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.

Registration is Open

The Legacy Leadership Program is committed to creating a trusted, non-transactional environment where family business leaders can engage in candid conversations about the opportunities and challenges unique to family enterprise.

To preserve this peer-learning experience, general registration for the It’s All Relative Family Business Symposium is reserved primarily for family business owners, senior executives (including non-family executives and board members), family trust directors, family council and family office leaders, and shareholders of family-owned businesses whose primary business is other than advising family-owned businesses.

Attendees are expected to respect the confidentiality of discussions and refrain from solicitation, prospecting, or client recruitment activities. Our goal is simple: create a space where family business leaders feel comfortable sharing real experiences, asking difficult questions, and learning from one another.

Thank you for helping us maintain the trust and integrity of this community.

Registration Closes September 14th

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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 5th annual Family Business Symposium 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 symposium is designed specifically for Mississippi family business leaders who need actionable solutions. Whether you’re first generations or fourth generation, this symposium invites you to be in the room!

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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      Opening Keynote: 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       Powering Through Generations  |  Fireside Chat with Brian Robinson, 3rd Generation President & CEO at Robinson Electric Company


2:00 pm       Coffee Break with Sponsors


2:15 pm       Independent Board Directors' Panel  |  Moderated by Clay Dibrell
      
      PANELISTS:
      Christopher Ray, CEO at The Ramey Agency

      Ned Rand, Former President and Chief Executive Officer at ProAssurance Corporation
      
      Wesley Goings, President at Telapex, Inc.


3:15 pm        Dividend and Redemption Policies  |  Travis Harms, President at Mercer Capital and Tripp Crews, Vice President at Mercer Capital


4:30 pm        Case Study I - Amplifying Family Business Stories  |  Will Hunt, Beth Hunt, and Kallen Alderman, Hunt Marketing Firm  |  Moderated by Dr. Allyn Cascio, CIE Director of Strategic Partnerships


5:30 PM - 7:00 PM      Reception

Wednesday, September 16

7:30 AM        Check-In & Breakfast


8:00 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


8:30 AM       Revisit Day One Learnings  |  Liza Cirlot Looser, Founder, CEO and Chairman of The Cirlot Agency, and Dr. Allyn Cascio

9:00 AM        Case Study II - Fiduciary Fundamentals  |  Scott Reed, Chief Executive Officer at Hardy Reed, LLC


9:45 AM        Coffee Break with Sponsors


10:00 AM       Family Governance |  Angelo J. Loumbas, Executive Director & Family Office Resources Generalist at Morgan Stanley


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


12:00 PM       Departure (Lunch To-Go)

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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!