We’re excited to be part of Employee Owned 2026 as both a speaker and sponsor! Each year, The ESOP Association brings together the employee ownership community to exchange ideas, build connections, and learn from one another.
Employee Owned 2026 is an opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new members of the ESOP community, and explore the ideas and challenges shaping employee ownership today. We’re proud to support EO26 and look forward to being part of the conversation.
Don't forget to stop by Booth 20 to connect with us!
ESOP Partners Presentations
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Ownership That Sticks: Low-Cost Strategies to Engage and Retain the Next Generation of Employee Owners |
Many ESOP companies share a similar objective: helping newer members of the workforce recognize the significance of employee ownership and embrace the responsibilities that come with it. The challenge often lies in translating ownership from a concept into something employees experience in their daily work. Budget-friendly communication efforts, meaningful involvement, and clear connections between individual contribution and company performance can help foster that connection. Presenters will share approaches that resonate with emerging talent and encourage a deeper sense of ownership, accountability, and belonging. The conversation offers ideas for helping the next generation of employee owners think, contribute, and remain connected to the future success of the company.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify - communication strategies that increase ESOP engagement among employees ages 20-30.
- Implement - budget-friendly ownership culture initiatives using existing employee committees and communication channels.
- Develop - an action plan to improve long-term ESOP understanding, participation, and retention among younger employees.
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Taking Your ESOP Communications Committee to the Next Level |
Advanced strategies and innovative ideas will help ESOP communications committees increase employee engagement, strengthen ownership communications, and expand their impact across the organization. Presenters will share practical approaches, real-world examples, and actionable insights that committees can apply to improve outreach, education, and employee participation.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the purpose and power of an ESOP Communications Committee
- Define clear roles, responsibilities, and governance that drive accountability
- Identify common pitfalls that cause committees to stall and how to avoid them
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Workshop: Culture, Alignment, & Engagement |
Great culture is built on a foundation of clarity, trust, and consistent engagement. This session offers a hands-on look at how communication shapes the employee experience and drives organizational resilience.
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Avoiding Inadvertent 409(p) Violations |
Understanding the consequences of a Code Section 409(p) violation is critical for ESOP-owned S corporations. Attendees will explore the requirements of Code Section 409(p), identify common situations that can trigger compliance issues, and learn practical strategies for preventing inadvertent violations. The discussion will provide guidance on monitoring ownership structures, evaluating transaction impacts, and maintaining ongoing compliance.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe what 409(p) requires and covers.
- Understand how deferred compensation, warrants and other benefit or financing structures can result in a violation of 409(p).
- Demonstrate how inadvertent violations can be avoided.
We invite you to join us and hundreds of passionate professionals from across industries as we explore how employee ownership shapes the future of business, and maximizes organizational success. Together, let’s celebrate the power of shared ownership.
Additional ESOP Partners Team Members Attending
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| Kris Kaul Senior Business Consultant |
Eric Strebe Director of Business Consulting |
Will Robinson Senior Business Consultant |
Jake Niehof Senior ESOP Administrator |
Look forward to seeing you at Employee Owned 2026.