News Release

Last Chance to Register: 2026 LeadingBetter™ Summit Is April 22

In-person registration closes Friday, April 17. Virtual seats remain available for leaders nationwide.

Louisville, Ky. (April 14, 2026) – With in-person registration closing this Friday, April 17, leaders across the region have one final opportunity to secure their seat at the 2026 LeadingBetter™ Summit, presented by PNC. The one-day event takes place April 22 at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts in Louisville, with virtual attendance available for leaders joining from anywhere in the country.

Now in its annual return as the region’s largest one-day leadership event, the Summit brings together more than 600 executives, managers, and emerging leaders for a full day of nationally recognized speakers, practical skill-building, and the kind of shared experience that sharpens how teams lead together. Organizations that have sent teams in past years consistently report stronger alignment, shared language, and renewed energy in the weeks that follow.

“PNC is committed to investing in the local business landscape and the leaders who contribute to its success, and our continued support for the LeadingBetter Summit underscores that commitment. We look forward to again taking part in this powerful forum as we collectively lean into continuous improvement and skill-building that will create long-term impact for Louisville.”

Kristen Byrd, PNC regional president for Kentucky

Designed as a high-impact, one-day leadership experience, the Summit blends main stage keynotes, interactive in-person breakout sessions, and intentional networking opportunities to maximize learning, connection, and practical application. The agenda includes multiple main stage sessions featuring nationally recognized speakers, along with breakout sessions offering deeper dives into communication, collaboration, and essential leadership skills.

Five National Speakers. One Day. Immediate Impact.

This year’s main stage lineup addresses the leadership capabilities organizations are asking for most right now: communication, trust, accountability, collaboration, and navigating the human dimensions of AI.

In-Person Registration Closes Friday, April 17

In-person capacity at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts is limited, and registration closes at the end of this week. In addition to the full main stage program, in-person attendees have access to four breakout sessions offering hands-on skill development in smaller group settings, along with intentional networking opportunities throughout the day.

Organizations are encouraged to send teams. With approximately 50% of Summit attendees at the director level or above, the event draws leaders from healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education, government, professional services, and nonprofit organizations across the region.

Virtual Attendance: World-Class Leadership Development, No Travel Required

For leaders who can’t make it to Louisville in person, virtual attendance is a full leadership experience. Virtual attendees receive live access to every main stage session in real time, on-demand recordings of all sessions following the event, and access to LeadingBetter™ community resources as a Summit attendee.

Virtual access is particularly well-suited for HR, L&D, and People Operations teams looking to develop multiple leaders at once without the cost or logistics of travel. There is no deadline pressure on virtual registration, and seats remain available after in-person registration closes.

Full details on the virtual experience are available at
leadingbetter.com/summit/virtual.

A Strategic Investment for Organizations

The Summit attracts leaders from healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education, government, professional services, and nonprofit organizations, with approximately 50% of attendees at the director level or above. Many organizations attend as teams, using the experience to strengthen alignment, morale, and leadership capability across roles.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available, offering organizations visibility alongside top regional employers while investing in leadership development and community impact.

Special Thanks to Our Event Sponsors

• Presenting Sponsor: PNC
• Speaker Sponsor: Humana, Inc.
• Luncheon Reception Sponsor: Trilogy Health Services
• Gold Sponsors: Advanced Business Solutions (ABS) and Farm Credit Mid-America
• Silver Sponsors: Churchill Downs, Inc.; EY; Heaven Hill; Louisville Business First; and Louisville Public Media
• Bronze Sponsors: Caesars Southern Indiana; Hardscuffle, Inc.; Kroger; Texas Roadhouse; University of Louisville College of Business; and Yum! Brands, Inc.

About the Leadership Louisville Center & LeadingBetter™

Founded in 1979, the Leadership Louisville Center has graduated over 15,000 leaders through its community leadership programs and professional training courses. Recognized as a national best practice, the Center serves as a catalyst for leadership excellence and civic engagement, empowering individuals and organizations to create meaningful impact.

LeadingBetter™ is the professional training and talent development arm of the Leadership Louisville Center, offering cutting-edge leadership development solutions designed to help individuals and organizations thrive in an ever-changing world. Through open-enrollment courses, customized corporate training, and the annual LeadingBetter Summit, LeadingBetter™ equips leaders at all levels with the skills needed to enhance communication, build high-performing teams, and drive organizational success.

Learn more at
leadershiplouisville.org
and
leadingbetter.com.