2026 Agenda

Each year’s agenda is committed to providing insight into current trends, operational best practices, and keys to driving enterprise value – all delivered by top experts in the space. The content is curated and tailored to reflect the interests of our attendees, yielding valuable data, actionable takeaways, and lasting relationships.

The 2026 Agenda is being refined and updated regularly due to the rapidly changing landscape.

October5

October6

October7

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Register & Revel — Check in, relax, and enjoy Ross Bridge Resort’s many offerings before the welcome reception

6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Welcome Reception and Dinner — Cocktails and dinner in the Hoover Ballroom

7:10 PM

The Great SaaS Reset: What Actually Matters and What Doesn’t
Victor Cheng – Founder & CEO, SaaSCEO.com

7:45 PM

Interactive Kickoffs

8:30 PM - 10:00 PM

Birds of a Feather – Network and enjoy time with your peers

6:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Breakfast — Please enjoy breakfast at your leisure

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Morning Trail Run — Enjoy the scenic beauty of Ross Bridge with a 3-mile jog along the local trail

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Putting Class — Hone your putting skills with personalized feedback from a Pro

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Morning Yoga — Wake up with a slow-flow yoga session on the Terrace

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Morning CrossFit WOD — Break a sweat with a high-intensity CrossFit-style workout led by professional US Women’s CrossFit athlete, Ellie Hiller

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM

Opening Remarks

9:15 AM - 9:45 AM

From Growth at All Costs to Profitable Growth A Look into Operator Playbooks

9:45 AM - 10:15 AM

Boardroom Reality Check — What Your PE Sponsor Really Expects Going into 2027

10:15 AM - 10:30 AM

What Every “A Player” Wants — Best Practices in Transferring Equity to Your Team

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Break

10:45 AM - 11:15 AM

CEO Blitz Sessions — CEO Stories of Successes, Failures, & Lessons Learned

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Scaling Smarter — Unlocking Growth Through AI-Powered Marketing

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

The Emotional Journey of a Process — A Founder’s Transition Story

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Networking Buffet Lunch

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Heads Up — Test Your Knowledge Against Your Peers

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Operational AI — Where Companies are Actually Driving ROI Today

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Wisdom of the Crowd — Real-time answers to participant questions

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Navigating Transaction Risks — High Value Lessons Learned from the Trenches

3:30 PM - 3:50 PM

Break

3:50 PM - 4:25 PM

AI Monetization — Pricing Models that Actually Work

4:25 PM - 4:50 PM

From Cashing Out to Lasting Wealth — Pressing Questions as you Plan for Liquidity

4:50 PM - 5:00 PM

Closing Announcements

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Rest, Recharge, & Connect

6:30 PM

Cocktail Reception — Cocktails on the Terrace

7:00 PM

Bama Bash — Relax with your peers while enjoying rich Southern cuisine, cigars, and the crisp October air

7:30 AM

Networking Breakfast

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Running a Process in a Choppy Market — Lessons from Recent Deals

8:30 AM - 9:05 AM

Tactical Insights from Over 100 AI-Software Development Lifecycle Transformations

9:05 AM - 9:40 AM

Non-dilutive Financing for Growth and M&A in a Turbulent Market

9:40 AM - 10:00 AM

Founder Burnout is Real — How Top CEOS Stay Sharp

10:00 AM - 10:20 AM

Break

10:20 AM - 10:50 AM

Building a Leadership Team That Can Survive/Thrive the Next 5 Years 

10:50 AM - 11:20 AM

The AI Readiness Checklist — The AI Questions Every PE Firm Will Ask

11:20 AM - 11:45 AM

The Value Creation Playbook — Intentionally Pursuing Enterprise Value for Optimization

11:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Wisdom of the Crowd — Real-time answers to participant questions

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Investor Hot Seat — Hear hard-hitting hot takes from investors who have seen it all

1:00 PM - 1:20 PM

Open Mic Takeaways & Action Plans

1:20 PM - 1:30 PM

Closing Remarks

1:45 PM

Shuttle Departure to Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport

6:00 PM

Silicon Y’all AfterGlow — Reflect on your learnings, conversations, and actionable takeaways around the dinner table with fellow participants who are staying in town Wednesday night

Formal events and activities end at 1:45 PM on Wednesday afternoon; however, participants are encouraged to stay longer and continue to build relationships, exchange ideas, and enjoy the natural and cultural beauty of the Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa.

Mentors & Speakers

Tony Summerville

Fleetio

Greg Galant

Muck Rack

Dave Finley

LeadsOnline

Joey Gilkey

TitanX

Scott Wozniak

Swoz Consulting

John Burdett

Fast Slow Motion

Michael Weinstein

Vista Equity Partners

Hannah Kim

Bessemer Venture Partners

Josh Roberts

Bridge Bank

Edgar Baum

Avasta

Shiv Narayanan

How to SaaS

Ross Croley

Greater Sum Ventures

Shegun Otulana

Harmony Venture Brands

Victor Cheng

SaaSCEO