YOU’RE INVITED TO
MAIN STREET
SUMMIT
BUILDING BONDS AMONG BUSINESS BUILDERS
S E P T E M B E R 1 5 – 1 7 , 2 0 2 6 · C O L U M B I A , M I S S O U R I
Spend three days with over 1,200 owners, operators & investors — and leave with friends, resources, and encouragement.
A festival in mid-Missouri? If that sounds odd, keep reading…
HOME SERVICES · CONSTRUCTION · MANUFACTURING · HEALTHCARE · E-COMMERCE · FAMILY BUSINESSES
INVESTORS · OPERATORS · FOUNDERS
WHY JOIN?
DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT.
"Main Street Summit is unquestionably the most valuable business event I attend each year. The content itself is great but what really makes it is the conversations that happen in between on walks, at lunch, etc. Inspiration abounds. I leave committed to doing more..."
— Rob LaBonne, President, LaBonne's Markets
"Main Street Summit reminded me why I'm drawn to this community. The practical insights, the generosity with hard-won lessons, the willingness to help each other succeed — it's all there once you create space for honest conversation."
— Taylor Gentry, Founding Partner, Panoramic Capital Partners
"Appreciated the opportunity to speak at this year's Main Street Summit in Columbia. Missouri's small businesses help drive our economy forward, and we're proud to support the folks who keep our communities growing."
— Mike Kehoe, Governor, State of Missouri
"What stood out most was the authentic sense of community. Relationship-building wasn't a side effect — it was the point… In the age of AI, human connection and in-person community matter more than ever. Main Street Summit elevates both in a way that feels authentic and refreshing."
— Martin Myers, CEO & Co-Founder, Trelus
COME READY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT’S HARD.
EVERYONE ELSE WILL.
Around here, the conversations run on candor. Wins get celebrated — but it’s the hard stuff, said out loud to people who get it, that folks come back for.
WHY TRAVEL TO MID-MISSOURI?
WE DON’T HAVE ANY CONFERENCE ROOMS.
As a college town, Columbia, Missouri offers a walkable downtown, small venues with character, plenty of eateries, and late-night spots for solving all the world’s problems (or at least sharing a good laugh). And the historic Missouri Theatre is our home base.
MISSOURI THEATRE
A 1928 movie palace — Main Stage sessions, morning and afternoon.
THE DEPOT
Pass pick-up and your first hello. The buddying-up starts here
CURATED LUNCHES
The best tables in town, seated to put you next to people worth knowing.
THE ATRIUM ALL - IN
Espresso, fresh food all day, live music, and In the Trenches conversations.
THE GENERAL STORE
Merch, coffee, and the meeting point for people who said “let’s connect” and meant it.
LATE NIGHT
The world’s problems get solved, or at least laughed at, starting at 9pm.
What is Main Street Summit?
We’re a 3 day festival-style small business event bringing 1,200+ folks together in Columbia.
Why Attend?
Get ahead of the curve with insights from industry leaders, successful operators, and investors who are shaping the future of small business across various industries.
See What’s Next for the Small Business Community
Discover the strategies, technologies, and market shifts that will define success in 2026 and beyond. Then apply them to your business to unlock new growth.
Learn about the Trends Impacting Small Business
Make New Connections and Build new Relationships
Connect with 1,200+ fellow owners, operators, and investors who understand your challenges and can become your next partner, customer, or mentor.
WhO Should Attend?
Main Street Summit brings together the people who build, run, and invest in small and mid-size businesses doing $5m-$50+mm in revenue per year.
You built something from nothing, and you're figuring out what comes next - whether that's scaling to your next milestone, professionalizing operations, or planning an eventual exit. You run companies doing $1M–$50M+ in revenue across industries like home services, construction, healthcare, manufacturing, and more.
You'll walk away with new strategies, sharper operations, and a network of owners who actually get it.
Owners, Founders & CEOs
You're the one making it run. You manage the people, the processes, and the P&L - and you're always looking for an edge. Whether you're a GM running a single location or a COO overseeing a portfolio of companies, you're here to learn from operators who've solved the problems you're facing right now.
You'll leave with tactical playbooks and connections that make you better at your job on Monday morning.
Executives & Key Company Leaders
You're looking for your next deal - or your next hundred. Whether you're a first-time searcher, an independent sponsor, or part of a fund acquiring small and mid-size businesses, Summit puts you in the room with owners, operators, and fellow investors who are actively doing deals in the lower middle market.
You'll find deal flow, co-investors, and operating partners all in one place.
