JUNE 23-25, 2026 · LIVE VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE · 10 CE Hours (ASA Approved)
JUNE 23-25, 2026 · LIVE VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE · 10 CE Hours
Accelerate 2026
Accelerate 2026
DO WHAT MOVES THE NEEDLE
DO WHAT MOVES THE NEEDLE
ACTIVITY IS UP. RESULTS AREN'T.
Busy isn't the same as moving the needle.
VOLUME + FOCUS = VELOCITY
Velocity drives results.
Every session in this event is built around one question: Does this move the needle?
- What actually drives results in today’s market?
- Where your time is being wasted?
- What actions create momentum right now?
WHAT YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH
Leave different than you came in.
Leave different than
you came in.
By the end of these three days, you won't just have notes — you'll have direction.
Clarity
Focus
Practical Strategies
Confidence
Momentum
THE EXPERIENCE
Three days. Full momentum.
Each day is intentionally designed to give you space to learn, reflect, and apply.
The market has shifted. What worked two years ago is not what wins today. Danny Cahill opens Accelerate 2026 with a direct, no-fluff challenge: it is time to reset your standard. Not adjust. Not tweak. Reset. This session cuts through the noise to identify what separates top performers from everyone else right now and what you have to be willing to do differently to compete at that level.
What You'll Take Away- The specific behaviors and mindsets separating top billers from the rest in today's market
- How to recognize where your standard has slipped and what raising it actually looks like in practice
- A clear framework for doing the work that moves the needle — not just more of the same
Danny Cahill is President of Hobson Associates, one of the nation's largest privately held search firms serving the staffing and recruiting industry. A lifelong headhunter, he has helped leaders build high-performing teams and scale their businesses. He is also the creator of AccordingToDanny, the industry's largest online coaching and training platform. A NAPS Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Danny is known for his candid, high-impact approach to leadership, sales and personal performance. A bestselling author and accomplished speaker, he brings practical insight, humor and real-world strategies to help business leaders and recruiters truly move the needle.
Everyone is talking about AI. Not everyone is using it to actually win. Lauren Jones cuts through the hype and shows you where staffing and recruiting firms are getting real, measurable results with AI in 2026. This is not a theory session. Lauren brings practical, implemented examples of how AI is changing what is possible for recruiters and business developers who are ready to use it right.
What You'll Take Away- The AI tools and workflows staffing firms are using to increase output without adding headcount
- How to identify the highest-leverage AI applications for your specific role and market
- A practical roadmap for implementing AI in your firm without disrupting what is already working
Lauren B. Jones is a leading AI educator for the staffing and workforce industry and one of the most sought-after voices on AI adoption today. As Founder and CEO of Leap Advisory Partners and creator of The Real Girl's Roadmap to Mastering AI, she has spent the past four years training thousands of professionals and hundreds of executives on practical AI application. In 2026, she published two books, including an Amazon #1 bestseller. A keynote speaker at Staffing World, SIA Executive Forum and TechServe, Lauren is recognized among LinkedIn's Inspiring Women and the Top Staffing Professionals to Watch.
Most recruiters and business developers are having plenty of conversations. Not enough of those conversations are turning into revenue. Tom Erb zeroes in on the gap between activity and results and gives you the specific language, strategies and techniques to close it. If your pipeline looks full but your numbers are not where they should be, this session is where you get the fix.
What You'll Take Away- The conversation frameworks that consistently move deals forward and convert activity into revenue
- How to identify and eliminate the specific phrases and patterns that stall your conversations
- Practical sales techniques that work right now in the staffing and recruiting environment
With over 30 years in the staffing and recruiting industry, Tom Erb is a trusted expert in talent acquisition and business development. A nationally sought-after speaker, he has presented for organizations like the American Staffing Association and NAPS, helping firms drive growth and win more business. Tom is the author of Winning the Staffing Sales Game and writes for Staffing Success magazine. Recognized as a Top 25 Online Influencer in Staffing, he brings practical, revenue-focused insights that help leaders and recruiters move the needle in sales performance, client relationships and competitive positioning.
If your clients see you as a vendor, you are replaceable. Barb Bruno shows you exactly how to shift from order-taker to strategic partner. This session is a masterclass in how top staffing professionals escape the transactional trap, win more clients and build account relationships that are genuinely hard to walk away from. If you are tired of competing on price, this is where the game changes.
