum certification focuses on advancing from journey mapping to journey management — helping organizations move beyond static maps to using journeys as an operating system for continuous CX improvement. Those who complete the program requirements earn professional recognition in the form of a Forrester certificate and digital badge, signaling their ability to apply journey management practices in their organization. (Look for a deeper dive on CX Forum certification on the CX Forum West blog in the coming weeks.)

Meaningful Connections That Last

The relationships forged at CX Forum are more than just networking — they’re a catalyst for growth. By connecting with peers in focused, thoughtfully curated settings, attendees gain new perspectives and sharpen their focus, making the event’s content even more relevant and actionable. Special programs play an important role in this, offering environments where deeper conversations happen and lasting professional bonds are formed.

The first step to participating in this year’s special programs is to register for CX Forum West. You will then be able to stay up to date with the latest news about the onsite event experience.

We hope to see you there!

*Future Leaders program nominations close on May 12.