Acquirers, Searchers & Capital Allocators
You don't need another team retreat - you need three days that actually move the business forward. Bring your leadership team to Summit to land & expand. Everyone comes home with a shared vocabulary, a unified game plan, and the kind of alignment that takes months to build over Zoom.
You'll return as a sharper, more connected team - and capture 4–5x the insights you'd get sending one person alone.
Leadership & Growing Companies
Passes
Classic Pass
$1,250
$1,500 Retail
Increasing to $1,500 on August 1st
Classic Pass gets you full access to all of the sessions across the various downtown Columbia venues. Plus, you’ll have access to the all-new Classic lounge.
✔ Access to all programming & sessions
✔ Access to Main Stage Sessions
✔ Access to the all-new Classic Lounge
✘ Access to the Atrium
✘ Invites to Field Trips
✘ Priority access to sessions
All-In Pass
$5,500
$6,000 Retail
Increasing to $6,000 on August 1st
All-In Pass is All-Inclusive. It includes everything in Classic, plus access to the Atrium, Field Trip experiences, and exclusive invitations to on-site events.
✔ Full access to all programming
✔ Priority access to book sessions
✔ Full access to the Atrium (free meals, coffee, drinks, and other refreshments)
✔ Special invites to the all-new Field Trips
✔ Special invites to Curated Lunches
All-In Perk: The ATrium
All-In Pass holders receive access to The Atrium, a luxury experience open throughout the event.
You’ll have all-day access to a full espresso and coffee bar and a wide variety of craft snack options. Endless freshly-made food items prepared to grab and enjoy in the lounge or while on the move. An incredible refreshment station including a fun array of sparkling waters, craft sodas, kombuchas, and teas to keep your energy high.
Live music throughout the days will accompany small-group tastings, workshops, and in The Trenches Q&As with select speakers before or after they present.
The Atrium will offer versatile spaces built for conversation and connecting with fellow attendees and speakers. It’s an immersive space to converse, relax, meet, work, eat, play, and reconvene.
Connect with Speakers
Speaker Q&A in The Trenches
exclusive tastings & activites
food & Drinks
space to converse
build relationships
2026 Speakers
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Peter Mallouk
President & CEO of Creative Planning and the new majority owner of Major League Soccer team, Sporting KC
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Sassie Duggleby
Co-Founder & CEO of Venus Aerospace, building rocket engines that could fly you from San Francisco to Tokyo in under two hours
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Jim McKelvey
Co-founder of Square (Block) who built a payment system now serving 4 million merchants and processing $228 billion annually
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Kanyi Maqubela
Managing Partner at Kindred Ventures who backed Reddit, Upstart, and Coinbase before their IPOs
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Dupree Scovell
Third-generation CEO of Woodbine Development, the $7 billion real estate firm behind iconic hotels like The Driskill and Hotel Emma
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Shane Parrish
Former spy turned Wall Street influencer, whose million-subscriber Farnam Street newsletter and NYT bestseller teach decision-making to Fortune 500 CEOs
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John Linehan
President of Irresistible Foods Group, the portfolio company behind King's Hawaiian, Grillo's Pickles, and Killer Brownie—brands that grew from family recipes to $500M+ businesses under his leadership
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Todd Peterson
Former NFL kicker turned serial entrepreneur who co-founded a $160M Bible translation alliance and owns multiple small businesses
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Bryce Roberts
Founder at INDIE VC
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Isaac French
Founder, Experiential Hospitality
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Nathan Barry
CEO & Cofounder of Kit
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Shegun Otulana
Founder & CEO, Harmony Venture Labs
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Rina White
Partner, Twain Capital
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John Coleman
Managing Partner, Sovereign's Capital
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Jamie Shah
President, Chem-Impex
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Bill D'Alessandro
VP of Corporate Development, FoodScience
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More Speakers Coming...
We're bringing in operators and builders who've done the work — not just talked about it. More speaker annoucements coming soon!
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Want to refer a speaker?
Do you know someone who would be a great addition to our speaker lineup? Nominate a speaker by filling out the form below.
