2026 NACD Annual Meeting

Join us for modern luxury near music row at the Conrad Nashville. Room reservations can be made now using the link below.

Reserve Your Room

2026 Annual Meeting Keynote Speakers

Will Bowen

Complaint Free® Leadership-Positive Growth In A Negative World

Leaders get bombarded by complaints every single day!

Complaints from employees, colleagues, customers, suppliers, and even family and friends can drain a leader’s energy, time, and resources, leading to anxiety, frustration, and burnout.

In today’s world of endless negativity, bringing out the best in yourself and others can seem impossible.

In this eye-opening presentation, you’ll learn how to…

• Identify And Address The (5) Types Of Complaints.
• Create A Collaborative, Possibility-Focused Team.
• Turn Negative Feedback Into Positive Breakthroughs.

This presentation teaches leaders easy-to-implement, powerful, and practical skills for achieving extraordinary growth even during difficult times.

David Avrin

Ridiculously Easy to Do Business With™

Responding to a new generation of customer wants, needs and expectations.

How, when and where we buy has changed dramatically in recent years. Winning today is often determined by those who can respond faster, simplify their process and are more convenient for their customers and clients. In this revealing, thought-provoking and very entertaining presentation, popular Customer Experience expert David Avrin, CSP, GSF shines a bright light on the profound shift in customer expectations, while showing your team everyone’s role in eliminating friction in the buying process, responding to prospects and customers, and creating Customer Experiences worth sharing.

Welcome Dinner at the Conrad

Soloist Makena Hartlin will be performing during our Welcome Dinner at the Conrad Hotel.  She is a Nashville based artist who writes her own lyrics. Her song "Conspiracy Theory," won Song of The Year in 2024 from Songwriting Magazine.

Tuesday Dinner at Pinewood Social

Miguel Dakota and Band will  take the stage Tuesday night at our off-site dinner at Pinewood Social.  

With influences that range from rock and soul to Americana and blues, Miguel Dakota creates music that is both timeless and deeply personal, connecting listeners to the universal themes of love, freedom, and faith.

Rancher Hat Bar will have a pop-up at our event. You'll have the opportunity to purchase a custom hat to take home with you. Rancher, Cowboy and Trucker hats will be available.

Get in round of bowling at Pinewood Social's a 6-lane retro bowling alley.  Shoes and balls are provided.

Awards Dinner Entertainment

We'll be hosting our awards dinner at the Country Music Hall of Fame.  

Greenwood Rye, a modern jam grass band, who played at our 2024 meeting in Georgia will join us again this year!  Wear your dancing shoes!

Gary Jenkins will join us as our MC for the night. Gary has been performing since his teen year. He has appeared in numerous television shows,  commercials and co-starred in the feature motion picture “The Song."

Networking Opportunities

Speed Networking

Tuesday & Wednesday

Speed Networking returns at our Annual Meeting! This popular event  offers a unique opportunity for supplier companies to meet one-on-one with distributor companies. You will build valuable connections and explore new opportunities. We'll host 6 rounds of 15-minute sessions before taking a break for lunch.

Scavenger Hunt

Tuesday

We are excited to offer this unique opportunity at this year's meeting.  Join a team of 4-10 players as you make your way through the city to compete in a scavenger hunt.  You will complete photo, video, and trivia challenges along the way, all while networking with fellow NACD members.

Our Home Base: The Conrad Hotel

Most of our meeting will place at the Conrad Hotel in Nashville.  Enjoy views of the city from the rooftop terrace!

Tuesday Night: Pinewood Social

Our Tuesday night dinner will be off-site at Pinewood Social. You'll be able to mingle, get in a round of bowling, create a custom hat with Rancher Hat Bar (guests purchase their own hats), and enjoy live music.  

Awards Dinner: Country Music Hall of Fame

On Wednesday night, we'll be heading to the Country Music Hall of Fame for our reception and awards show dinner.  You'll be able to explore the museum galleries beginning at 5:30 before our cocktail hour starts at 6:00.

Spouse Tour: Goo Goo Candy Making

Wednesday, May 6

The Wine & Chocolate experience at our Nashville store features multiple wines paired with some of our beautiful handmade bonbons. You'll learn a little about wine, taste some amazing chocolates, and even get to create your own custom Goo Goo!

Golf Tournament to benefit the HHMSF
Gaylord Springs Golf Links

Thursday, May 7

8:00am Shotgun Start

Our golf tournament will take place at the Gaylord Springs Golf Links:

Gaylord Springs, designed by US Open and PGA champion Larry Nelson, offers challenges for golfers of any skill level. The links-style course demands accuracy to stay clear of the deep bunkers, water hazards and rolling grass mounds but also requires creativity and a soft touch around the undulating, MiniVerde Bermuda grass greens. The course is enhanced by federally protected wetlands. Gaylord Springs has earned its place among the nation's best. The course has won numerous awards throughout the years including being voted one of the Best Courses You Can Play by GolfWeek. At the signature fourth hole, you'll find the century-old springhouse from which the club derived its name. Carved from the banks of the meandering Cumberland River and bordered by limestone bluffs and wetlands, Gaylord Springs Golf Links will test and enthuse you from the moment you tee off until you pull your ball from the cup.