2025 Attendee Guide

(last updated - 09/19/25)

On October 7-10 we’ll gather in West Chester, Pennsylvania for the annual Innovation Network Gathering. This page is a checklist and guide to help you prepare and maximize your experience.

If you’re looking for any event logistical information, you’ll find it here.


Jump to Section:

  1. Check Out the Conference Schedule (jump to section)

  2. Book Your Accommodation (jump to section)

  3. Learn about the Main Program and Breakouts (jump to section)

  4. RSVP for the Innovators Dinner reception and select an entree (jump to section - NEW)

  5. Share your Dive Team Topic preference (jump to section - NEW)

  6. FAQs (jump to section)

  7. Download the Official Conference App (TBA)

1) Get Familiar with the Gathering Schedule

Here is a overview the Gathering to help you plan your travels.

When should I arrive?

For the full experience, we suggest arriving on Tuesday, October 7 around mid-day or early afternoon. There will be opportunities to meetup with other attendees at various social gatherings that evening.

When does the Gathering begin?

Registration check-in starts 8:15am at the Uptown Knauer center on Wednesday, October 8. The first main session beings promptly at 9:00am.

When does the Gathering conclude?

Please plan for the final main stage session to end on Thursday, October 9 after the closing party and award ceremony, around 6:00pm.

When should I depart?

For the full experience, we suggest traveling on Friday, October 10th. For anyone sticking around, there will be a final opportunity to meetup with other attendees for conversation around breakfast/brunch around town.

Program Day 1:
Wednesday, October 8

Program Day 2:
Thursday, October 9

2) Book Your Accommodations

When to Arrive
For the full experience, we suggest arriving on Tuesday, October 7 around mid-day or early afternoon. There will be opportunities to meetup with other attendees at various social gatherings that evening.

When to Depart
For the full experience, we suggest traveling on Friday, October 10th. For anyone sticking around, there will be a final opportunity to meetup with other attendees for conversation around breakfast/brunch around town.

UPDATE: Partner hotel discounts have passed. We added some additional options below that might fit better with budget considerations.

Official Partner Hotel: The Hotel Warner

120 N High St, West Chester, PA 19380
(Google maps link)

Official Partner Hotel: Hotel Indigo

39 E Gay St, West Chester, PA 19380
(Google maps link)

Alternative Hotel Options

Not as close as our partner hotels but good options especially if you have budget considerations. (Both are close to the dinner reception on day 1).

Sheraton Great Valley Hotel
707 Lancaster Ave, Frazer, PA 19355

Hampton Inn Philadelphia/Great Valley/Malvern
635 Lancaster Ave, Frazer, PA 19355

Our Gathering Point: West Chester, Pennsylvania

Unlike most conferences we’ll be meeting at multiple venues throughout this charming and historic town for the Innovation Network Gathering.

Gathering Venues

All within 5 minutes walking from one another.* Select any “icon” on the map to view a Gathering venue.

Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center - Main Stage Sessions
226 N High St

Chester County History Center - Breakout venue
225 N High St

align.Space - Whale Tank venue
2 W Market St

Mayday Coffee - Breakout venue
123 N High St

Windish Entertainment - Breakout venue
4 W Prescott Alley

Hotel Warner - Partner hotel and Breakout venue
120 N High St

Hotel Indigo - Partner hotel
39 E Gay St

Más Mexicali Cantina - VIP Closing Party
102 E Market St

*Loch Aerie Mansion - Cocktail and Dinner reception venue
700 Lancaster Pike, Malvern

Only venue not in walking distance. Shuttle service will be provided.

3) Main Program and Breakouts

Main Stage Talks

Each day we’ll gather together as a community in the Uptown Knauer Center to learn and get inspiration. This year’s lineup will be announced soon but here are some talk titles of topics we’ve covered in past Gatherings:

Meals and Meetups

The best part about the Gathering is making an authentic connection with someone and leaving with a key relationship in the sector that goes well beyond the event. We create several opportunities throughout the entire Gathering to spark these connections:

  • Meetups: join casual hangs from the time you arrive until after the main program ends. Chat about relevant topics and find fellow attendees that share common interests.

  • Meals: don’t forget, the best conversations usually happen around a meal. We host special meals like a seated dinner reception, lunch around town, and more.

In case you were wondering — Yes! Most of your meals are actually included in your registration.

Program Streams

(choose your adventure during breakout periods)

Dive Teams

Get matched and join a small work group to tackle topics and deep questions within our industry. Here’s an example of the topics we’ll be working together on:

  • AI

  • Technology & Services Quality

  • Patient Experience

  • The Sites Experience

  • Protocol Design

*Those that choose this program stream will receive instructions on how to convey your topic preferences so we can match you with an appropriate Dive Team.

View Dive Team topics for 2025 here >>

Navigate Workshops

Navigate is a professional development track designed for managers and leaders seeking to enhance their impact in both life and work.Through expert-led workshops, Navigate equips participants with essential skills in leadership, innovation, and strategic thinking.

Sessions explore topics such as career transitions, agile methodologies, personal branding, futurism thinking, change management, creative brainstorming, and cross-functional leadership. With a focus on practical tools and real-world application, Navigate serves as a compass for charting a more effective and fulfilling professional path.


View this year’s Navigate workshops lineup here >>

Whale Tank

Whale Tank is a showcase for innovators who want to raise awareness of their breakthrough offerings.

We bring together tech companies, investors, clinical trial sponsors and experts to give powerful feedback and gauge which innovators are making the biggest impact on the clinical research field.

Learn more about Whale Tank here >>

Not sure what program stream to choose during breakouts? Our team will be happy to get on a quick call to help you choose the one that best matches your interests.

4) Innovators Dinner Reception
RSVP + Entree Selection

Wednesday, October 8th from 6:30pm - 8:30pm

RSVP and pick your entree for our seated dinner. A cocktail hour presented by Medidata, will take place prior to dinner.

5) Dive Team Topic Preference

For attendees that selected “Dive Teams” as their breakout and are not already assigned to a team.

Share with us what topics interest you the most that you’d like to tackle at the Gathering.

Have questions? Need assistance?

Don’t hesitate to reach out and someone from our team will get back to you soon.

Attendee FAQs

  • Yes! We’ve secured a special discount for rooms (single king/double queens) at the Hotel Warner and Hotel Indigo. Booking details above.

    IMPORTANT:     cutoff date 8/30 (or if booked out)

  • The closest airport is Philadelphia International (PHL) which is 23 miles away.

    Other airports to consider (but much farther) are Baltimore (BWI) and Newark (EWR)

  • Yes! Every venue we use for the Gathering is walking distance from each other. Nothing is more than 7 minute walk.

  • Something more than casual but less than business.

    You might want to bring a slightly dressier outfit to change into for dinner on Thursday night.

    Don’t forget, we’ll be walking outside between venues so make sure to check the weather and bring appropriate footwear and clothing for inclement weather (layers).

  • We suggest using the Chestnut Street Garage (a block and a half from the main venues).

    If you’re staying at the Hotel Warner, temporarily park at the hotel garage and check in to your room first with the hotel. Tell them that you would like to use the Chestnut St. garage and they will give you a discounted rate of $5/night to park there.

  • For those registered under the Dive Team track: as we near the Gathering, we’ll reach out with a survey that will help us match you with the best possible team.

  • Let us know how we can help by emailing the Attendee Concierge, Jedd Chang.

    --> jedd@smithandjonesinnovation.com