CEO NEXUS CONFERENCE 2026
March 12, 2026 — Lake Mary, FL
Register for the 2026 Conference
The 2026 CEO Nexus Conference includes a full dinner buffet, a keynote presentation and an evening networking opportunity that includes specialty spirits and wine tasting.
Early Bird Member Rate is $475 plus 3% ($489.25) until 12/31/25
— Members please see your email or contact your roundtable facilitator for your discounted registration link.
Overview
The 2026 Conference will include a mix of member-driven presentations, panel discussions, business best practices, networking exercises, and select Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). This event is designed to provide new and practical information you can use to move your business forward and enhance your personal growth.
The event will take place at the Lake Mary Events Center on Thursday, March 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Based on member feedback, the 2026 conference will see several changes to better accommodate participants including a return to a Q1 event date, a one-day format, additional networking opportunities to encourage greater engagement among attendees and a new location with more space, improved sound, and convenient parking. We look forward to sharing more information soon.
To view sponsorship opportunities, click here.
To view the Lake Mary Events Center address and floor plan, click here.
To listen to a brief overview of what the 2026 conference will include, click here.
Audio - CEO Nexus 2026 Conference Overview
Agenda
Thursday, March 12, 2026*
| 8:00 AM | Registration | |
| 9:00 AM | Welcome | |
| 9:30 AM | Breakout Session #1 | |
| 10:30 AM | Breakout Session #2 | |
| 11:30 AM | Networking | |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch and Recognition | |
| 12:45 PM | Lunch Panel | |
| 2:15 PM | Scheduled Break | |
| 2:30 PM | Breakout Session #3 | |
| 3:30 PM | Breakout Session #4 | |
| 4:30 PM | Scheduled Break | |
| 5:00 PM | Dinner and Recognition | |
| 5:45 PM | Dinner Panel | |
| 7:15 PM | Session Recap | |
| 7:30 PM | Networking Under the Stars – Tasting on Veranda | Beer/Bourbon/Specialty Spirits/Whiskey/Wine |
| 9:30 PM | Conference Ends |
Breakout Table Topics
The 2026 conference will address a broad range of business best practices. Each breakout table session will last one hour. Attendees may select one breakout table topic per session for a total of four sessions. Early-bird registrants will have the first opportunity to select their breakout table topics.
The opportunity to select breakout table topics will occur later, upon completion of the registration process. *
- To view the table topic room layout map, click here for PDF (or click the image).
- To view the profiles of table topic presenters, see below (click on their name).
LEADERSHIP / MANAGEMENT
Manager Enablement: Turning Accidental Supervisors into Confident Leaders
Jordan George, Senior Partner, HR Soul
Lauren Arevalo, Orlando Branch Mgr., Apple One
A Cohesive Executive Team: How to Ensure Your Team is Fully Aligned and Engaged
Laura Gallaher, Ph.D., CEO, Gallaher Edge
Unfolding Potential: Transforming Individual Impact into Team Power
Deb Dixson, Leadership Vision Consulting
The Importance of Performance Rhythms for Thriving Businesses and Thriving Lives
Lauren Hodges, CEO, Performance on Purpose
What Each Generation Expects of Your Business’ involvement in the Community (Gen X, Y, Z)
Mark Brewer, CEO, Central Florida Foundation
FINANCE
Access to Capital: Banking and Finance Options to Fuel the Growth of Your Business
Ralph Betancourt, President, First Colony Bank
When Does a Fractional CFO Make Sense and How to Integrate with Existing Accounting Team
Russell Slappey, CEO, and Managing Partner, Nperspective
How to Turn OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) Tax Changes into a Competitive Advantage
Geoffrey Gallo, Partner, H&CO,
Mohamedraza Manji, CPA, Tax Supervisor, H&CO
Internal Controls: Is Your Business Vulnerable to Theft or Misleading Financials?