What You'll Take Away- How to reposition yourself as a strategic partner rather than a transactional vendor
- The client conversation strategies that expand relationships and increase retention
- Proven techniques to win more accounts by shifting the focus from orders to outcomes
Barb Bruno is a nationally recognized staffing and recruiting expert, author, speaker and trainer dedicated to helping firms increase sales, profits and performance. A trusted industry voice, she delivers more than 25 speaking engagements annually and has created 18 LinkedIn Learning courses reaching over 3 million professionals worldwide. Barb's innovative Tutor learning platform provides practical video, audio and written training that improves placement rates, redeployment and client relationships. She is the author of the award-winning High-Tech High-Touch Recruiting and Rediscovering Joy. Through keynote speaking, consulting and customized training, Barb equips staffing professionals with strategies that deliver measurable results.
Being good at your job is not enough anymore. The recruiters winning right now are the ones candidates and clients think of first. Benjamin Mena breaks down how elite recruiters build the kind of reputation and visibility that makes them the go-to resource in their market. Not personal branding fluff — real trust that consistently brings the right people to you and creates a pipeline that does not dry up.
What You'll Take Away- How to position yourself as the recruiter candidates and clients proactively seek out
- The content and engagement strategies that build credibility and pipeline at the same time
- Practical steps to build a trusted reputation that generates consistent inbound opportunities
Benjamin Mena is the Founder and Managing Partner of Select Source Solutions, a search firm specializing in government contracting and highly complex recruiting environments. With nearly two decades of experience, he has supported over $600M in contracts and led hiring for some of the nation's most critical programs. He is also the host of the Elite Recruiter Podcast, a top show for recruiting professionals and a recognized voice on AI, content-driven business development and modern recruiting strategy. Benjamin equips recruiters and business leaders with innovative, actionable approaches to stay ahead of industry shifts and create consistent growth in a rapidly evolving market.
Clarity is just the start. Execution is where leaders separate themselves. Mike Lejeune closes Day 2 with a session built around the principle at the heart of every great result: focused action creates momentum and momentum is what moves the ball. This session pulls together the core themes of Accelerate 2026 and gives you a personal framework for translating what you have learned into consistent forward movement in your work and your leadership.
What You'll Take Away- A personal framework for identifying your highest-impact actions right now
- How to break the cycle of busyness and replace it with focused, intentional execution
- The leadership habits that create compounding momentum over time
Mike Lejeune is a leadership development coach, keynote speaker and founder of Lighting the Path, where he helps organizations build high-performing, emotionally intelligent teams. With over 30 years of experience in executive search and leadership consulting, Mike has worked with companies ranging from high-growth firms to Fortune 500 organizations. He is the co-author of EQuip to Lead and author of Secrets to Hiring Right. Known for his engaging, practical approach, Mike equips leaders with tools to improve communication, strengthen culture and drive results. His work centers on one core principle — clarity creates momentum and momentum moves the ball.
This is not a lecture. This is where the real work happens. The Leaders Mastermind is a structured, facilitated session designed to help you process what you have learned, get direct answers to your biggest questions and hear how peers in similar roles are approaching the same challenges. The kind of perspective you can only get when you are in the room with people who genuinely understand.
What You'll Take Away- Real-time answers to your most pressing leadership and business challenges
- Diverse perspectives from peers who understand your industry and your pressures
- A clear set of next steps tailored to your specific situation and goals
Information without application does not change anything. This session is purpose-built to close the gap between knowing and doing. Whether you are a recruiter, business developer or both, you will walk out with a specific action plan — not a list of good ideas. This is where three days of insight becomes the actual work you do next week.
What You'll Take Away- A concrete action plan built around your specific role and current challenges
- Accountability frameworks to keep your momentum going after the conference ends
- Tactical steps you can execute immediately in your recruiting and business development work
Presented in Partnership With
These organizations share our commitment to leadership, growth and impact.
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Industry Experts. Real perspective.
Danny Cahill is President of Hobson Associates, one of the nation's largest privately held search firms serving the staffing and recruiting industry. A lifelong headhunter, he has helped leaders build high-performing teams and scale their businesses. He is also the creator of AccordingToDanny, the industry's largest online coaching and training platform. A NAPS Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Danny is known for his candid, high-impact approach to leadership, sales, and personal performance. A bestselling author and accomplished speaker, he brings practical insight, humor, and real-world strategies to help business leaders and recruiters truly move the needle.