Summit AGenda
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12:00 PM
Arrive, settle in, and begin exploring the heartbeat of Main Street Summit.Pass pick-up at The Depot (until 7:00 PM)
The Atrium open (until 7:00 PM)
The General Store open (until 7:00 PM)
12:30 PM
Gathering spaces come alive with curated activations, immersive brand moments, and unexpected discoveries woven throughout the day.Activations (All-In Only)
Culinary Experiences (All-In Only)
Field Trips (All-In Only)
6:00 PM
The community comes together for the official Main Street Summit kickoff — an energetic Welcome Gathering filled with music, connection, incredible food, and the unmistakable feeling that something special is about to happen. -
7:00 AM
Morning movement and wellness experiences offer attendees a chance to recharge before the day begins. After that, the coffee flows, breakfast is ready, conversations spark early, and the Summit hums with anticipation as attendees ease into the day.The Atrium open (until 7:30 PM)
The General Store open (until 7:30 PM)
The Depot open (until 7:30 PM)
Sponsored Breakfasts Available
9:30 AM
Main Street Summit programming officially begins with thought-provoking conversations, big ideas, and inspiring moments from the Main Stage at Missouri Theatre, designed to challenge and energize.11:30 AM
Continued conversation and connection over curated lunches happening at all the best eateries throughout downtown.1:00 PM
Attendees choose their own adventure as they explore a wide range of Summit Sessions, workshops, activations, and collaborative spaces tailored to every kind of owner, operator, and investor. Unexpected moments and spontaneous connections wait around every corner.4:00 PM
The Main Stage at Missouri Theatre returns with dynamic conversations, insights, and can't-miss Summit moments.5:30 PM
Curated happy hours and lively dinner experiences unfold across downtown, each offering its own atmosphere, flavor, and energy.6:30 PM
An evening dinner experience filled with immersive food stations, music, cocktails, and memorable surprises — reserved exclusively for All-In passholders.8:00 PM
For those not ready to call it a night, late-night experiences continue across the Summit, from games and storytelling to spirited debates, off-the-record conversations, and unforgettable hidden gems. -
7:00 AM
The final day begins with wellness experiences, casual gatherings, and opportunities to reconnect before the momentum of the day takes over. Attendees gather once more over coffee, breakfast, and conversation, setting the tone for a final day full of ideas and opportunity.The Atrium open (until 5:00 PM)
The General Store open (until 5:00 PM)
Sponsored Breakfasts Available
9:30 AM
Attendees dive back into Summit Sessions and workshops designed to spark collaboration long after the Summit ends.11:30 AM
Continued conversation and connection over curated lunches happening at all the best eateries throughout downtown.1:00 PM
Final Summit Sessions round out the afternoon.3:00 PM
Fresh perspectives, bold conversations, and closing insights take center stage at Missouri Theatre, bringing lasting lessons to all attendees.5:30 PM
The Summit winds down with celebratory happy hours and dinners, final conversations, and one last opportunity to connect before everyone heads home inspired, energized, and already looking forward to what comes next.
Partner with Us
We’re avoiding the traditional business expo feel and instead cultivating opportunities for authentic interactions between attendees and sponsors.
On Main Street, lasting relationships and community are built through real moments, conversations, meals, coffeehouse meet-ups, and Happy Hours. We want to work with you to craft a brand experience that targets your top priority.
Past Sponsors
Frequently Asked Questions
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Main Street Summit 2026 takes place September 15-17, 2026 in Columbia, Missouri. All sessions and events are held in downtown Columbia within walking distance of hotels and restaurants.
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Main Street Summit is designed for small business owners, operators, and investors across seven industry tracks. Whether you're running a $2M business or a $50M business, if you're building, buying, or investing in small businesses, this event is for you.
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Absolutely. Many attendees bring key team members to maximize learning and ensure everyone is aligned on new strategies and insights. Email team@mainstreetsummit.com to learn more about Team Pass Packages.
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Yes! We know that for many small business owners, your spouse is your biggest supporter. We offer a Spouse Pass for $750 that you can add-on during registration.
Your Spouse Guest gets access to the social events each evening at Main Street Summit:
Kickoff Dinner Event — Tuesday Night Street Festival
Wednesday Night Exclusive Dinner
Thursday All-In Finale Dinner at The Atrium
A few things to know:
This pass is designed for spouses only; we’re not able to extend it to business partners, colleagues, or friends.
Guest access is limited to evening social events. Daytime programming, sessions, and The Atrium are not included.
Passes are non-transferable and tied to the primary pass holder.
Available to All-In Passholders only.
If your spouse is actively involved in running the business and wants full access to sessions and content, we'd recommend a regular attendee pass instead.
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We recommend staying in downtown Columbia for easy access to all venues. Hotel details and special rates will be shared with registered attendees closer to the event.
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Email us at team@mainstreetsummit.com and we'll get back to you shortly!
Testimonials
