What Leaders Told Us About 2026
AAIM’s 2026 National Business Trends Survey captured how business leaders across industries are viewing the year ahead and the results were clear. These six priorities reflect where business leaders are directing their attention in 2026, the tradeoffs they are making under economic and workforce pressure, and how those realities are shaping decisions across organizations.
- When the Economy Stalls, So Do We
- Produce More, Hire Less
- Leadership Development Has Reached a Critical Priority
- AI Moves from Experimentation to Expectation
- Investment Leans Towards Tech, AI, and Equipment as Employee Costs Continue to Rise
- Political Uncertainty Is Impacting Business
What You’ll Get From This Session
You’ll understand what business leaders are prioritizing in 2026 and why those issues are taking precedence right now. The session helps you make sense of leadership decisions as they unfold and gives you language that makes conversations with leaders more grounded and productive.
Who Should Attend
This session is intended for executives, leaders, and HR professionals within AAIM member organizations who work closely with business leadership. It’s particularly relevant for those who support decision-making, advise leaders, or are responsible for aligning people and operational strategies with executive priorities.
Event Details
Peoria, IL
February 10, 2026 | 8:30–10:00am
Indianapolis, IN
February 11, 2026 | 8:30–10:00am
Lake Mary, FL
February 12, 2026 | 12:00–1:30pm
February 13, 2026 | 9:30–11:00am
St. Louis, MO
February 17, 2026 | 8:30–10:00am
February 17, 2026 | 2:00–3:30pm
February 19, 2026 | 2:00–3:30pm
Live Online
February 19, 2026 | 2:00–3:30pm
The Leadership Perspective for 2026
As an employers’ association, AAIM has a unique vantage point—connecting survey insights with real-world conversations happening inside organizations every day. The six priorities highlighted in 6 in ’26 reflect how leaders are weighing productivity, leadership capacity, financial pressure, talent strategy, and emerging technologies as they plan for the year ahead.
During this session, AAIM leaders will provide context around what the data reveals and what it suggests about the environment leaders are navigating—without prescribing solutions or a one-size-fits-all approach.
Leadership Capacity & Organizational Readiness
Phil Brandt
President and CEO
Economic Pressure, Cost, and Investment Decisions
Brian Stremlau
Chief Financial Officer
Leadership Bench Strength & Talent Pressure
Brandi Temples
Vice President,
Member Experience
Productivity, Technology, and AI Expectations
Lauren Patel
Engagement Manager
