5th annual It’s All Relative Family Business Symposium

September 15-16, 2026 | Sheraton Flowood Refuge Hotel & Conference Center

At the 2026 Family Business Symposium, we’ll explore governance and what it truly means to build smarter boards.

Our Mission

Family businesses are the foundation of Mississippi’s economy, yet they face unique challenges in leadership, succession, and sustainability. As a part of the UM CIE Legacy Leadership Program, the It’s All Relative Family Business Symposium is dedicated to empowering family-owned businesses by providing a platform for leaders, family members, and employees to connect, learn, and grow.

Through expert-led discussions, best practice sharing, and collaborative networking, we aim to equip attendees with the tools and knowledge to navigate the unique challenges of family business ownership and ensure the success and sustainability of their legacies for generations to come.

Symposium Highlights

This 2-day event provides thought-provoking keynotes, expert-led discussions, and interactive sessions tailored to the needs of family enterprises. Whether you are navigating leadership transitions, implementing growth strategies or fostering innovation, this symposium delivers the knowledge and resources to help your business thrive across generations.

The Family Business Symposium 2026 dives deep into a critical pillar of long-term business survival: Governance and Boards. Attendees will unpack the exact blueprints required to transition your business from an informal, reactionary operation into a legacy powerhouse governed with intent, clarity, and foresight.

• The Problem: Overlapping boundaries where business arguments bleed into family holidays, and family drama dictates business strategy.

• The Solution: Designing clear boundaries through Family Councils and Family Constitutions. Consequently, you will learn how to govern the family’s relation to the business completely separate from day-to-day operations.

This is not a passive lecture series. Instead, this is a strategic corporate governance symposium designed specifically for Mississippi family business leaders who need actionable solutions.

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Symposium Agenda

Tuesday, September 15

9:45 AM       Check-In


10:30 AM      Opening Remarks  |  Dr. Clay Dibrell, Co-Director of the Ole Miss CIE


10:45 AM      Building an Organizational Culture  |  Joey Havens, CPA, CGMA, and author of Leading with Significance: How to Create a Magnetic, People-First Culture


11:30 AM     Networking Lunch


1:00 pm       Keynote Address


2:00 pm       Coffee Break with Sponsors


2:15 pm       Independent Board Directors' Panel  |  Moderated by Wesley Goings, President at Telapex, Inc.
      
      PANELISTS:
      Christopher Ray, CEO at The Ramey Agency

      Ned Rand, President and Chief Executive Officer of ProAssurance Corporation


3:15 pm        Business Valuations  |  Travis Harms, President of Mercer Capital


4:30 pm        Closing Speaker


5:30 PM - 7:00 PM      Reception

Wednesday, September 16

7:30 AM        Check-In & Breakfast


8:15 AM        The State of Family Business Research  |  Dr. Clay Dibrell, Co-Director of the Ole Miss CIE and Dr. Chelsea Sherlock Wagner, Assistant Professor of Management at Mississippi State University


8:45 AM       Revisit Day One Learnings  |  Liza Cirlot Looser, Founder, CEO and Chairman of The Cirlot Agency, and Dr. Allyn Cascio, CIE Director of Strategic Partnerships


9:00 AM        Case Study II


9:45 AM        Coffee Break with Sponsors


10:00 AM       Family Governance |  Glenn Kurlander, Managing Director at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and Head of Family Governance & Wealth Education


10:45 AM       Live Data Feedback  |  Facilitated by Dr. Clay Dibrell


11:00 AM       Closing Keynote  |  Al Williams, CEO at Bush Brothers & Company    


12:00 PM       Departure (Lunch To-Go)

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Registration

Early bird registration (opens June 16th): $499/person – $399 for additional attendees in same registration group. Early bird registration ends August 18th.

Registration: $749/person – $399 for additional attendees in same registration group

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Become a Sponsor

Invest in the continuity of Mississippi family businesses by becoming a sponsor for the It’s All Relative Family Business Symposium. With your support, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship can continue to provide informational and networking opportunities for family business owners, leaders and employees in Mississippi.

Email ciefb@olemiss.edu for more information on sponsorships.

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Stay in the Know

Click here to subscribe to the Family Forum Newsletter to receive updates about the symposium directly to your inbox!