Attendees Say Leadership Growth and Peer Connections Defined EMERGE2026

More than 200 attendees and 100 first-timers joined ASA in Arlington, Texas at Live! By Loews for EMERGE2026.

EMERGE2026 brought nearly 200 emerging leaders from across the PHCP-PVF channel, including distributors, manufacturers and independent manufacturers’ reps, to Arlington, Texas, May 18-20, for three days of leadership development, networking and peer collaboration focused on the future of the industry. Held at Live! by Loews, this year’s event welcomed roughly 100 first-time attendees and featured a programming lineup that blended leadership-focused keynote sessions, collaborative workshops, roundtable discussions and networking experiences designed to help attendees build stronger connections across the industry.

The event featured keynote sessions from former Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Steve Russell and former Southwest Airlines “Ambassador of FUN” Tony Brigmon, alongside peer-driven Best Practices workshops and roundtable discussions centered on leadership, workplace culture, technology implementation, succession planning and professional development. EMERGE2026 also included an inaugural Founders Club reception where upcoming C-suite executives were invited to network with peers in similar roles. 

While the speakers and networking opportunities drew praise throughout post-event surveys and social media discussions, many attendees said the biggest value came from the ability to connect with peers facing similar challenges across distribution, manufacturing and rep organizations.

“A lot of leadership insights, great conversations, new connections, and enough networking coffee to last me the rest of the year,” joked Whitley Howard of Porter Pipe & Supply in a LinkedIn post following the event. Howard added that hearing perspectives from Jason Garrett, Steve Russell and Tony Brigmon while connecting with professionals across the industry made the event especially valuable.

Several attendees highlighted the roundtable and collaborative workshop formats as some of the event’s most impactful experiences.

“At two different types of round table activities, I was able to make new connections and share ideas on real world work challenges,” wrote Laura Mustee Hendricks of E.L Mustee & Sons.

Survey responses echoed similar sentiments.

“The round table discussions are very useful. They help to network too,” one attendee noted in post-event feedback.

Others praised the interactive workshop structure and peer collaboration opportunities.

“The Best Practices workshop had topics that are highly relevant and the team dynamic was thoroughly a great experience,” another attendee shared.

Jake Holzwart of First Supply said the conference delivered a combination of inspiration, peer learning and relationship building. “The speakers were inspirational, roundtable discussions were informational and fun, and the networking was incredible,” Holzwart wrote. “Not only did I get to meet some amazing leaders from all over the country, but I also got to bond with members of our own First Supply family.”

Many attendees also pointed to leadership development as one of the event’s biggest takeaways.

InSinkErator's Bethany Hawkins described one of the event’s central themes simply: “Leadership is service.”

“Managers manage tasks. Leaders build trust, create belief, momentum, and again ENERGY,” Hawkins added while reflecting on lessons surrounding communication, positivity and team culture.

Colin Folk of Missouri Pipe Fittings said the conference reinforced the importance of stepping outside of daily routines to continue growing professionally.

“One of the biggest takeaways for me was the value of getting outside of your normal day-to-day environment and surrounding yourself with people who are pushing to grow, both personally and professionally,” Folk shared. “Our industry is built on relationships, and events like EMERGE reinforce how important networking, collaboration, and shared experiences are to developing the next generation of leaders.”

Jason Garrett’s keynote session generated particularly strong feedback across both surveys and social media posts. Lindsay Cox, who introduced Garrett at the event, reflected on how his leadership style left an impression even before he stepped on stage. “What stood out most was simple: The best leaders don’t just lead from the front, they make the people around them feel seen,” she wrote.

Survey feedback also repeatedly highlighted Garrett and Steve Russell’s sessions as memorable moments from the conference.

“And WOW — Steve Russell’s and Jason Garrett’s stories and relatable deliveries were outstanding,” one attendee wrote in the survey responses.

Tony Brigmon’s session on workplace culture and energy also resonated with many attendees. One respondent said the sessions from Brigmon, Russell and Garrett collectively offered “valuable perspectives on leadership, accountability, culture, and the importance of how you show up every day.”

The event also sparked conversations about broader industry issues and future-focused leadership

The overwhelming sentiment from attendees centered on connection, growth and continued investment in future industry leaders. “Investing in future leaders and continued learning remains an important part of who we are as a company and industry partner,” First Supply shared on LinkedIn following the event.

For many attendees, especially the roughly 100 first-timers, EMERGE2026 served as both a leadership conference and a reminder that the future of the PHCP-PVF industry will continue to be shaped through collaboration, relationship building and shared learning experiences across the channel.