Benjamin Mena is the Founder and Managing Partner of Select Source Solutions, a search firm specializing in government contracting and highly complex recruiting environments. With nearly two decades of experience, he has supported over $600M in contracts and led hiring for some of the nation's most critical programs. He is also the host of the Elite Recruiter Podcast, a top show for recruiting professionals, and a recognized voice on AI, content-driven business development, and modern recruiting strategy. Benjamin equips recruiters and business leaders with innovative, actionable approaches to stay ahead of industry shifts and create consistent growth in a rapidly evolving market.
With over 30 years in the staffing and recruiting industry, Tom Erb is a trusted expert in talent acquisition and business development. A nationally sought-after speaker, he has presented for organizations like the American Staffing Association and NAPS, helping firms drive growth and win more business. Tom is the author of Winning the Staffing Sales Game and writes for Staffing Success magazine. Recognized as a Top 25 Online Influencer in Staffing, he brings practical, revenue-focused insights that help leaders and recruiters move the needle in sales performance, client relationships, and competitive positioning.
Barb Bruno is a nationally recognized staffing and recruiting expert, author, speaker, and trainer dedicated to helping firms increase sales, profits, and performance. A trusted industry voice, she delivers more than 25 speaking engagements annually and has created 18 LinkedIn Learning courses reaching over 3 million professionals worldwide. Barb's innovative Tutor learning platform provides practical video, audio, and written training that improves placement rates, redeployment, and client relationships. She is the author of the award-winning High-Tech High-Touch Recruiting and Rediscovering Joy. Through keynote speaking, consulting, and customized training, Barb equips staffing professionals with strategies that deliver measurable results.
Lauren B. Jones is a leading AI educator for the staffing and workforce industry and one of the most sought-after voices on AI adoption today. As Founder and CEO of Leap Advisory Partners and creator of The Real Girl's Roadmap to Mastering AI, she has spent the past four years training thousands of professionals and hundreds of executives on practical AI application. In 2026, she published two books, including an Amazon #1 bestseller. A keynote speaker at Staffing World, SIA Executive Forum, and TechServe, Lauren is recognized among LinkedIn's Inspiring Women and the Top Staffing Professionals to Watch.
Mike Lejeune is a leadership development coach, keynote speaker, and founder of Lighting the Path, where he helps organizations build high-performing, emotionally intelligent teams. With over 30 years of experience in executive search and leadership consulting, Mike has worked with companies ranging from high-growth firms to Fortune 500 organizations. He is the co-author of EQuip to Lead and author of Secrets to Hiring Right. Known for his engaging, practical approach, Mike equips leaders with tools to improve communication, strengthen culture, and drive results. His work centers on one core principle—clarity creates momentum and momentum moves the ball.
Approved for 10 CE Hours
by the ASA
This conference has been pre-approved by the American Staffing Association (ASA) offering up to 10.0 Continuing Education Hours (CEUs) for your professional development.
INVEST IN YOUR GROWTH
Choose your experience.
Three days. Real insights. Zero fluff.
INDIVIDUAL
Live & In It
$129/ person
TEAM
The Team Vault
$295 / org
ALL ACCESS
The Full Experience
$375 / person
Bringing your team? Group discounts available.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Real results.
Each year, Accelerate gets better and better! This was another incredible year! The sessions were packed with valuable insights and actionable takeaways I can immediately apply to my business. The speakers were engaging, and I left motivated and equipped with new ideas. Mike and his team always deliver a first-class experience - can’t wait for next year!
Conference Attendee
Conference Attendee
A must-attend for staffing leaders and recruiters. This conference was amazing - so much great content from industry experts. I learned a ton and already have a list of action steps to put into motion. I appreciated the multi-day format, which gave time to digest and reflect on what we learned. Accelerate is an energizing experience that helps you grow as a leader.
Conference Attendee
WHO THIS IS FOR
If you're ready to stop spinning — this is for you.
Recruiters
Managers
Business Development
Staffing Leaders
Let's get clear.
Let's get focused.
Let's accelerate.
Let's get clear.
Let's get focused.
Let's
accelerate.
Lighting the Path · mike@mikelejeune.com · 713-906-7151 · lightingthepath.net
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