Executive Summit 2026
January 26-28, 2026 | Grand Hyatt Washington, Washington, DC
Be part of the 2026 Executive Summit, the leading strategy event for the American wholesale distribution industry. This premier gathering will bring together top executives from the largest and fastest-growing distribution firms across all sectors. Attendees will hear from national political, academic, technology, and industry leaders on the main stage, gaining valuable insights to help shape successful strategies and set their businesses apart. For over 50 years, the NAW Executive Summit has been regarded as essential and exclusive, offering an unmatched experience that delivers a year’s worth of insights in just a few days in Washington, D.C.
Pricing:
Wholesaler-Distributor Member: $3295 Regular
Larger NAW Community (Affiliate Member, AEC and Fellows): $3,600
Communities
At the Summit, attendees will join one of two Communities to engage in collaborative learning and knowledge-sharing with peers who share similar interests and goals. These Communities focus on discussing best practices, innovative approaches, and solving common challenges. During registration, attendees should choose between:
Commercial Growth
For distributors interested in sales, marketing, business development, and customer experience.
Operational Excellence
For distributors interested in operations, technology, people services, and finance.
Both Communities will emphasize innovation and business strategy, providing a competitive edge. They are part of the full program and will meet together three times during the event
Accommodations and Event Location
NAW has reserved a block of rooms at a discounted rate at the event facility, the Grand Hyatt, Washington on 1000 H Street NW. Room block closes January 4, 2026. This hotel will sell out so be sure to book to stay at the event hotel.
Make the most of your time in DC! Explore what the area has to offer.
Agenda
Use this agenda to guide your attendance. Times are in Eastern Time.
Day 1: Monday January 26, 2026
| 10:00 AM | Registration Opens |
| 1:00 PM | Summit Kickoff & Connection: First Time Attendee and Future Member Meet & Greet |
| 2:00 PM | Commercial Growth Community Session: Building Alignment for Modern Tech Growth – AI moves fast. Misalignment moves faster. When teams adopt new tools and tech without shared expectations, small gaps quickly turn into big problems. In this session, Julie Holmes breaks down what real alignment requires and shares practical frameworks leaders and teams can use immediately to scale AI (or any tech) with clarity, confidence, and control. |
| 2:00 PM | Operational Excellence Community Session |
| 3:00 PM | Break |
| 3:15 PM | Mainstage Programming The Science of Mastering Your Intuition – It’s one of the most polarizing pieces of advice that we hear: “Go with your gut.” Many of us disregard our intuition in favor of gathering more and more data. But in an age where AI is rapidly taking over decision-making, Laura Huang argues that our intuition is the most important thing setting high performers apart. And more importantly, she teaches us how to hone it. Lessons in Legacy: Honoring the Past to Strengthen the Future – This session highlights how long-standing distributors use their history and multigenerational perspective to guide strategy and preserve what makes their organizations distinct. Through a grounded conversation on institutional memory and continuity, attendees gain insight into how honoring legacy supports clearer decision-making during periods of growth and change. |
| 5:45 PM | Women in Distribution Reception – Pre-Registration Required |
| 6:30 PM | The Summit Social Welcome Reception |
| 7:30 PM | Large Co CEO Dinner – Invitation Only |
| 7:30 PM | Billion Dollar CEO Dinner – Invitation Only |
Day 2: Tuesday January 27, 2026
| 7:30 AM | The Breakfast Briefing NAW-PAC Members Only |
| 8:00 AM | General Breakfast |
| 8:45 AM | Break |
| 9:00 AM | Mainstage Programming Address from the Chairman How Values Endure and Inspire – In this compelling session, discover how a single idea: empowering individuals to act in the spirit of national service, has created ripple effects that strengthen trust, security, and global relationships. Through these experiences, Jim Hake, Founder & CEO of Spirit of America, illustrates how a well-crafted, lived mission statement can unite teams, accelerate decision-making, and build an organizational culture that serves as a force for good in your community, industry, and the wider world. Economic Outlook – Prepare for the year ahead with an economic update from expert Constance Hunter, Chief Economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit. Drawing on EIU’s global research and NAW’s industry data, this essential session will help distribution leaders stay informed on the global and national forces influencing the current business environment and prepare for confident decision-making in the year ahead. |
| 11:15 AM | Break |
