Sales compensation is evolving faster than ever. With AI transforming performance tracking, usage-based pricing models gaining traction, and companies seeking smarter ways to motivate their sales teams, staying ahead of the curve has never been more critical.
Sales Comp '25 is where the brightest minds in sales compensation gather to tackle these exact challenges. Whether you're designing incentive strategies, managing revenue operations, or looking to optimize your commission processes, this three-day event brings together industry leaders and cutting-edge solutions that will shape the future of sales compensation.
What Is Sales Comp'25?
At its core, Sales Comp '25 is WorldatWork's premier conference for sales compensation and operations professionals. As one of the most specialized events in the space, attendees can expect deep-dive sessions, real-world case studies, and practical solutions from companies leading the transformation in sales compensation.
This isn't your typical corporate conference. Sales Comp '25 focuses on:
- Learning from industry experts and practitioners
- Networking with fellow compensation professionals
- Discovering cutting-edge tools and strategies
- Earning valuable recertification credits
When: August 11-13, 2025
Where: Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, Chicago, Illinois
The three-day format gives you plenty of time to dive deep into sessions while building meaningful connections with peers facing similar challenges.
Registration Details
Team Discounts: Special rates for groups of 3 or more
Cancellation Policy: Full refund available until July 11, 2025
Professional Benefits:
- Earn recertification credits for WorldatWork, HRCI, and SHRM certifications
- Access to exclusive content and session materials
- Year-round access to WorldatWork community resources
Previous conferences have welcomed professionals from leading companies across industries, including technology, financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Who Attends Sales Comp'25?
This conference attracts a focused community of compensation professionals who understand the unique challenges of designing, implementing, and managing sales incentive programs. You'll find yourself among:
- Directors and VPs of Sales Compensation who set strategic direction
- Sales Operations Leaders manage the day-to-day execution
- Revenue Operations Professionals optimizing the entire revenue engine
- Finance Executives involved in incentive planning and budgeting
- HR Leaders focused on total rewards and talent retention
The intimate size of this conference means you'll have genuine opportunities to connect with peers and learn from their experiences.
Getting There
Flying to Chicago:
- O'Hare International (ORD): 18 miles from hotel - Major international hub with frequent flights
- Chicago Midway (MDW): 12 miles from hotel - Often more convenient for domestic travel
- Airport express service is available from both airports
Public Transportation: The venue is perfectly connected to Chicago's public transit system:
- Grand Avenue Red Line station (5-minute walk from hotel)
- An extensive Metra commuter rail network for suburban connections
- Multiple bus routes serve the Magnificent Mile area
Driving: Chicago is accessible via major interstates: I-90, I-94, I-55, I-290, and I-294. However, parking can be expensive and traffic heavy, so public transit is often more convenient.
Where to Stay
Conference Hotel: Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
Address: 540 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60611
Book Early: Special conference rates are available until July 18, 2025, but rooms fill up quickly.
Important Details:
- Destination fee: $30 per night
- Valet parking: $76 per day
- Self-parking nearby: $58 per day
Why Stay at the Conference Hotel:
- Walk to all sessions without dealing with Chicago weather
- Easy networking with other attendees
- Guaranteed rooms at negotiated rates
- Support WorldatWork's ability to offer competitive conference pricing
Alternative Options: If the conference hotel is full, the Magnificent Mile area offers numerous hotels within walking distance. Just remember that August is peak tourist season in Chicago, so book early and expect higher rates.
Conference Schedule & Structure
Key Sessions You Can't Miss
This year's agenda features several standout sessions that directly address the current evolution in sales compensation:
Succeeding with Usage-Based Sales Compensation in the AI Era
Day: Monday, August 11 | Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Session Type: Deep Dive Session
Speakers: Seth Marrs (Forrester), Tatiana Silverman (Transportation Insight)
Experience Level: Intermediate
Why Attend: As more companies shift to consumption-based pricing, traditional compensation structures need a complete rethink. This session explores how AI can help create more dynamic, fair, and effective compensation plans.
