2026 Business & Industry Conference - IN PERSON - 2ND DAY ONLY

Overview

Join us for the 2026 Business & Industry Conference, August 13–14 at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, as part of Ledgers & Legends Week. This year’s program is designed for professionals navigating a business environment defined by rapid change, where technology, markets, and workforce expectations continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace.

Additional Highlights to Note 

• Included with your registration: a complimentary ticket to the Annual Meeting Lunch on Friday, featuring updates on leadership and a look ahead at the future of the profession, plus time to connect with peers. 
• Stay an extra night for the 2nd Annual Ledgers & Legends Ball on Saturday at The Ritz-Carlton, a black-tie optional celebration honoring CPA achievements with live music, dinner, open bar, awards, and an unforgettable evening of connection.

AGENDA
 
Thursday, August 13    
  
7:30 – 8:00 am Registration & Continental Breakfast 
 
8:30 – 9:45 am 
Meeting the Challenge: Investment Strategy in an Era of Disruption 
Lawrence Hatheway, PHD •  Franklin Templeton •  Redding, CT 
Global markets are being disrupted—by geopolitical fragmentation, economic dislocation, and technology. In his presentation, Larry Hatheway explores what this means for capital markets and investment strategy. Larry will discuss the impacts of disruption on macroeconomics & markets—on growth, productivity, inflation, profitability, and risk premia—as well as how investors must re-think portfolio management in a world in flux. 
 
9:45 – 10:05 am     Break 
 
10:05 – 11:05 am  
Safeguarding the Future: Applying Security to AI 
Les Nettleton • Retired - Bourgeois Bennett, LLC • Metairie, LA 
This session will explore the critical importance of security in artificial intelligence systems. We will cover potential risks, including data breaches, adversarial attacks, and ethical concerns.? We will also look at bias, manipulation, and explainability, all while highlighting best practices. 
 
11:05 am – 12:00 pm 
How to Attract and Retain Talent 
Adrian Owne Jones, CFRE • Success Labs • Baton Rouge, LA 
 
12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch 
  
1:00 – 1:50 pm  
What Got You Here Won't Get You There: Communication Skills for the Next Stage of Your Accounting Career 
Jenn Braud Lambert, CPA • Attracct • Baton Rouge, LA 
The technical skills that earn you a CPA license are not the same skills that get you to the next level — and the data backs it up: communication consistently ranks as the profession's #1 competency, yet it remains the most common reason qualified candidates fall short of advancement. In this session, Jenn draws on her own journey from individual contributor to leadership to explore practical communication tools that bridge the gap between technically excellent and genuinely effective, giving attendees a concrete, immediately applicable system for understanding the people around them, adapting their communication style, and becoming more effective leaders, colleagues, and advisors. 
 
1:50 – 2:40 pm 
Tax Update: What Business Leaders and Their Advisors Need to Know Now 
Greg Booth, CPA • EisnerAmper • Metairie, LA  
This session delivers a practical overview of the latest federal and state & local tax developments affecting businesses today. We'll also take a deep dive into tariff refund opportunities — including how to identify eligibility and steps to pursue recovery.  
 
2:40 – 3:00 pm Break 
 
3:00 – 3:50 pm 
Coaching and Mentoring in Todays Environment 
Lauren Navarre, JD • Arena • Slidell, LA 
Effective leadership hinges on understanding people, building systems, and communicating with clarity. This presentation explores how leveraging behavioral assessments to unlock individual strengths, implementing scalable operating systems to drive consistent execution, and thoughtfully articulating a vision can transform a team's performance and culture. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies to coach and mentor with greater intent and sustainable results. 
 
3:50 – 4:50 pm 
Recent Changes in Louisiana Estate Planning and Successions Law 
Jeremy Call, JD •    • Covington, LA  
The presentation will provide a review of recent legislative and judicial developments involving Louisiana estate planning and succession, with a?focus on changes to the requirements for the validity of estate planning documents, namely wills and power of attorneys, as well as general changes within the succession laws of Louisiana. The presentation will also focus on practical guidance for identifying planning opportunities and coordination with CPAs, financial advisors, and estate planning lawyers, and will provide helpful ideas to avoid common succession pitfalls. 
 