| 11:30 AM | Commercial Growth Community Session: Five Imperatives to Advance Distributor Growth – Distributors are redefining growth and shifting focus to new capabilities, services, and technologies. In this session, John Nantz of Redwood Advisors will share five key imperatives essential for distributors to succeed in the current competitive environment based on in-depth interviews with more than 25 NAW members and survey data from 100+ distributors. The discussion will move beyond identifying trends, inviting participants to compare approaches, explore maturity across each imperative, and work through practical steps to strengthen their organization’s commercial performance. |
| 11:30 AM | Operational Excellence Community Session: Forecasting & Resource Planning for the Modern Distributor – Volatility has become a constant, forcing distributors to rethink how demand forecasting and resource planning are built and governed. This session explores how leaders are recalibrating forecasting models and aligning financial and operational assumptions while building more adaptive planning disciplines and teams. |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch |
| 12:30 PM | Women in Distribution Luncheon – Pre-Registration Required |
| 1:15 PM | Break |
| 1:40 PM | Doors close for mainstage programming – Featured Keynote |
| 3:00 PM | Break |
| 3:15 PM | Commercial Growth Community Session: Maintaining Advantage in a New Era of Customers – As customer expectations evolve, distributors must be clear about the value they uniquely provide and how to deliver it at scale. In this session, learn how Grainger uses meaningful customer data, digital capabilities and human expertise together to strengthen customer trust and drive commercial excellence. |
| 3:15 PM | Operational Excellence Community Session: Modern Supply Chain Risk Management – Through a focused conversation on emerging threats and practical mitigation strategies, attendees gain clarity on how resilient supply chains support sustained growth and protect the legacy of their organizations. |
| 4:00 PM | Break |
| 5:30 PM | Sips & Strategy Happy Hours – Invitation Only |
| 7:00 PM | NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Gala |
| 10:00 PM | Evening Concludes |
Day 3: Wednesday January 28, 2026
| 5:30 AM | Walk/Run Participants Gather in Lobby |
| 5:45 AM | Fun Run or Guided Walking Tour – Pre-Registration Required |
| 6:45 AM | Return to the Grand Hyatt |
| 7:00 AM | Break |
| 8:00 AM | Future Member Breakfast – Invitation Only |
| 8:00 AM | Advisory Councils Breakfast – Invitation Only |
| 8:00 AM | General Breakfast |
| 8:45 AM | Break |
| 9:00 AM | Mainstage Programming Fireside Chat with the Hon. Sean Duffy, United States Secretary of Transportation NAW Business CEO Panel – This flagship conversation gathers industry leaders to share how they are navigating pressure, shaping long-term direction, and building organizations that can endure constant change. From Washington to Your Warehouse |
| 11:30 AM | Executive Summit Concludes |
Featured Speakers
Vesna Brajkovic
Senior Editor
MDM
Theresa Campobasso
Senior Vice President, Government Success
Exiger
J.D. Ewing
Chairman and CEO, COE Distributing, and Chairman of NAW Institute Board of Directors
Jim Hake
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Spirit of America
Mike Hockett
Executive Editor
MDM
Julie Holmes
Founder
The Smarter HQ
Eric Hoplin
President and CEO
NAW
Laura Huang
Associate Professor of
Business Administration
Harvard Business School
Constance Hunter
Chief Economist
Economist Intelligence Unit
Patrick McCurdy III
President
Kimball Midwest
John Nantz
Founder
Redwood Advisors
Roger Raley
VP & General Manager
Waldom Electronics
Patricia Rausch
VP Education
NAW
Dan Schuberth
Chief Revenue Officer
NAW
Katie Poehling Seymour
CEO First Supply LLC; Director, NAW Board of Directors
Kevin Short
President & CEO, ORS Nasco, and Chairman of NAW Board of Directors
Travis Sullivan
Vice President & General Manager
Boeing Distribution Services
Bart Tessel
Chief Innovation Officer
NAW
Abe Thomas
Group VP, Customer Strategy, Sales Operations, and Marketing
Grainger
Hon. Russ Vought
Director of OMB
Natasha Wells
SVP, Member Experience
NAW
Brian Wild
Chief Government Relations Officer
NAW
Gala
Join the NAW Institute for an unforgettable evening at the annual gala and Distributors Deliver award ceremony, taking place from 7–10 PM on Tuesday at the iconic Library of Congress. As we gather in one of the most majestic buildings in Washington, D.C., we’ll celebrate the spirit of American enterprise surrounded by the nation’s vast storehouse of knowledge, history, and culture. Your commitment to the distribution industry will be honored in a setting that reflects the enduring power of ideas and innovation – reminding us not only of where we’ve been, but where we are going.
The evening is black tie optional, with an emphasis on elevated evening wear and flexibility. Tuxedos and gowns are encouraged, but a refined suit, blazer, or cocktail dress is equally appropriate. Attendees are invited to arrive polished and confident as we commemorate America’s 250th birthday and NAW’s 80th Anniversary in a truly distinguished setting.
