How do I choose the right leadership conference?

The best leadership conference depends on the kind of growth you need right now. If you’re looking for practical leadership systems, stronger team execution, operational clarity, or business growth strategies, a tactical business conference is the best fit. If you want broader inspiration, emerging trends, or general leadership development, a different conference may serve you better. Choose a conference that helps you solve the actual leadership challenges you’re facing and provides a lineup of speakers handpicked by an organization you trust.

Are leadership conferences worth it?

Yes, if you apply what you learn. A great leadership conference gives you space for strategic thinking, leadership development and relationship building with people you trust. The biggest value usually comes after the event through the conversations, decisions and changes you bring back to your business and team. That’s why many business owners prioritize conferences that balance inspiration with practical execution.

What makes a leadership conference useful?

The most valuable leadership conferences usually offer four things: Practical takeaways you can apply right away World-class speakers with proven leadership experience A community of like-minded leaders you can grow with long after the event Leadership content that goes beyond motivation into communication, culture and decision-making Look for a conference that helps you improve your leadership, business performance and team health.

What is the best leadership conference for small-business owners?

That depends on your goals and stage of business growth. Business owners looking for practical leadership training, direct access to coaches, and an end-goal of sustained growth often prefer conferences like EntreLeadership Summit. Other conferences may be a better fit for leaders focused on broad inspiration or aggressive sales growth.

The 5 Best Leadership Conferences for Business Leaders

7 MIN READ | JUN 5, 2026

By EntreLeadership

The last thing you want is a leadership event that leaves you inspired for a few days but changes nothing once you get back to work. The best leadership conferences give you fresh perspective and real-world strategies you can apply right away.

That’s why we’ve put together this list, specifically for business owners, executives, and other growth-minded leaders who are looking for practical leadership development. Ramsey hosts EntreLeadership^® Summit, so naturally we’re partial to it. But we’ve also included other leadership conferences that serve different leadership styles, industries and goals.

Whether you want to strengthen your culture, scale your business, improve communication, or become a more confident leader, these conferences offer valuable insights from some of today’s most respected leaders.

Quick Comparison: Leadership Conferences at a Glance

Conference	Best For	Conference Focus	What Stands Out
EntreLeadership Summit	Small-business owners and leadership teams	Tactical business strategies and leadership development	Focus on growing your business by growing as a leader with customized tracks for both owners and high-level leaders
Global Leadership Summit	Broad leadership development and faith-based nonprofits	Inspirational and principle driven	Diverse speakers and global leadership perspective
Uplift by BetterUp	HR and people-focused leaders	Workplace performance	Focus on mental fitness, culture and human performance
GrowthDay Ultra Masterminds	Personal growth and accountability	Coaching and mindset development	Ongoing mastermind-style growth experience
10X Business Summit	Sales-focused business growth	High-intensity scaling and revenue growth	Aggressive sales, marketing and scaling strategies

The best leadership conference for you depends on your goals. Some focus on broad inspiration while others emphasize practical business growth, culture or operational leadership.

Top Business and Leadership Conferences

1. EntreLeadership Summit

May 23–26, 2027
San Diego, CA + Online

EntreLeadership Summit is a four-day leadership conference hosted by Dave Ramsey and the EntreLeadership team. Owners of small to midsize businesses and their high-level leaders learn practical strategies for becoming stronger leaders and building healthier organizations because we believe businesses grow when you do.

Here’s what you’ll get at Summit:

Proven leadership insights that equip you and your leaders to improve communication, execution and performance
High-touch access to business coaches and leaders throughout the event for real-time guidance and support
A community of purpose-driven owners and leaders who are serious about growth and committed to leading well

You’ll tackle topics that hit close to home, like how to communicate confidently, remain resilient against impossible odds, and build a sustainable life. You’ll leave ready to apply what you’ve learned to your business and life.

Past lineups have included big names like James Clear, Jordan Peterson, Condoleezza Rice, Vanessa Van Edwards, Arthur Brooks, and George W. Bush.