Key Takeaways:
- Build effective usage-based compensation plans
- Learn from real-world case studies
- Gain peer strategies and insights
- Best practices for compensating sellers on usage-based models
Value Creation-Based Compensation
Day: Monday, August 11 | Time: 11:40 AM - 12:25 PM
Session Type: SC Talk
Speaker: Rick Butler (Vice President, Global Sales Compensation, ServiceNow)
Experience Level: Advanced
Key Focus: What if compensation were based on the value individuals create? This thought-provoking session explores a non-traditional approach to compensating employees, challenging conventional thinking much like a TED talk with interactive audience participation.
Key Takeaways:
- Explore alternative models to traditional job evaluation and pay range establishment
- Learn how to assess economic value and price sensitivity in compensation
- Compare and contrast traditional versus non-traditional methodologies for job evaluation and pay setting
- Participate in ranking exercises examining different professions through this value-based model
Mini Mastermind: 7 AI-Workflows to add to your Sales Comp Toolkit
Day: Monday, August 11 | Time: 12:55 PM - 1:20 PM
Session Type: Discussion
Speaker: Jose Aleman (Vice President, GTM Excellence, Everstage)
Experience Level: Intermediate
Key Focus: Power up your lunch break with a hands-on masterclass that reveals how AI transforms sales compensation, both in your existing spreadsheets and within leading ICM platforms. You'll explore real-life use cases, see live tool demos you can pilot today, and get a high-level blueprint for AI in ICM.
Key Takeaways:
- Dual-track AI roadmap: Begin with self-service AI through custom GPTs and assistants while equipping your ICM platform for future real-time calculations, anomaly detection, and automatic plan updates
- Plug-and-play AI toolkit: Deploy seven ready-to-use tools, including an AI-powered plan-design assistant, historical-analysis GPT, policy-adherence check GPT, and much more, without any platform integration
- Rep enablement, productivity, and communication: AI-driven workflows which give sellers instant plan insights, in-Slack research agents, and an intelligent policy coach so reps spend less time hunting for information and more time selling
SPIFs: Sales Rocket Fuel or Just Burning Cash?
Day: Monday, August 11 | Time: 1:15 PM - 1:40 PM
Session Type: Presentation
Speaker: Leo Rocha (Sr. Director, Compensation, CHG Healthcare)
Experience Level: Advanced
Why Attend: SPIFs can supercharge performance or drain budgets without results. This session introduces the SPIF Success Scorecard, a framework to evaluate when, how, and why to use SPIFs effectively.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how to use the SPIF Success Scorecard to evaluate effectiveness
- Design outcome-focused SPIFs that align with strategic goals
- Avoid SPIF fatigue with strategic implementation
- Focus on outcomes, ROI, and sales alignment
Sales Compensation Integration – Navigating M&A
Day: Monday, August 11 | Time: 3:50 PM - 4:30 PM
Session Type: Presentation
Speaker: Scott Sands (Senior Partner, Simon-Kucher)
Experience Level: Advanced
Why Attend: Few events drive more significant compensation changes than M&A. This session provides a time-tested playbook for navigating the complexities of merging different compensation philosophies and systems.
