The retirement industry is converging on Tampa starting this weekend for the 2026 NAPA 401(k) Summit, where the American Retirement Association is anticipating a record 1,500 retirement plan advisors among over 3,000 total attendees.
The Tampa Convention Center will host 29 sessions and workshops in four content tracks between Sunday, April 19 and Tuesday, April 21.
Kicking things off as usual will be “From the Hill to the Summit,” featuring ARA CEO and NAPA Executive Director Brian Graff at Noon EDT on Sunday. Graff will be joined by EBSA Assistant Secretary Daniel Aronowitz, fresh off his testimony Thursday before the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.
Aronowitz and Graff are expected to discuss top regulatory issues facing employer-sponsored retirement plans, including the Department of Labor’s recently proposed regulation addressing retirement plan investment selection and monitoring standards as well as EBSA’s newly stated compliance priorities and enforcement themes.
ARA policy experts Kelsey Mayo and Josh Oppenheimer will then join Graff on stage to share the association’s vision and priorities for the year ahead to conclude the two-hour opening general session.
After some Day 1 workshops, Sunday’s second general session features a keynote from fast-growing non-alcoholic beverage brand Liquid Death Founder and CEO Mike Cessario, titled, “Entertain or Die: Attention in the 21st Century.” He will discuss the ability to generate outsized returns in the modern media landscape with an entertainment-first approach to brand-awareness and brand-loyalty.
Sunday concludes with a traditional Summit After Dark event, 7 to 11 p.m. featuring food trucks, drinks, interactive activations, and an opening set by DJ Shadowman before an exclusive concert from Flo Rida, the rapper and singer who has sold over 80 million records worldwide.
Monday is loaded with sponsored breakfast sessions and breakouts throughout the day. Highlights include a main stage keynote from social entrepreneur, impact investor, and bestselling author Joe Mechlinski, titled, “The AI Productivity Boost: How You Can Reclaim Time, Sharpen Focus, and Stay Human.” He will guide attendees through a hands-on lab where they will build a personal AI system they can use starting tomorrow.
Monday’s educational program concludes with General Session 4, “What Plan Sponsors Value Most in Their Retirement Plan Advisors: A Panel Discussion,” where attendees will learn to identify and organize the key factors plan sponsors prioritize when selecting and retaining retirement plan advisors.
Monday night, Summit After Dark heads to Sparkman Wharf. From 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Summit attendees gain exclusive access to the LightHaus Beer Garden, Splitsville Luxury Lanes, JOTORO Kitchen & Tequila Bar, and more, with games and entertainment featured throughout.
Tuesday morning kicks off with 17 different sponsored sessions before the main program concludes with a light-hearted “Ultimate Retirement Plan Quiz Bowl.”
For more information and the complete agenda, check out the 2026 NAPA 401(k) Summit website here.
SEE ALSO:
• Aronowitz Comments on Alternative Assets, ESOPs, in Latest Hearing
• DOL Unveils Fiduciary Rule Opening Door to Alternative Investments in 401(k)s
• DOL Releases Field Bulletin With Changes