Christine Noll-Rhan, CPA, Partner, CRI Advisors (Melbourne, FL)
OPERATIONS
Outgrow: A Proven Sales Accountability System for Winning Market Share and Revenue 15-30%
John King, Certified EOS Implementer
Running on Facts, Not Feelings: Lessons from The Data Component of EOS /Traction
Dave Riley, Certified EOS Implementer
STRATEGIC PLANNING / RISK MANAGEMENT
The Innovation Track: Why Good Companies Stop Growing—and How to Fix It
Tom O’Neal, Professor, University of Central Florida
TECHNOLOGY
AI Agents: Building a CFO Agent for Your Business
Loren Horsager, CEO, Model Mind AI
Beyond the AI Hype: Building Your Strategic Technology Foundation First
John Ohlwiler, CEO, Sentry Technology Solutions
“Where’s the Leak?” — Finding Hidden IT Costs That Are Draining Your Bottom Line
Matt Rose, Chief Experience Officer, Tech Rage IT
Developing an AI Strategy to Improve Customer Retention and Operations for Your Business
Pete McAlindon, Ph.D., Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Rollins College
Jay Liebowitz, Ph.D., Founding Dir., Center for AI-EDGE, Rollins College
A CEO’s Tech Stack for Stress-Free Living
Erich Hanson, Founder / CEO / Visionary, August Ash
HR / TALENT
The New Age of Outsourcing: How to Adapt to the Changing Labor Landscape
Steve Schad, President, Optima HR Solutions
Compensation Plans That Drive Better Employee Performance and Retention
Joe Raymond, CEO, RVR Consulting
Team Building Analytics: Appling Behavioral and Cognitive Insights to Enhance Performance
Dolly Penland, Business Results
MARKETING / SALES / MEDIA
The New Search Reality: How to Be Found in AI Results
Shalyn Dever, Co-Founder, Engineer, and Fractional CMO, Chatter Buzz Media
Navigating the New Normal: Winning Federal and International Contracts in a Complicated World
Brian Mills, Maynard Nexsen PC,
Mindi Hertzog, Florida High Tech Corridor
How to Use Market Research to Find New Customers
Stephanie Kempton, President, Kempton Research
How to Establish Repeatable and Predictable Sales Processes Key to Scaling a Business
Shannon Muniz, Founder & President, Strategic Sales Management
Customer Profiles: How to Capture and Map What Drives Buyer Behavior
Ken Theriot, CEO, The Riot Agency
The AI Agent Playbook: How CEOs Build and Deploy Game Changing AI
Kai Isaac, CEO, Filmscape Productions
LEGAL
The True Cost of an Exit: How Adjustments, Taxes, and Buyer Tricks Impact Your Net Price
Doug Starcher, Attorney / Managing Partner, M&A Practice Area, Nelson Mullins Law
Mergers & Acquisitions: Understanding the Elements and Process of a Successful Deal*
Bill Lowman, Attorney / Managing Partner, Shuffield Lowman, LLP
Julia Dennis, Attorney / Partner, Shuffield Lowman, LLP
YOUR OWNERSHIP JOURNEY™
The Buyer Showdown: Private Equity vs. Strategic—Which Deal Would You Take?
Chris Swink, Senior Wealth Strategist, Northern Trust
Rob Ashcroft, Dir. Business Advisory Services, Northern Trust
How AI-Driven Wealth Strategies Help Business Owners Invest, Protect, and Preserve Wealth
Riad Shanawany, President & CEO, Myriad Capital
ESOPs as a Strategic Exit: Advisory Insights and Financing Solutions for Business Owners
Chris Cucci, CCIM, Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, Climate First Bank
Will Stewart, CEO, PCE Investment Bankers
Business Valuation: The One Number That Changes Everything
Michael Shepardson, Partner, PNP Advisory Services
Living the EOS Life: A CEO’s Perspective
Erich Hanson, Founder / CEO / Visionary, August Ash
Hotels / Map
Event attendees have a range of options conveniently located in the area. We have assembled a short list of Hotels that are located near The Lake Mary Events Center.
* Hotels are listed in order by proximity to the event location. Additional hotels are available in the area.
1 — Hilton Garden Inn Orlando North/Lake Mary (2.9mi)
hilton.com… | 705 Currency Circle, Lake Mary, FL 32746 | Google Directions
“We’re off I-4, in walking distance of restaurants, and three miles from Lake Mary Museum. The Central Florida Zoo is a 15-minute drive, and Orlando Sanford International Airport can be reached in nine miles. Enjoy our outdoor pool, restaurant, evening room service, and 24-hour convenience shop.”
Online Reservation — hilton.com/en/hotels/orllmgi-hilton-garden-inn-orlando-north-lake-mary/
Phone Reservation — 407.531.9900
2 — Courtyard by Marriott Lake Mary North (3.3mi)
marriott.com… | 135 International Parkway, Lake Mary, FL 32746 | Google Directions
“Stay focused, stay refreshed at Courtyard Orlando Lake Mary/North.Our contemporary hotel in Lake Mary, FL is designed to help you move forward. Unwind in spacious rooms with plush Marriott bedding, free Wi-Fi, large workspaces, and mini-fridges. Power up at The Bistro with healthy breakfast and dinner options, Starbucks® coffee, Keep your routine going at our 24/7 fitness center or cool off in the outdoor pool. Steps from top dining like FishBones and Giovanni’s, and just minutes from Boombah Sports Complex, Daytona Beach, and Seminole Towne Center. With flexible event venues and a convenient north Orlando location, Courtyard by Marriott Lake Mary North Orlando helps you make the most of every moment.”
