Annual Practice Management Leadership Retreat (Leading Partners Track)
September 29-October 2, 2026 │ Grand Hyatt, Atlanta, GA
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
5:15 – 6:00 p.m. │ Mentor and Mentee Reception for first-time attendees and assigned mentors
6:00 – 7:30 p.m. │ Welcome Reception and Standing Dinner
Included in Registration fee for attendees and accompanying persons
Attire: Business Casual
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
7:30 – 8:50 a.m. │ Breakfast
8:00 – 8:50 a.m. │NextGen Panel (Joint Session)
Grab a breakfast plate and join us for a no holds barred session providing the opportunity for multigenerational dialogue. Take the opportunity to hear what is on our NextGen panelists’ minds when they consider their role and their future in the profession.
Panelists: Chosen from member firms
1.0 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
8:50 – 9:00 a.m. │ Transition Break
9:00 – 9:20 a.m. │ President’s State of the Union (Joint Session)
Grace Horvath, President & CEO, CPAmerica, Inc.
9:20 – 10:35 a.m. │ How to Define Your Differentiator and Elevate Customer Experience in a Competitive Industry (Joint Session)
In today’s distracted and rapidly evolving marketplace, companies can no longer compete on products or services alone. Technology is transforming customer expectations faster than ever, and what once made you stand out can be replicated overnight. So how do you set your organization apart and stay ahead?
In this talk, Elizabeth Dixon reveals how to define and amplify your true differentiators by combining innovation with authenticity. She explores the intersection of humanity and technology helping you
harness the power of tools like AI and automation without losing the warmth, empathy, and personal touch that create lasting loyalty.
Elizabeth Dixon, Elizabeth Dixon Speaks
1.5 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview
Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
10:35 – 11:05 a.m. │ Networking Break
11:05 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. │ Practice Management Survey (Joint Session)
This session combines insights from the 2026 CPAmerica practice management survey, INSIDE Public Accounting survey, and firm discussions to identify strategies for success amid change. Learn what works, emerging trends, and focus areas to support the ongoing health and success of firms, partners, staff, and clients.
Charles Hylan, CPA, MBA, Managing Member, Hylan Advisory
1.5 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview
Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
12:20 – 1:20 p.m. │ Lunch
1:20 – 2:35 p.m. │ Developing Advisory Skills in an AI World (Joint Session)
As AI reshapes what it means to be a trusted advisor, this session explores the leadership capabilities partners need to build in their firms. We’ll look at how AI is changing apprenticeship and staff development, and what it takes to grow people quickly into consultative, client-facing leaders. Through real examples and live discussion, participants will identify a few concrete actions to strengthen their talent pipeline, differentiate their client experience, and sustain their practices in a tech-enabled world.
Wendy Miller, Chief People Officer, North America and Ryan Paulowsky, Senior Partner, Atlanta Office, both from McKinsey & Company
1.5 CPE │ Information Technology │ Overview
Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
2:30 – 3:00 p.m. │ Break and Transition to Member Sharing breakouts by firm size
3:00 – 4:15 p.m. │ Anything Goes Member Sharing Breakouts by Firm Size (LPR Only)
This will be a compilation of all the topics taken from the member survey for each group to discuss as desired.
1.5 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview
Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
4:15 – 6:00 p.m. | Free Time
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. │Connection Reception
Connect with meeting attendees as you create your plans for dinner and enjoy the property or explore Buckhead on your own.
Included in Registration fee for attendees and accompanying person. Attire: Casual
Thursday, October 1, 2026
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. │ Breakfast
7:40 – 8:30 a.m. │ Business Before Hours (Joint Session)
Make a plate and join peers for business before hours sessions on varying topics. Discussions will be led by topic experts.
1.0 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
8:30 – 8:45 a.m. | Transition Break
8:45 – 9:35 a.m. │ State of the Profession (Joint Session)
Steve Strammello, Crowe US CEO
1.0 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
9:35 – 9:40 a.m. │ Transition Break
9:40 – 10:55 a.m. │ AI and the Future of the Accounting Profession: From Strategy to Ethical Governance (Joint Session)
This keynote will demystify AI for firm leaders and identify the strategic, operational, and ethical considerations shaping the next era of accounting. It begins with a practical overview of the AI landscape, how leading firms are using AI today, where the technology is heading, and what it means for competitiveness and client trust. Jeff will then explore the essential building blocks of effective (and ethical) AI governance and introduce a pragmatic model for firms to assess their own AI readiness.
