Skip to main content

IMPACT 2026 Agenda


THURSDAY

5/14/2026

Check-in

Please plan your ferry time to accommodate check-in times and the below schedule for panel and reception, before the keynote dinner.


1pm - 3:30pm

Location: TBA

Meet and Greet

 


2pm - 3:30pm

Location: TBA

 

Welcome to Impact

 


3:30pm - 3:45pm

Location: TBA

 

Opening Panel

Moderated by Chad Blevins, Blevins Financial

This year's panel discussion will kick off Impact 2026 with our theme The Collective Genius.  As with years past, we will hear the stories and experiences of our guest panelists. This starts with a moderated discussion with the panelists and then gets turned over to the audience for Q&A.


3:45pm - 5pm

Location: TBA

 

Tasting and Networking

Join us for our annual kickoff festivities.  As in years past, this session will include tastings from an amazing winery, brewery and/or distillery coupled with some tasty snacks to welcome you to Impact.


5:00pm - 6:30pm

Location: TBA

 

New to Impact Orientation

New to Impact? This orientation is designed to help first-time attendees understand what to expect, how to get the most out of the experience, and where to find support along the way.

5:00pm - 5:30pm

Location: TBA

Keynote Dinner

Speaker: Russell Benaroya, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, Private Capital, Timberlane Partners

Join us for dinner and an entertaining and insightful talk with our keynote speaker.


6:30pm - 8pm

Location: TBA

FRIDAY

5/15/2026

Breakfast

Join us for a tasty breakfast before heading out to your breakout sessions.


7am - 8am

Location: TBA

 

 

BREAKOUT Session 1a: Financial Holy Trinity 

Presenter: David Lightfoot, Lightfoot CFO

Bring your challenges to be processed by the power of the group. We’ll be taking on issues within these three topic areas:

  1. Financial Information for decision making
  2. Profit challenges
  3. Cash Flow challenges

We’ll select the issues of common concern and solicit the wisdom of the group members to provide ideas and best practices. Issue processing will be facilitated by CFO and financial expert David Lightfoot. We’ll keep this moving fast to provide the most value to participants.


8am - 8:55am

Location: TBA

 

BREAKOUT Session 1b: Succession Track 101: In Advance (Consortium)

Presenter: Erin Albanese, Chad Blevins, Julie Courtney, Jessica Norris, Ben Wicks, Blevins Financial, Shannon & Associates, PRK Law, and Highland Wealth Management

Ideal Timeframe: 5–10 Years Before a Potential Sale

Focus: Building a strong, attractive business for future success; strategies to position your business for operational excellence today and a successful exit in the future.

Topics include:

  • Structuring financials for actionable insights and performance understanding
  • Legal & Organizational Essentials:
  • Operational processes and systems
  • Employee Engagement 101
  • Business Protection & Tax Planning
  • Personal Financial Integration

8am - 8:55am

Location: TBA

BREAKOUT Session 1c: Getting Your Company Ready For AI

Presenter: Russ Stewart, Gary Kawamura, Dynamic Computing

AI is reshaping how companies operate, compete, and grow, but the path to real impact starts long before you deploy your first model or turn on Copilot. In this session, we’ll cut through the hype and give business leaders a practical, experience‑based roadmap for preparing their organization to successfully adopt AI.

Drawing on real‑world client experiences, we’ll cover:

  • What “AI readiness” really means for small and mid‑sized organizations
  • Systems and infrastructure requirements to ensure stability, security, and full leverage of tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot
  • Data hygiene and governance essentials why AI is only as good as the data behind it
  • Practical use cases that improve efficiency, reduce manual work, and create immediate ROI
  • How to identify an internal AI product owner and build capability across roles and departments
  • How to evaluate AI features inside the software you already use
  • Common traps companies fall into when adopting AI and how to sidestep them

Whether you’re just starting to explore AI or are already experimenting with tools, you’ll walk away with a clear, actionable framework to move from curiosity to applied value.


8am - 8:55am

Location: TBA

Break

 


8:55am-9:15am

Location: TBA

 

BREAKOUT Session 2a: Your Team On Improv

Presenter: Aaron Schmookler, Giant Leap

Improv is too touchy-feely for business? Not if you want a team that stays alert, engaged, and decisive—recognizing and addressing problems in real time, without slipping into autopilot or destructive conflict.

In our emerging AI and automation-driven world, we're outsourcing the routine. While AI recognizes and replicates patterns, driving responsive breakthroughs is still a human job. A team job.

Your competitive advantage? Human judgment, collective insight, and iterative action.

As Grace Hopper put it, “The most dangerous phrase in the English language is, ‘We’ve always done it this way.’” And AI isn't going to break you out of old patterns.

In this participatory session, you’ll experience how your team can employ principles from improv to sharpen team awareness and surface genius.

Business improvisation. No acting required.


9:15am - 10:10am

Location: TBA

 

BREAKOUT Session 2b: Succession Track 201: In Anticipation (Consortium)

Presenter: Erin Albanese, Chad Blevins, Julie Courtney, Jessica Norris, Ben Wicks, Blevins Financial, Shannon & Associates, PRK Law, and Highland Wealth Management

Ideal Timeframe: 1–3 Years Before Sale (depending on how much of 101 has been accomplished)
Focus: Preparing for a successful transaction; the key considerations as you approach a sale.