Online Reservation — marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mcolm-courtyard-orlando-lake-mary-north/overview/
Phone Reservation — 407.444.1000
3 — Hyatt Place Lake Mary-Orlando North (3.5mi)
hyatt.com… | 1255 South International Pkwy, Lake Mary, FL 32746 | Google Directions
“Enjoy yourself at Hyatt Place Lake Mary/Orlando-North. With 24/7 dining including free breakfast, an outdoor pool and easy access to attractions near our hotel, you can relax and explore on your own time. Visit Daytona Beach, Disney World®, Central Florida Zoo, Lake Mary Event Center and more during your stay at our hotel in Lake Mary, Florida, near Heathrow.”
Online Reservation — hyatt.com/hyatt-place/en-US/mcozl-hyatt-place-lake-mary-orlando-north
Phone Reservation — 407.995.5555
4 — Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Mary At Colonial Townpark (4.4mi)
hilton.com… | 850 Village Oak Ln, Lake Mary, FL 32746 | Google Directions
“We’re off I-4, 10 minutes from central Lake Mary. Colonial Townpark Shopping Center, bites at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse or Dexter’s Lake Mary, and a local AmStar cinema are steps from our door. Orlando Sanford International Airport is 20 minutes away. Enjoy free hot breakfast, free WiFi, and our outdoor pool.”
Online Reservation — hilton.com/en/hotels/lkmhshx-hampton-suites-lake-mary-at-colonial-townpark/
Phone Reservation — 407.995.9000
5 — Orlando Marriott Lake Mary (4.7mi)
marriott.com… | 1501 International Pkwy, Lake Mary, FL 32746 | Google Directions
“Retreat to Orlando Marriott Lake Mary for a newly renovated hotel in a convenient location. Guests staying with us in the Lake Mary, FL, area have access to fun attractions in Orlando North. Recharge for the day ahead at 1501 Kitchen & Bar, M Club or The Market, our on-site dining with to-go options. Wellness amenities include an outdoor pool, whirlpool spa and all-new fitness center. For business travelers and groups celebrating a special event, our hotel near Orlando Lake Mary boasts one of the largest meeting spaces in Seminole County, FL, with more than 14,000 square feet of space including two outdoor terraces. Work and relax on the road using our laundry facilities. Our 307 newly renovated hotel rooms and suites in Orlando North offer hard floors, elegant bathrooms, 55-inch wall-mounted TVs, free self-parking and free Wi-Fi. Embark on a journey of change at Orlando Marriott Lake Mary.”
Online Reservation — marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mcoml-orlando-marriott-lake-mary/overview/
Phone Reservation — 407.995.1100
6 — The Westin Lake Mary/Orlando North (4.9mi)
marriott.com… | 2974 International Pkwy, Lake Mary, FL 32746 | Google Directions
“Retreat to a signature blend of sophistication and rejuvenation at The Westin Lake Mary. Our hotel boasts an ideal location in an upscale suburban area with convenient access to top attractions, including the Central Florida Zoo, Downtown Sanford, Walt Disney World® and Universal Studios®. Unwind in our stylish rooms featuring luxury bedding, complimentary Wi-Fi and 55″ TVs. Enjoy fine dining at our on-site restaurant, Shula’s 347 Grill, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Head to our fitness studio for an energizing workout or take a refreshing swim in our outdoor swimming pool. Host an impressive business or social function in our elegant event venue. At Westin, we strive to develop unique programs that help you be at your very best.”
Online Reservation — marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mcowl-the-westin-lake-mary-orlando-north/overview/
Phone Reservation — 407.531.3555
Lauren Hodges
CEO and Owner, Performance on Purpose, LLC
Lauren Hodges, Ed.D. is an expert in human performance sciences, an award winning learning designer, author, and owner of Performance on Purpose, a global training and coaching company focused on the intersections of leadership and human performance. She lives in Satellite Beach, FL with her husband and two teenage boys.
What does it take to truly thrive in high demand, high pressure environments? In this interactive session, we’ll unpack four decades of human performance sciences, learn three key skills necessary to thrive and remain mission-driven at work and at home, and identify actionable strategies to use right away.
Will Wellons
President, Wellons Communications
Will is a skilled strategic public relations professional who has worked with a broad spectrum of clients, including those in design, hospitality, attractions, real estate and finance. He has vast experience in all facets of public relations; including media relations, investor relations, and crisis management.
Social media continues to change by the day. Companies have to be consistent and up to date on the best practices for social media or their sales and reputation will suffer. We will have a discussion on how to stay ahead of the social media trends.