Dallas-Fort Worth Executive Summit
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST
Event Overview
GAIN FRESH STRATEGIES for today’s top executive leadership challenges, walk away with actionable tools and expand your network with high-performing CEOs at the Vistage Executive Summit.
GO BEYOND YOUR GROUP and build meaningful connections, exchange valuable insights from real-world experiences and be a part of the local Vistage CEO community committed to shared success and support.
STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE with expert analysis of shifting economic conditions, wellness-driven habits to lead with resilience under pressure and real-time solutions through conversations that address the challenges CEOs face every day.
Event Speakers
Mitch Warner
Managing Partner & Author, Arbinger InstituteThe Hidden Variable: The Mindset Shift That Transforms Relationships and Results
As a CEO or senior leader, you’re constantly navigating pressure, resistance, expectations, and the responsibility of leading others. But what if your greatest lever for performance and well-being isn’t what you do, but how you see?
In this powerful and personal keynote, Mitch Warner—author and managing partner at the Arbinger Institute—invites you to explore the often hidden mindsets that shape how you lead, connect, and perform.
Through compelling stories and practical tools, you’ll uncover how shifts in mindset can unlock new clarity, resilience, accountability and effectiveness—both in how you lead others and how you lead yourself. In this session, you’ll discover:
- The trap of self-deception: Why conflict, stress, and frustration often escalate despite good intentions and strong work ethic
- How mindset drives performance: How even the most capable leaders fall prey to self-deception, how it sabotages their effectiveness, and what to do about it
- A new lens for leadership: How to shift from managing resources and outcomes to expanding impact by seeing people (and yourself) more clearly
This isn’t about adding more to your plate, it’s about changing how you carry it. Join us to explore how leaders who lead with an outward mindset achieve dramatically better results—who transform their teams by transforming themselves.
Lauren Saidel-Baker
Economist, ITR EconomicsOutlook for 2026 and Early 2027
ITR Economics’ outlook for 2026 and early 2027 offers critical insights for business leaders preparing for the next phase of the economic cycle. While early 2026 is expected to bring a mild rising trend, ITR’s leading indicators suggest that momentum may fade for some industries as the year progresses and into 2027. Understanding these shifts will be essential for strategic planning and decision-making.
We will examine expected changes in GDP and Industrial Production growth, helping leaders anticipate market turns, manage risk, and understand industry-specific impacts.
With clear guidance on how to navigate the coming landscape, you will be better equipped to make informed decisions and stay ahead of industry peers throughout the next stage of the business cycle.
The Hidden Variable: The Mindset Shift That Transforms Relationships and Results
See below for a full listing of breakouts
See below for a full listing of breakouts
Outlook for 2026 and Early 2027
Celebrate your community's Vistage Member Excellence Award winners and finalists and connect with fellow peers. Refreshments to be served in the Marketplace.
Breakout sessions
11:35 - 12:35 PM
The Dark Side of AI: Complicating Executive Hiring and Slowing Growth
Presenter: Jason Williford, Master Licensee and Board Member | Culture Index
When used appropriately, AI is the most widely accepted and used tool set of our generation that speeds growth. However, when it comes to hiring talent and scaling, the darkside is immense. The miscalculations, missing fundamental data and flat out fantasies are real. This session equips CEOs with a framework to counter AI’s distortions, assess leadership fit accurately, and make objective, data-backed decisions about the people steering their business.
Topic: Leadership - Hiring Recruitment & Sourcing
11:35 - 12:35 PM
The CEO’s Guide to Building a High-Performance Sales Culture
Presenter: David Mullins, Strategic Sales Coach | SalesStar
Most sales teams don’t struggle because of effort—they struggle because of unclear plans, inconsistent processes, and gaps in leadership and talent. In this session, CEOs will learn the three essential drivers of a high-performance sales organization: clarity, leadership, and putting the right people in the right roles. Attendees will leave with practical insights they can immediately apply to create more predictable, consistent revenue growth.
Topic: Customer Engagement - Sales
11:35 - 12:35 PM
Predictable Marketing ROI: A Framework for Guaranteed Outcomes
Presenter: Lori Turner-Wilson, CEO/Founder | RedRover Marketing Strategy
Marketing shouldn’t be a black box. In this workshop, Lori shares her 12 Battles™ Framework—a proven system that reveals hidden gaps costing you growth and replaces gut instinct with data-backed decision-making. Learn how to:
- Uncover true customer drivers
- Conduct competitive surveillance
- Identify the touchpoints most responsible for a customer's decision to purchase
- Pressure-test strategies before spending
- Build a pay-for-performance team
Attendees receive Lori’s international best-selling book.
Topic: Customer Engagement - Marketing
11:35 - 12:35 PM
Building Recurring and Scalable Revenue
Presenter: Pranav Dalal, CEO and Founder | Office Beacon
Learn how to achieve scalable, recurring revenue with Pranav Dalal, who grew Office Beacon from 5 to 5,500 employees while unlocking profitability for thousands of clients. Discover strategies to craft compelling messages, build powerful connections, and drive sustained business growth.