Key Takeaways:
- Identify common sales compensation pitfalls during mergers and acquisitions
- Learn how to align comp strategy with the deal's investment thesis
- Get a practical playbook for assessing and integrating sales comp post-deal
- Master change management during compensation transitions
Tracking to Action: Maximize Sales Compensation ROI with Performance Management
Day: Tuesday, August 12 | Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Session Type: Deep Dive Session
Speakers: Donald Hubbartt (Siemens), Taylor Toland (Hilton), Scott Werstlein (OpenSymmetry)
Experience Level: Intermediate
Why Attend: Modern sales compensation isn't just about paying commissions; it's about driving behaviors that generate ROI. Learn how to connect compensation data with performance management for comprehensive sales effectiveness.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn from real Performance Management Programs at leading companies
- Get take-home handouts for implementing similar programs
- Explore enhancements to sales compensation and performance programs
- Understand the role of practitioner teams in performance management
Sales Comp Brings Strategy to Life: A HPE Story
Day: Tuesday, August 12 | Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Session Type: Presentation
Speakers: Trent Akagi (VP Sales Compensation, HPE), Rachel Parrinello (Principal, Alexander Group)
Experience Level: Advanced
Why Attend: Hear directly from Hewlett-Packard Enterprise about their journey in transforming sales compensation strategy to align with business objectives and drive growth in a competitive market.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand how sales crediting influences seller behaviors
- Learn how to use measures and mechanics to drive strategic behaviors
- Explore strategies for handling mega deals effectively
- Gain insights on implementing major crediting and policy changes
Modernizing Sales Compensation: Lessons from a Legacy System Transformation
Day: Tuesday, August 12 | Time: TBD
Session Type: Case Study
Speakers: Angelina Chiesa (Sales Incentive Manager, Chamberlain Group), Jose Aleman (Vice President, GTM Excellence, Everstage)
Experience Level: Advanced
Key Focus: Many organizations struggle to realize their Sales Compensation vision with outdated ICM systems that create operational inefficiencies and limit strategic insights. This session examines a real-world transformation from legacy platforms to modern compensation technology, revealing practical strategies for navigating complex organizational change while maintaining business continuity.
Key Takeaways:
- Assess legacy system limitations: Identify key indicators that signal when compensation technology needs upgrading, and build a compelling business case for change
- Navigate complex migrations: Proven strategies for managing transitional states, data integrity, and organizational buy-in during system transformations
- Measure transformation impact: How modern compensation systems can deliver measurable ROI through operational efficiency and strategic talent insights
- Build cross-functional alignment: Actionable tactics for engaging HR, Finance, and Sales leadership in compensation modernization initiatives
Compensating for Consumption: Sales Compensation in a Usage-Based Pricing World
Day: Wednesday, August 13 | Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Session Type: Presentation
Speakers: Bhushan Goel (VP, Solutions & Chief Incentive Architect, Everstage), Tony Liu (GTM Strategy & Ops Lead, Incentives, Plaid)
Experience Level: Intermediate
Why Attend: As SaaS companies increasingly adopt usage-based pricing models, compensation plans must evolve accordingly. This session provides practical frameworks for designing compensation that works in a consumption-driven world.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand the unique challenges of usage-based pricing for sales compensation
- Reimagine incentive structures to align with a usage-based model
- Learn proven strategies to design compensation plans that drive success
- Get practical tips for navigating change and keeping teams motivated
Meet Everstage at Sales Comp '25
As companies evolve their commission strategies, having the right technology becomes essential. Everstage is a modern Sales Performance Management (SPM) platform that automates commission workflows, replacing spreadsheets and legacy systems with real-time visibility and transparency. With a 4.9/5 rating from 2,000+ reviews on G2 and Gartner, Everstage is trusted by enterprises worldwide, including Gray TV, Diligent, Trimble, and Docebo, to align incentives with business goals.
We'll be at Booth #3!
Stop by our booth to:
- Discuss your specific sales compensation challenges with our experts
- Learn how leading companies are transforming their commission processes
- See live demos of our latest AI-powered features
- Grab some cool swag and surprise gifts
Join Us for an Exclusive After Party!
Last year's yacht party in San Francisco was nothing short of epic, cruising the Bay Area with breathtaking Golden Gate Bridge views while connecting with the best minds in sales compensation. The energy was incredible, the conversations were unforgettable, and the memories? They're still talked about today.
This year, we're bringing that same energy and excitement to Chicago! Get ready for another spectacular evening on Monday, August 11th.
Stay tuned for details, this is one party you won't want to miss!
