BUILDING SMARTER PRIVATE COMPANY BOARDS

June 10-12, 2026 | Washington, D.C.

THE ONLY NATIONAL CONFERENCE  FOCUSED ON PRIVATE COMPANY GOVERNANCE FROM BOTH THE OWNER AND DIRECTOR PERSPECTIVES.

Private company boards are facing a new era of expectations — one that demands sharper strategy, broader expertise and a more future-focused mindset. At The Private Company Governance Summit 2026 (PCGS), we’ll explore what it truly means to build smarter boards. From launching your first board to navigating the complexities of succession, AI, risk and compensation, this year’s program delivers the insights, tools and peer connections needed to elevate your governance practices and strengthen your company’s long-term success.

Across 2.5 days, leading directors, governance experts and business owners will dive into pressing issues: who belongs in the boardroom today, how to balance oversight with partnership, where to find the next CEO and how to transform risk into opportunity. With sessions on board refreshment, assessment, strategy alignment and the evolving role of private company boards, PCGS 2026 equips attendees to drive growth while protecting what matters most. Join us to learn how to turn your board into a powerful lever for smarter leadership, stronger companies and more resilient legacies.

 SESSIONS INCLUDE:

• Who Belongs on Today’s Family and Private Company Board?
• How Private Company Boards Turn Risk into Opportunity
• How Close Is Too Close? Navigating the Board/Management Relationship
• Preparing for the Next CEO: What Every Board Should Know
• The Art of Board Assessment and Refreshment
• The CEO You Need (and How to Find Them)
• From Guardrails to Growth: The Board’s Strategic Role 
• Best Practices for Board Compensation

YOUR REGISTRATION INCLUDES:

 The 2026 Dinner and Private Company Boards of the Year Awards

Join us for a presentation of the winners of the 2026 Private Company Boards of the Year Awards. Hear from each of the winners as they discuss the role of good governance in their companies.

Sneak Peek of the 2026 Private Company Board Compensation Survey Results

Be among the first to preview the newly updated results of our renowned Private Company Board Compensation Survey, which now features a database of 2,000+privately owned companies. 

 NEW!  Demo Workshop: How to Really Use AI

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

PCGS was created for the owners, shareholders, senior executives and advisory/fiduciary board members of privately held, family-owned and private equity invested companies. The event accommodates companies anywhere in their governance development — from just starting out to adding sophistication and improving the execution of already high-performing boards. Many full boards attend PCGS to advance their learning and perspectives, and there are special rates for them.

ABOUT PCGS

The Private Company Governance Summit, now in its 14th year, is the only national conference focused exclusively on governance excellence for privately held, family-owned and private equity invested companies. More than 750 middle-market private companies have participated in PCGS to develop new governance strategies and benchmark their own board progress against best-in-class private company boards.

PCGS OFFERS:

The tools to develop road maps for high-performing fiduciary and advisory boards.

Speakers who are private company owners and shareholders or serving directors, sharing practical, real-world experience.

Immediately usable takeaways.

Expertly facilitated peer group discussions on key governance issues.

Networking and relationships with other owners, shareholders and directors.

A powerful conference app for quick access to program details, attendee information, resource center materials and session speakers.

HEAR WHAT OUR ATTENDEES HAVE TO SAY ABOUT PCGS...

“The conference completely changed my view on how a board is conducted and run.”

 “A unique place to get a lot of good information and be exposed to new ideas. I left inspired and curious about bringing some ideas back to our board.”

“The quality of the attendees and the speakers was incredible! The collective experience in that room was very humbling."

Cancellation Policy

All conference cancellations must be made in writing and sent to Alyssa Penecale, Directors & Boards, 1845 Walnut St., Ste 900, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or emailed to alyssa.penecale@familybusinessmagazine.com. Registrants who cancel more than four weeks prior to the program date are entitled to a full refund of the registration fee less an administrative fee of $150 per registrant; if canceled within four weeks, but more than 10 business days prior to the conference date, 50% of the conference registration fee will be refunded less an administrative fee of $150 per registrant; within 10 business days of the conference date and no shows, no refund is possible.

Directors & Boards may cancel the program if attendance does not meet required levels; in case of cancellation or rescheduling, full refunds of registration fees will be made. Travel fares and hotel deposits cannot be reimbursed.

Questions? Please contact Alyssa Penecale at 215-405-6063