Registration is officially open

GIBS 2026 Conference

The GIBS Advantage: 1,000-Day Acceleration

We’re looking forward to welcoming our community back for the 2026 GIBS Conference, taking place February 25–26, 2026, at the Westin San Diego Bayview Hotel in San Diego, California.

 

This year’s conference, titled The GIBS Advantage: 1,000-Day Acceleration, explores the first three years of the leadership journey and the critical decisions, habits, and mindsets that define long-term success. Over two days, participants will engage with peers, thought leaders, and the GIBS team to examine how leaders can create momentum, sustain focus, and deliver measurable results in their first 1,000 days.

Invited participants may now complete their registration to confirm attendance. We look forward to another energizing and insightful event, and to continuing the journey together in San Diego.

Event Agenda

Event Agenda

February 24, 2026

Optional Welcome Reception & Registration 6:00 PM

February 25, 2026

Breakfast & Registration 8:00 AM

Morning Sessions 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

  • Session 1: Opening Keynote "1,000 Days" Rob Rutledge
  • Session 2: Pre-Day 1 - M&A Due Diligence Ben Marshall
  • Session 3: 80/20 Profitable Growth Accelerator Bill Canady
  • Session 4: First 100-Days: Talent Assessment Neel Bhatia
  • Session 5: Strategic Sourcing - Year 1 John Kufner

Executive Lunch Roundtables & Buffet Lunch 12:00 PM

Afternoon Session 1:00 PM - 4:45 PM

  • Session 7: Using Pricing as a Strategic Advantage (Panel) Alan Fortier
  • Session 8: Imperatives for Growth & Expansion Mitch Aiello
  • Session 9: Executing Growth & Expansion Alex Goldfayn
  • Session 10: Business Simulator: The Cost of Moving Slowly Monique Verduzco, Rob Rutledge

Cocktail Reception 5:15 PM

Optional Welcome Reception & Registration 6:00 PM

Plated Dinner 7:30 PM

February 26, 2026

Breakfast Available 8:00 AM

Morning Session 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

  • Session 13: Scale to Exit Monique Verduzco
  • Session 14: Breakout Session A: Using Data to Launch Strategic Initiatives Joe Michels, Alan Fortier
  • Session 15: Breakout Session B: Organic Growth Acceleration Ray Hoglund, Bill Canady
  • Session 16: Breakout Session C: Preparing to Sell the Business Rob Rutledge, Dom Martellaro
  • Session 17: Review of GIBS Offering Monique Verduzco
  • Session 18: Closing Keynote "Execute, Scale, Exit" Rob Rutledge

Conference Concludes 12:00 PM