  
Friday, August 14 
 
8:00 – 9:20 am 
Professional Issues Update 
Ron Gitz, CPA, CGMA • Executive Director/CEO - Society of Louisiana CPAs • Metairie, LA 
David Zoller • Society of Louisiana CPAs • Metairie, LA 
 
9:20 – 9:40 am Break 
  
9:40 – 10:55 am   
Headwinds 2026: What Inhibits Carrier Ability to Control Healthcare Costs 
Michael Bertaut, MBA, CHC, PAHM • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana • Baton Rouge, LA 
In 2026 there are a very specific set of inhibitors throwing sand in the gears of slowing down rising healthcare costs.? Some of these have been evolving slowly over time, While others are brand new and their impact is just starting to be understood. In order to provide meaningful employer benefits in this environment, Managers must  
Understand these cost drivers and what they can reasonable achieve in moderating them. 
 
10:55 am – 12:10 pm 
AI-Powered Spreadsheets: The CPA's New Competitive Edge 
Trace Armstrong • Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC • Birmingham, AL 
The spreadsheet isn't going away — it's getting smarter. This session explores how AI is transforming the way CPAs interact with Excel and other tools, from natural language formulas and automated data analysis to AI-assisted modeling and anomaly detection. We'll demonstrate real-world applications tailored to business and industry professionals, address common concerns around accuracy and reliability, and help you evaluate which AI tools deserve a place in your workflow. Whether you're just getting started or looking to go deeper, you'll leave with a clear roadmap for integrating AI into your day-to-day spreadsheet work. 
 
12:10 – 1:10 pm Lunch 
 
1:10 – 2:30 pm 
Today’s Cyber Landscape: Risks, Realities, and the CPA’s Role
Allison Ward, CPA, CISA, CISSP, CISM • CRI Advisors, LLC • Baton Rouge, LA 
Cybersecurity risks continue to evolve, requiring organizations to stay alert as both new threats and long standing vulnerabilities persist. In this session, we’ll examine the current state of the cyber landscape and what it means for today’s organizations. Through practical examples and common risk scenarios, we’ll highlight why these issues matter and where professionals play a role in reducing exposure. Attendees will gain insight into practical steps that can strengthen awareness, improve resilience, and help reduce overall organizational risk. 
 
2:30 – 2:50 pm Break 
 
2:50 – 4:20 pm 
Gazing into the Crystal Ball: looking Ahead to 2027-28 
Loren Scott, PhD • Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc. • Baton Rouge, LA 
What will be driving employment across different sections of the State in 2027-28?  What role will data centers play, especially in the region above I10?  What will the war's impact be on the oil, LNG, and chemical sectors of the economy?  Has AI begun to have an impact on employment trends? 

The 2026 Business & Industry Conference is part of our 2nd Annual Ledgers and Legends Week, a week dedicated to connection, learning, and celebration across Louisiana’s accounting and finance community at the Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans. Join us for one or multiple events during this full week of learning, connection, and celebration across the profession.

• Women's Conference (Wednesday, August 12)
• Ethics for Business & Industry (Wednesday, August 12)
• Ledgers and Legends Ball (Saturday, August 15)
• Ethics for Public Practice (Sunday, August 16)
• Louisiana/Governmental Accounting & Auditing Conference (Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 18)
• Forensic, Litigation, and Valuation Services Conference (Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 18)

Relax & Recharge During Ledgers & Legends Week
Take time to unwind during your conference stay at the Ritz Spa with exclusive wellness perks.

• Louisiana Residents: Enjoy 20% off spa services Monday–Thursday with valid Louisiana ID. 
• LCPA Attendees: Enjoy a 15% discount through the weekend by mentioning LCPA and the contracted discount when booking & checking out.

Notice

HOTEL INFORMATION
Business & Industry Conference attendees get exclusive rates on rooms for this event starting at $164/night:

The Ritz Carlton New Orleans
921 Canal St.
New Orleans, LA 70112
504.524.1331

Book by July 21!

RESERVE ONLINE

SPONSOR THIS EVENT

Sponsorship is a great way to connect with CPA professionals and increase your visibility within the community. To learn more or recommend a sponsor, contract Diedra Allen at dallen@louisiana.cpa or click here for more information.