Topics include:

  • Emotional readiness—for you and your spouse
  • Employee engagement, retention, and transition strategies
    • Transaction and retention bonuses
    • Stock appreciation rights
  • Company performance and Adjusted EBITDA: what buyers assess
  • Buyer types, valuation ranges, and typical deal structures
  • Financial Planning
    • Refined planning and stress-testing scenarios of different deal structures
    • Understanding future liquidity and its impact on your vision
  • Assembling the right team for operational and transaction success

9:15am - 10:10am

Location: TBA

 

BREAKOUT Session 2c: Improve Planning and Executing with a Business Operating System Upgrade

Presenter: Doug Hall,  Resource for CEOs

Presenter Doug Hall utilizes material drawn from his experience as a Business Coach, former Certified EOS Implementer and Certified Scaling Up Coach. Over the past 10 years many CEO Peer Group members have benefited from hearing Doug present from his unique perspective having learned, implemented and coached EOS®, Scaling Up and other systems. They discovered that getting what they want from their business is not automatic and the systematic approach in these Business Operating Systems is helpful and powerful. Doug puts it all in perspective in a way that enables the Member to assess their situation and understand their options for upgrading their current Business Operating System.

Doug will cover:

  • What is a Business Operating System (BOS) and why is it important in our organizations?
  • The history of business authors and their books that underly all Business Operating Systems plus a survey of popular BOS offerings.
  • Why do branded BOS systems like the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and Scaling Up work for many business owner/CEOs?
  • Detailed Q&A workshop exploring the application of BOS Tools and methods in general and for Member-specific situations.

9:15am - 10:10am

Location: TBA

 

Break

 


10:10AM-10:30AM

Location: TBA

 

BREAKOUT Session 3a: Performance Lab: Where Ideas Become Impact

Presenter: Carolyn Harvey, Krisann Hatch, Kathy Iverson, Archbright

Bring a real performance challenge and tap into the collective insight of peers and experts. Before the conference, participants may submit a brief description of their challenge; 3–4 will be selected for live problem‑solving during the session.

In the Performance Lab, each featured challenge is explored through a fast, structured process:

  • A short introduction from the challenge owner or facilitator
  • Initial reactions from a small expert panel
  • Audience Q&A and idea generation
  • Key insights captured in real time

We’ll close with common themes, practical takeaways, and one insight you can immediately bring back to your organization


10:30AM - 11:25AM

Location: TBA

 

BREAKOUT Session 3b: Succession Track 301: Maximize (Consortium)

Presenter: Erin Albanese, Chad Blevins, Julie Courtney, Jessica Norris, Ben WicksBlevins Financial, Shannon & Associates, PRK Law, and Highland Wealth Management

Track 301: MAXIMIZE

Advanced Tax Strategies Before Sale
Focus: Leveraging tax laws to optimize transaction outcomes and community impact.

Topics include:

  • Washington and federal estate tax levels and planning strategies
  • Capital gains tax considerations
  • QSBS (Qualified Small Business Stock) planning opportunities
  • Charitable planning strategies

10:30AM - 11:25AM

Location: TBA

 

BREAKOUT Session 3c: Pacific Northwest Economic Update

Presenter: Kevin Meabon, Columbia Bank

Join us for an economic update and industry insights discussion, presented by Kevin Meabon, Executive Vice President and Regional Director at Columbia Bank. Kevin will share real-time, valuable insights on various industries including construction, manufacturing, distribution, professional services, and more! He will also share the latest in M&A activity in the region, how business owners can best position their businesses for maximum value, and what partnerships are key to a successful transition plan.

Bring any questions you have about the regional and national economy, what to expect on interest rates, how various industries are performing, and where leaders should focus their energy in 2026 and beyond to thrive in this fast-changing environment. This session promises to be high energy, interactive, and informative.


10:30AM - 11:25AM

Location: TBA

 

Box Lunch

Grab your lunch before heading to your chosen afternoon activity!


11:30am 

Location: TBA

 

Closing Panel: M&A Experiences

 One day you will stop running your business. Do you have a plan? Join us for a discussion on exit and succession for CEOs and owners. Our panelists (to be announced) have been through the process and are ready to share their experiences, advice and strategies for success.

Moderator: George Noroian, Giant Leap


12:30pm - 1:30pm

Location: TBA

 

 

Afternoon Activity (option 1): Golf

Swing the sticks and continue building relationships with your peers at White Horse Golf Club, located minutes away from Clearwater Resort in nearby Kingston. Ranked as one of Washington’s top courses, and with five sets of tees to accommodate players of all skill levels, you’re sure to have an excellent time! No transportation is provided for this event. Carpooling is encouraged. Tee time 12:30 pm.


12:30pm - 5pm

Location: TBA

 

 

Afternoon Activity (option 2): Create and Sip – Crushed Glass Art

Join us for an afternoon of fun as we gather together to create a something fun using crushed glass!

Create sparkling sun catchers using vibrant crushed glass and non-toxic sealant. No experience needed—just bring your sparkle!


2pm - 3:30pm

Location: TBA

 

 

Afternoon Activity (option 3): Roundtable discussion

Join a table of your peers for a facilitated conversation. Gain and give perspective on topics key and relevant to you. If the weather is nice, we will hold these discussions outside!


1:45pm - 3:15pm

Location: Salmon Room

 

 

Afternoon Activity (option 4): Local Outing

Free time to explore the local area on your own.


2pm - 3:30pm

Location: TBA

 

 

Closing Dinner

Join us for a dinner buffet to include vegetarian and gluten-free options. This event will take place in the Resort Building Lobby and outside as weather permits.


6pm

Location: TBA

Join us! Space is limited, So register now!