The ESOP Association hosted its 2026 National Conference May 5–8 in Washington, DC, bringing together employee owners, company leaders, advisors, and policymakers for a week defined by energy, alignment, and forward momentum. The Association thanks everyone who attended, presented, and helped make this one of the most impactful gatherings in our community. With a strong focus on advocacy, education, and connection, the conference reinforced the growing role of employee ownership in shaping the future of the American economy.
President and CEO James Bonham opened the conference with a forward-looking keynote, “The Dawn of an ESOP Renaissance,” framing the current moment as one of unparalleled opportunity for employee ownership—if our community seizes it. More information about Jim’s address can be found here.
A major highlight of National Conference was the keynote address delivered by Daniel Aronowitz, Assistant Secretary of Labor and head of the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). Aronowitz spoke directly to the future regulatory environment for ESOPs, signaling a shift toward clearer guidance, more balanced enforcement, and a focus on reducing meritless or baseless ERISA litigation—prompting a standing ovation from The ESOP Association’s members in attendance. Read more here.
National Conference also featured powerful perspectives on leadership and culture, including insights from Thursday’s keynote speaker, Kathy Varol, a globally recognized storytelling and brand strategist. Varol emphasized the importance of narrative in shaping organizational culture and engagement, reinforcing that employee ownership is not just a structure, but a shared story that organizations must clearly communicate to fully realize its impact.
In addition to featured keynote speakers, the conference delivered a wide range of educational sessions covering ESOP strategy, governance, regulatory developments, and growth. Attendees engaged in deep learning, peer exchange, and practical discussions that addressed the real-world challenges facing employee-owned companies. And with multiple learning track options, participants from the most experienced CEOs to the newest employee owners were able to take advantage of the best-in-class educational opportunities offered at National Conference.
Advocacy remained a central pillar of the week. Participants met directly with lawmakers and staff on Capitol Hill to advance key legislation, including the Retire Through Ownership Act and the American Ownership and Resilience Act—efforts designed to expand access to ESOPs and create a more predictable policy environment. Read more about TEA’s ESOP Advocacy Day.
A signature moment of every National Conference is the annual employee ownership awards ceremony, where The ESOP Association honors the individuals and companies setting the standard for excellence in our community. The ESOP Association is the only organization that recognizes these achievements and their impact on employee ownership, and the awards are highly anticipated each year.
This year’s ceremony celebrated those driving ESOPs to new heights—leaders whose achievements reflect both business success and a deep commitment to ownership culture and community impact. In addition, the event also included a moving tribute to Bill Carris, who posthumously received the Michael Keeling Founder’s Award for his contributions to ESOPs and employee ownership.
The awards also serve a broader purpose: they highlight best practices, inspire innovation, and create opportunities for attendees to learn from one another. By showcasing the accomplishments of top-performing ESOP companies and leaders, the ceremony reinforces the shared values and ideas that continue to strengthen the movement. (Read more here.)
Throughout the week, one message stood out: the ESOP community is not only growing, but aligning across leadership, policy, and culture. Clearer regulatory signals, stronger advocacy engagement, and a renewed focus on ownership culture continue to build momentum and energy.
The 2026 National Conference captured that momentum, bringing together the people and ideas shaping what comes next for employee ownership—and reinforcing that the path forward is not only viable, but increasingly essential.