Call for Nominations
The NAW Distributors Deliver Award
This prestigious award honors the groundbreaking efforts of wholesaler-distributors who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to innovation, philanthropic contributions, and driving transformative change within the industry. Nominate a deserving individual today and let us recognize the leaders shaping the future of our industry on the industry’s largest stage.
(Nominations are now closed)
Fun Run
Join us on Wednesday morning, for a run/walk at the National Mall, before the day’s sessions begin. Enjoy exercise, fresh air, and beautiful views of Washington, D.C. This activity is open to all fitness levels and offers a great chance to network in a casual, relaxed environment while getting some steps in. To join, express your interest during registration, or email [email protected] if you’ve already signed up. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. We’ll send further details, including the meeting location and time, as the event approaches.
Read the 2025 Summit Highlights
Discover the key moments and highlights from the 2025 Summit. Get a glimpse of the extraordinary experiences that await you and see why attending the 2026 Executive Summit is a must for distribution industry leaders.
A few of the 2025 attending companies:
2J Supply Co Inc
ABC Supply Co Inc
ADI
Air Hydro Power
American Pipe & Supply Co Inc
Applicate Commerce
APR Supply Co
Benco Dental Co
Bergquist Inc
Building Products Inc
Bunzl Distribution USA Inc
Campbell Companies
Canadian Bearings Ltd
COE Distributing
Colony Hardware
Competitive Choice Inc
Conklin Metal Industries
D & C North America/Descours & Cabaud
Distribution Management Inc
Do it Best Corp
Dot Foods Inc
DSG
Eastern Metal Supply Inc
Ellsworth Corporation
Endries International Inc
Equipment Controls Co
Ewing Outdoor Supply
Ferguson Enterprises
Field Fastener
First Hyperion LLC
First Supply LLC
FleetPride Inc
Fontel, Inc.
Forest City Trading Group
Genuine Parts Co
Graybar Electric Co Inc
Gypsum Management & Supply
Harbor Foods
Henry Schein Inc
Heritage Distribution Holdings
Hillman Group
Huyett
IEWC
IFP Motion Solutions
ILMO Products Co
Imperial Dade
Inter-County Bakers
IPS Packaging & Automation
ISCO Industries LLC
Johnson Supply
Kenny Pipe & Supply Inc
Kimball Midwest
Kirby Risk Electrical Supply
Kodiak Building Partners
KPM Exceptional LLC
Lawson Products Inc
Lehman Pipe & Plumbing Supply
LINC Systems
Livingston & Haven Inc
Locke Supply Co
Manufacturers Reserve Supply Inc
Marsh Electronics Inc
Martin Inc
Mayoreo
Medart Engine & Marine
MF Supply
MGX Beverage Group
Mighty Auto Parts
Motion & Control Enterprises LLC/MCE
NAPPCO Fastener Company
Nelson-Jameson Inc
Network Distribution
Neuco Inc
OmniCable Corporation
ORS Nasco
Pace International
Palmer Donavin
Parksite Inc
Patterson Companies Inc
Plaza Provision/Plaza Food Systems
Power & Telephone Supply Co
Purity Life Health Products
QXO
Reece USA
Replenex
Roberts Oxygen Co Inc
RS Americas
RS Hughes Co Inc
Salem Fabrication Technologies Group
SEITZ The Fresher Company Inc
Shorr Packaging Corp
Specialty Building Products
Spruce Industries Inc
SPS Companies Inc
Stellar Industrial Supply Inc
Supply Technologies LLC
Swagelok Southeast Texas
Tidewater Power Equipment
Turtle
Uline
United Electric Supply Co Inc
Valin Corporation
Vallen North America
VAMAC Inc
Viking Forest Products LLC
Waldom Electronics
WESCO Distribution Inc
White Cap
Winsupply Inc
WireMasters Inc
Interested in speaking?
The NAW Programs Committee invites members of our business community, academic scholars, and subject matter experts to share their experiences and best practices with individuals in the distribution industry profession.
Thank you to our Sponsors:
Thank you to our Strategic Partners:
Sponsorship Opportunities
Contact Adam Isenberg at [email protected] to learn about sponsorship opportunities.
Cancellation Policy
Any cancelation received 120 days prior to the start date of this event will be refunded 100%. Cancellations received between 120 and 30 days before the start date of this event will be held as a credit that your organization can apply to any event registration fee for employees of the same company for 18 months from the cancelation date. Any cancellations closer to an event than 30 days will not be eligible to receive a credit. All cancellations must be sent to [email protected] for processing. Any credits unused after 18 months from the cancelation date will be written off.
