For the past few years I've had the privilege of presiding over an annual event solely dedicated to elevating talent.

We claim it's the largest marketing and technology conference in the Midwest. But I think that's not doing justice to what really happens.

On one day, over roughly nine hours, almost 1,000 people will engage with speakers, ideas and each other.

It's exhausting yet sublime. You walk out armed with insights, leads, connections you didn't have -- and the means and motivation to make your personal and professional life better.

The 11th MIMA Summit takes place one week from today.

I just finished helping proof our program. It's during moments like proofing that the significance of the day begins to set in. The impressive roster of talent and opportunities assembling on October 10th includes:

A discussion of SoLoMo (Social Local Media) with the Chief Revenue Office of Fourquare.

The former Manager of Digital Partnerships and Social Media at The New York Times and founder of Foodspotting talks about emerging trends.

A 360-Degree View of Audience Targeting panel with the co-founder of Quantcast, the former CEO of About.com, the founder of AdExchanger.com and the co-leader of Compass Point Media.

Behind the scenes of the "KONY 2012" viral campaign (92 millions views on YouTube).

How to scale digital, with the Director of Digital Marketing at The Campbell Soup Company.

How to implement new social platforms, from the manager of Tablespoon.com, ClickZ's #3 top content marketer.

Six ways customer expectations influence design, with the Creative Director behind Nike's B2B sales ecosystem.

The founder of HARO (Help A Reporter Out) expounds on customer service as "the new PR."

The Director of Customer Experience at REI talks about the future of experience design.

These are a few of the 32 different sessions you could attend on October 10.

Never mind the morning keynote from gaming guru Jane McGonigal and the afternoon keynote from former Apple Chief Evangelist, Alltop.com founder and multiple best-selling author Guy Kawasaki.

If this sounds like your kind of investment, I can promise the cost of a ticket is worth it. We still have a few conference passes for sale.