Topic: Customer Engagement - Marketing
11:35 - 12:35 PM
The Dark Side of Private Equity: Missteps that Could Cost You Millions
Presenter: Brian Daley, Director of Strategic Partnerships | Founders Advisors
With more PE firms targeting private companies, business owners must be equipped to navigate this complex world successfully. Using case studies, data-driven insights, and over two decades of M&A experience, we’ll discuss the PE investor ecosystem, how they exploit inexperienced business owners, and strategies to help you protect your equity.
You’ll learn:
• 7 reasons your business is not qualified for PE investment (and what to do)
• Essential questions to answer before engaging PE
• The truth about “Minority Investors” and “Founder Aligned” PE
• Why 90% of founders lose in PE negotiations
• Enterprise Value Coaching through Industry Driven Valuation Scorecards
Topic: Financials - Mergers & Acquisitions
11:35 - 12:35 PM
The Road to Exit – Lessons from Experts and a Fellow Vistage Member
Presenter: TBD | UBS
Join experts from UBS Global Wealth Management along with a fellow Vistage member for an interactive panel discussion on preparing for and executing successful business exits. Hear real-world stories, practical strategies, and lessons learned from those who have navigated the process. This session will provide actionable insights for business owners looking to build enterprise value and plan for their future.
Topic: Financials - Financial Management
1:30 - 2:30 PM
Inside a Real Cyber Attack: What Every Business Leader Needs to Know
Presenter: Shane Kimbrel, President | Data Magic
Cybercriminals are evolving fast, and federal agencies are seeing a surge in attacks on small and mid-sized businesses. In this breakout session, a Homeland Security representative will brief attendees on today’s top threats and why DFW organizations are increasingly targeted. A DFW business owner will then share the real story of a recent breach. You'll gain a rare, practical look at modern attack tactics, business impacts, and the steps every CEO should take to reduce risk.
Topic: Business Operations - Technology
1:30 - 2:30 PM
Minority Equity Transactions: How to Have Your Cake & Eat It Too
Presenter: Andrew Hansen, Founder-Owned Investment Banking Advisory | William Blair
Ever considered taking outside capital (taking some chips off the table, buying out an outside shareholder, and/or investing for growth) but don’t want to give up control or take on debt? Discover the power of minority equity investments and how you can accelerate the growth of your business, all without giving up control. Join us as we break down what non-control transactions really are, how they work, and ways in which the right partner can unlock significant upside for founder-led businesses like yours, all while you maintain control.
Takeaways include:
- Real-world success stories of minority investments with founder-owned businesses
- Key characteristics of non-control transactions and how to identify the right partner
- Flexibility minority equity provides to solve a business owner’s liquidity objectives
Topic: Financials - Mergers & Acquisitions
1:30 - 2:30 PM
Business Acceleration Powered by Talent Density and Accountagility
Presenter: Jorge Rosas, CEO | WeWow USA LLC
"Business Acceleration" is a strategic, high-impact session for CEOs and senior leaders who want to scale smart—through talent density, leadership evolution, and high-accountagility cultures. In an era where speed is the ultimate differentiator, participants learn how to build lean, high-performance teams, develop leaders who drive outcomes, and eliminate silos. They leave with a clear blueprint, proven tools, and the energy, clarity, and conviction to accelerate growth—starting immediately.
Topic: Leadership - Performance Management/HR
1:30 - 2:30 PM
AI Enablement: What Smart Leaders Get Wrong
Presenter: Dusty Ansley, CEO | NOVO
AI offers extraordinary potential, but the path to unlocking it is filled with hidden risks, misconceptions, and gaps in systematic innovation. This session exposes the blind spots that quietly derail well-intentioned AI initiatives and outlines how to build the right foundation for real, measurable impact. Learn why AI programs fail even in high-performing organizations and how to craft a strategy that protects your business, aligns with evolving regulations, and delivers meaningful value.
Topic: Business Operations - Technology
1:30 - 2:30 PM
Breaking Through the Growth Plateau: Boost Accountability & Impact
Presenter: Kris Snyder, CRO | Ninety
As businesses grow, they reach a point where old methods no longer serve their goals. If you’re finding that your meetings aren’t as productive, your team struggles with accountability, or key decisions don’t have supportive data, it’s time to address some fundamental issues. Explore how mastering three key areas—Structure, Data, and Meetings—can help you break through this growth plateau.
Takeaways:
- Identifying Structure Inefficiencies: Unpack organizational changes needed to unlock greater efficiency and effectiveness.
- Using Data to Drive Success: Actionable steps to implement the right KPIs, and improve team accountability.
- Optimizing Meetings and Strategic Planning: Ensure teams execute on strategic goals aligned with the broader company vision.
Topic: Business Operations - Productivity & Execution
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