Know Before You Go: Your Guide to Navigating IAPP’s Global Privacy Summit Like a Pro

If you’re headed to Washington, D.C. for the IAPP Global Privacy Summit next week, you’re in for one of the most energizing—and let’s be honest, slightly overwhelming—privacy events of the year. Whether it’s your first time attending or you’re a returning regular, there’s always something new to discover at the Summit: cutting-edge policy discussions, incredible hallway conversations, and just the right amount of swag.

As a multi-year attendee (and someone who’s moderating a panel this year on health tech privacy), I’ve picked up a few tips along the way. Consider this your “know before you go” cheat sheet—equal parts practical advice, insider tips, and reminders to make the most of your experience. Let’s dive in.

1. Get Strategic With Your Schedule (and Use the IAPP App!)

You’ll quickly realize there are more sessions than you can possibly attend—and that’s a good thing. But it also means you need to plan ahead. Download the IAPP Summit app and use it to build your schedule in advance. That way you’re not scrambling to choose between overlapping panels when you’re already in the Convention Center hallway.

Pro tip: Some sessions fill up fast. Arrive early if there’s something high-profile you’re really excited about. Also, don’t forget to get your badge scanned at every session you attend—this is how you earn Continuing Privacy Education (CPE) credits!

2. Pick Panels That Spark Real Curiosity

You’ll find the full range here—from cross-border data transfers and AI governance to health privacy, adtech, and emerging state laws. Focus on panels where you know you’ll learn something new, challenge your thinking, or walk away with practical ideas you can apply back home.

Here are my top 5 panel picks!

Adtech Privacy: Pay, OK, Another Way? (11:00-12:00 PM on Wednesday)

One of the great things about GPS is the number of regulators you’ll get to hear from. As someone who has worked in and advises adtech clients, I’m particularly interested to hear from the UK ICO and DPC Ireland on how they are thinking about adtech data protection and the compliance of different business models with the GDPR and Digital Markets Act.

Decoder Live: Consumer Protection in Transition (1:00-1:45 PM on Wednesday)

As the host of The Abstract Podcast, I’m curious to attend a live podcast recording. I’m also interested in hearing the Editor in Chief of The Verge interview two recent Democratic FTC Commissioners who argue that they were illegally fired by President Trump.

From Workouts to Well-being: Privacy in the Age of Wearables and Health Apps (2:30-3:30 PM on Wednesday)

For this conversation I’ll be moderating a conversation between my friend Meredith Halama, Partner at Perkins Coie, and Christina Moncrief of Therabody and Kara Coen of Maven Clinic. We’re going to have an in depth conversation around wearables, sensitive health information, and the latest trends in regulation of health tech. I hope to see you in the audience!

Tech in a New Era (4:15-5:15 PM on Wednesday)

Don’t skip out for happy hour too early! Jules Polonetsky, CEO of the Future of Privacy Forum, is one of the smartest and most rational thinkers in the privacy ecosystem. He’ll be interviewing policy leaders from Google and Palantir on where the digital governance space is headed during the second Trump Administration. I try to attend pretty much anything Jules is speaking at. (And you can hear his interview on my podcast if you want to learn more about his career.)

Closing General Session (10:45-12:00 PM on Thursday)

Stick around to hear Sam Altman, CEO and Co-Founder of OpenAI and Co-Founder of Tools for Humanity in conversation with Alex Blania, CEO and Co-Founder of Tools for Humanity, and Bojana Bellamy, President of the Centre for Information Policy Leadership.

3. Prioritize Real Conversations (Not Just Business Cards)

It’s easy to fall into the “see and be seen” trap at a big conference, but here’s a better goal: aim to have three meaningful conversations each day. Whether it’s someone you’ve followed on LinkedIn for a while, a speaker whose session blew your mind, or someone you’re standing next to in the coffee line—take the extra minute to ask a real question and make a real connection.

Privacy is a small world. That person might become your next colleague, client, or go-to expert down the line.

4. Set Up Coffee or Vendor Meetings in Advance

Calendars fill up fast during the Summit. If you’re hoping to meet with outside counsel, clients, prospective hires, or privacy tech platforms—don’t wing it. Reach out now and get those coffee meetings or happy hour meetups on the calendar.

The Marriott Lobby Bar and on-site Starbucks are two unofficial hotspots where people tend to gather between sessions. Don’t be surprised if you run into half your LinkedIn feed there.

And don’t forget to swing by DataGrail’s booth (#103) for complimentary craft coffee or a matcha latte, swag you will want to take home, and the energy boost you need for a packed summit.

5. Walk the Exhibit Hall Floor (Yes, for Swag—But Also Insight)

The exhibit hall isn’t just for giveaways (though, yes, do grab PrivacyWise socks if you see us!). It’s also the best way to get a feel for the tech ecosystem evolving around privacy. From consent management to data mapping to AI governance solutions, this is your chance to see what tools companies are building to solve the challenges we’re all wrestling with.

6. Don’t Skip the Social Side of the Summit

Yes, the sessions are valuable. But some of the best networking and idea-sharing happens outside the panels—at receptions, happy hours, and late-night chats. A few can’t-miss ones:

• LGBTQ+ Allies Party aka “Defyning Privacy” (Wednesday Night) – Always a warm, inclusive, high-energy space to connect with amazing folks across the industry. And for a good cause as well!
• Vendor-sponsored Happy Hours – These pop up throughout the week and are often a great chance to meet people in a more relaxed setting.
• Unstructured Dinners – Grab dinner or drinks with new acquaintances!

If you’re not sure where to go, just ask someone! The community is welcoming and usually eager to bring others along.

7. Pack Smart (Umbrella Included)

Washington, D.C. weather in April can be unpredictable—bring a small umbrella just in case a spring shower rolls through while you’re hustling between venues or out to dinner.

And while we’re at it: wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking more than you think, especially if you’re bouncing between hotels or making the most of your networking opportunities.

8. Rest When You Can—But Show Up Fully When It Matters

It’s tempting to try to do it all. But Summit week can be a marathon. Give yourself permission to skip a panel if you need a breather, or duck out early one evening. At the same time, make sure you’re present for the moments that really matter—whether it’s a session you’ve been looking forward to or a one-on-one with someone you rarely see in person.

9. Be Intentional. Be Kind. Be Curious.

This community thrives on openness, collaboration, and a shared commitment to building a better privacy future. Show up with curiosity, listen deeply, and be generous with what you know. Share insights. Introduce people to each other. Say thank you to panelists and volunteers.

Those small moments of kindness ripple far beyond the event.

10. See You There!

I’ll be at the Summit all week, representing PrivacyWise & SpotDraft and moderating a panel on health tech privacy—a space where innovation, data, and regulation intersect in fascinating ways. I’d love to connect, so please don’t hesitate to say hello if you see me around.

Until then, safe travels, and happy packing. IAPP’s Global Privacy Summit is more than a conference—it’s a community. And if you lean into it, you’ll leave energized, informed, and better connected than when you arrived.

Schedule a conversation on-site at IAPP with the DataGrail team to engage with privacy pros on the latest regulations and learn how to take your privacy program to the next level and reduce risk in your business.