One element that makes Forrester’s workplace culture so unique is our shared love of music. From our first-floor instrument-stocked lunchroom to our employee “tiny concerts” to our conference rooms bearing the names of iconic bands and artists, Forrester — to echo a phrase from Peter Frampton — “comes alive” when music permeates the standard workday.
This same mentality applies to Forrester’s major happenings — namely, its global Summits and Forums. Throughout the years, we’ve been fortunate to have some of music’s greatest icons — Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band; Adam Levine of Maroon 5; Andy Grammer; Jennifer Hudson — get us out of our seats and on our feet at our major conferences in Phoenix, Austin, and Nashville, as well as virtually during the pandemic.
The ultimate goal of our events is to provide attendees with the latest original research, strategies, guidance, and tools to help them thrive in times of unprecedented change. In tandem, it’s our dynamic headline performers whose originality and talent further help to make our events must-attend experiences.
A crowd awaits a past featured performer at B2B Summit North America
As we prepare for B2B Summit North America 2026 in Phoenix at the end of April, the time seems right to look — and listen — back at some of the bands and artists that have graced our event stages over the years. They include:
Michael McDonald (2020): McDonald was an integral part of the band Steely Dan before being invited to join the Doobie Brothers in the mid-1970s. Serving as singer, keyboardist, and songwriter on such Top 40 singles as “Takin’ It to the Streets” and “What a Fool Believes,” McDonald’s solo career also saw a string of hits, including “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” and the Grammy-winning “Yah Mo B There.” In 2020, he was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Doobie Brothers.
Sheryl Crow (2020): This nine-time Grammy Award winner’s studio albums have sold 50 million copies worldwide, five of which were certified for multi-platinum sales. She has also seen 19 singles in the Billboard Hot 100 and has achieved more number-one singles in the Triple A listings than any other female artist.
Jewel (2021): Growing up in Alaska, Jewel began her performing career in San Diego before releasing her debut album, Pieces of You, which stayed on the Billboard 200 chart for two years and spawned the Top 10 hits “You Were Meant for Me,” “Who Will Save Your Soul,” and “Foolish Games.” To date, she has released 13 studio albums and 23 hit singles.
Black Pumas (2022): This Austin-based group earned Grammy Award nominations in 2020 for Best New Artist and in 2021 for Record of the Year and Album of the Year. In 2021, the group performed its single “Colors” — streamed more than 450 million times across multiple platforms — at the official inauguration of President Joe Biden.
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats (2023): Since its formation, this contemporary rock and soul band has released four studio albums — 2015’s Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, 2018’s Tearing at the Seams, 2021’s The Future, and 2024’s South of Here — all on Stax Records. In addition to sharing the stage with the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, the group has also performed on “Saturday Night Live,” “CMT Crossroads,” and NPR’s “Tiny Desk.”
Gary Clark Jr. (2024): A virtuoso guitarist, songwriter, and singer who blends multiple genres in his artistry, Austin native Gary Clark Jr. received his first Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Please Come Home” from his major-label debut album Blak and Blu. Clark’s 2019 album, This Land, secured three additional Grammy Awards. He has also collaborated with numerous musical icons, made stadium appearances supporting the Rolling Stones, and performed at the White House.
O.A.R. (2025): Founded in 1996, O.A.R. has released 10 studio albums, building a devoted fanbase that has helped the group quietly sell out multiple shows at New York City’s Madison Square Garden and Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre a dozen times. Blending rock, reggae, hip-hop, and jazz, O.A.R. has earned gold and platinum plaques, including a platinum certification for its top 40 hit “Shattered (Turn the Car Around).”
As you can see, from Rock and Roll Hall of Famers to Grammy nominees to million-album sellers, we strive for gold when it comes to providing our attendees with top-notch entertainment as part of their overall event experience. The question now becomes: Who will join this illustrious roster in 2026? Stay tuned — we’ll be announcing this year’s B2B Summit North America headline performer soon. Hope you can join us in Phoenix to check them out!
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