4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
ASA EMERGE TOUR OF AT&T STADIUM* (HOME OF THE DALLAS COWBOYS) Optional Event
ASA EMERGE attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at AT&T Stadium, the state-of-the-art home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. Tour includes stops in the press box, locker room area and on the field. Food and drink tickets provided after the tour. Walkable from Live! By Loews.
*Additional per-attendee cost.

8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
EMERGING LEADERS ADVISORY GROUP MEETING
*By invitation only

9 a.m – 5 p.m.
REGISTRATION OPEN

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
NEW: EMERGING LEADERS FOUNDER’S CLUB RECEPTION
If you are currently in or are moving into a C-suite position (owner, part-owner, president, CEO, etc.), stop by this new EMERGE event and network with individuals in similar roles.

1 p.m. – 2:15pm
EMERGE KICKOFF GENERAL SESSION
The FUNomenal Workplace
Speaker: Tony Brigmon

Tony Brigmon, known as the former “Ambassador of FUN” for Southwest Airlines, played a pivotal role in pioneering the positive culture movement in corporate America. This fun and practical interactive session will address how a positive mindset can significantly improve brain health, increase productivity and foster creativity within teams.

2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
EMERGING LEADERS BEST PRACTICES WORKSHOP

Building off the highly successful Emerging Leaders best practices roundtable session that has been a staple of this event for years, attendees will gather in groups to find solutions to real work-related problems, and present their findings to the entire EMERGE audience.

4:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
FIRST-TIME ATTENDEE ORIENTATION/RECEPTION
If you are a first-time attendee of EMERGE, stop by and network with other EMERGE newcomers and meet members of the Emerging Leaders Advisory Group.

5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
EMERGE WELCOME RECEPTION

8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
NETWORKING BREAKFAST

9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
GENERAL SESSION
From Battlefield to Homefront: Building Teams, Leading Them, Getting Stuff Done
Speaker: Lieutenant Colonel Steve Russell
 

Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Steve Russell was a key leader in the hunt and capture of Sadam Hussein. In this session, attendees will learn key leadership insights from an experienced battlefield commander, including how do you build teams to accomplish tasks when they look impossible.
 

10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
EMERGING LEADERS BEST PRACTICES ROUNDTABLE SESSION
Join peers to discuss best practices, industry challenges and solutions. In a new twist, tables will feature a mix of wholesalers, suppliers and reps. Attendees will receive an exclusive post-show report summarizing each group’s findings.
 

12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
NETWORKING LUNCH
Enjoy lunch with EMERGE attendees while hearing an update from 2026 ASA President Kip Miller (Eastern Industrial Supplies), the ASA Education Foundation and the Emerging Leaders Division’s longstanding important relationship with Operation Rise and Conquer.

1:45pm – 3:00pm
EMERGE KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Football Afternoon in Arlington
Speaker: Jason Garrett

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and head coach and current NBC Football Night in America co-host Jason Garrett will talk about his professional journey in an interview setting sure to be loaded with important takeaways for EMERGE attendees.
 

4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
EMERGE NIGHT OUT CLOSING EVENT
Sports & Social Arlington at Texas Live!

Celebrate the conclusion of EMERGE2026 with a fun night filled with skeeball, table tennis, bowling, shuffleboard, air hockey, old-school arcade games, virtual golf simulations and more. Drinks and dinner provided. A short walk from Live! By Loews.