Jeffrey Saviano, Senior Lecturer, MIT Sloan School of Management | Research Appointment, Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University
1.5 CPE │ Business Management & Organization│ Overview Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
10:55 – 11:20 a.m. │ Networking Break
11:20 a.m. – 12:35 p.m. │ From Principles to Practice: Building Your Firms AI Strategy and Governance Roadmap (LPR Session)
This facilitated session builds on the keynote’s insights, offering firm leaders a practical hands-on opportunity to shape their own AI strategy and governance roadmap. Participants will work through guided exercises and peer discussions to define what responsible AI adoption means for their firm, identifying opportunities, risks, and immediate next steps. The workshop leverages methods developed for executive education programs at Harvard, MIT, and Vanderbilt, customized for CPA firm leaders.
Jeffrey Saviano, Senior Lecturer, MIT Sloan School of Management | Research Appointment, Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University
1.5 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
12:35 – 1:40 p.m. │ Lunch
1:40 – 2:30 p.m. │AI Updates and Use Cases (LPR Session)
1.2 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
2:40 – 3:00 p.m. │ Networking Break
3:00 – 3:50 p.m. │ Member Sharing by Topic Breakouts – Round 1 (Joint Session)
• Topic 1: EOS
• Topic 2: Succession Planning
• Topic 3: Financial Management & Cash Flow
• Topic 4: Change Management
Member Facilitated
1.2 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
4:00 – 4:05 p.m. │ Transition Break
4:05 – 4:45 p.m. │ Council of Members Meeting (LPR Session - Required) Annual Business Meeting of the Council of Members
4:45 – 6:30 p.m. │ Free Time
6:00 p.m. │ Transportation to Special Event – Meet in lobby
6:30 – 9:30 p.m. │ Special Event | Georgia Aquarium
Set within the iconic Georgia Aquarium, this venue provides a truly unique atmosphere for your event. Surrounded by captivating aquatic exhibits and stunning marine life, guests will enjoy an unforgettable evening enhanced by exceptional catering from Wolfgang Puck, all while having exclusive access to the entire aquarium for the duration of the event.
Included in Registration fee for attendee Guest/Spouse fee*: $150
Attire: Business Casual
* Private group events incur additional costs, including labor and preparation. CPAmerica is transparent with event expenses and is willing to share more details upon request as we understand the meal cost for your guest is substantial.
Doug Schrock, Managing Principal of AI, Crowe US & Juan Carlos, Chief Digital Officer, Crowe Global
Friday, October 2, 2026
7:45 – 8:50 a.m. │ Breakfast
8:00 – 8:50 a.m. │ Business Before Hours (Joint Session)
Make a plate and join peers for business before hours sessions on varying topics. Discussions will be led by topic experts.
1.0 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
8:50 – 9:00 a.m. │ Transition Break
9:00 – 9:10 a.m. │ 2026 Co-Chair Appreciation and 2027 Co-Chair Introduction (Joint Session)
Grace Horvath, President & CEO, CPAmerica, Inc.
9:10 – 10:25 a.m. │ Atlanta Federal Reserve – Economic Update and Forecast (LPR Session)
1 5 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
10:25 – 10:45 a.m. │ Networking Break
10:45 – 11:30 a.m. │ Member Sharing by Topic Breakouts – Round 2 (Joint Session)
• Topic 1: EOS
• Topic 2: Succession Planning
• Topic 3: Financial Management & Cash Flow
• Topic 4: Change Management
Member Facilitated
1.0 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
11:30 – 11:40 a.m. │Pick up Boxed Lunch
11:40 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. │ Monday Morning Game Plan and 2027 Pre-Planning (LPR Session)
Share your strategy for Monday morning regarding the key takeaways for 2026 and outline what issues or topics you'd like to focus on in 2027.
2026 Leading Partner Co-Chairs: Brad Beasley, CPA, Managing Partner, Beasley, Mitchell, & Co LLP and Teela McCullar, CPA, Managing Director, Barnard, Vogler, & Co