2027 Speakers: Jocko Willink, Jefferson Fisher, Chaunté Lowe, Brian Buffini, Patrick Lencioni, Jesse Cole, Charles Duhigg, Dr. John Delony and Dave Ramsey
Who Should Attend: Growth-minded business owners with more than five team members and their high-level leaders
New! Learning tracks customized for business owners and high-level leaders
Learn more
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

"It’s a hard, lonely road to grow your team on your own. . . . And you can borrow hope from people here that you meet. If they can do it, I can do it.” — Pam Marshall, Founder and CEO, Marshall Pediatric Therapy

2. The Global Leadership Summit

August 6–7, 2026
South Barrington, Illinois + Online + Local Summit

The Global Leadership Summit (GLS) started in the 1990s as just one event. Today, it’s a two-day experience held at multiple locations and is one of the top leadership events in the world. For over 30 years, GLS has made a big difference for businesses, churches, nonprofits and people’s lives. Past speakers have included industry heavyweights like Ron Howard, Bob Iger and Brené Brown. You’ll leave GLS 2026 inspired and with insights you can put into action right away.

2026 Speakers: Craig Groeschel, Priscilla Shirer, Jim Collins, Vanessa Van Edwards, Kwame Christian, Andy Stanley, Candace Cameron Bure and more
Who Should Attend: Faith-based and nonprofit leaders who want to drive change and people looking for leadership inspiration and personal growth
Learn more
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | X

3. Uplift by BetterUp

San Francisco, California
Uplift 2026 has already passed, but the session recordings are available for a limited time.
Check back for 2027 details.

The Uplift by BetterUp annual summit focuses on the people side of performance—how coaching, mental fitness and a strong company culture helps your team do their best. Over two days, you’ll hear from researchers, thought leaders and executives on topics like staying strong under stress, well-being, AI and the future of work.

Sessions mix simple science with practical tools you can take back to your team. The event is designed for leaders who see people as their greatest asset and want to build a workplace that’s both high-performing and healthy.

2026 Speakers: Kristen Bell, Brené Brown, Adam Grant, Dr. Albert Bourla, Payal Sahni, Alexi Robichaux
Who Should Attend: Senior leaders, HR executives and people leaders focused on culture, talent, performance and building future-ready teams
Learn more
Social Media: Instagram | LinkedIn

4. GrowthDay Ultra Masterminds

2026 (Multiple locations across the U.S.)

Ultra San Diego: March 5–7, 2026 (Completed)
Ultra New York: June 6–7, 2026 (Completed)
Ultra Huntington Beach: November 5–7, 2026
Check back for 2027 details

GrowthDay Ultra Masterminds are led by high-performance coaches Brendon Burchard and Lewis Howes. You’ll learn how to level up your mindset, habits and leadership across an entire year. You can attend three events in person in 2026, or if you miss any, you have two years to claim your three.

At each event, you’ll dive in to goal setting, execution, energy management and personal growth alongside a curated group of driven leaders. The focus is as much on who you’re becoming as it is on what you’re building—so you’ll walk away with both strategic clarity and daily practices that actually stick.

2026 Speakers: Brendon Burchard and Lewis Howes
Who Should Attend: High-achieving founders, business owners and professionals who want live coaching, a tight-knit mastermind community, and a structured push to reach their next level
Learn more
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

5. 10X Business Summit

October 23–25, 2026
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The 10X Business Summit, hosted by sales expert Grant Cardone and the 10X team, is built for leaders who want simple, straight-to-the-point strategies to grow. Over three days, you’ll focus on sales, marketing and scaling systems that help your business make and keep more money.

You’ll learn how to get more leads, close more deals, build your brand, and build a team that can handle growth. The tone is direct and tactical, so you’ll leave with specific plays you can run right away.

2026 Speaker: Grant Cardone
Who Should Attend: Business owners, sales leaders and operators who want real-world tools to increase revenue, reach more customers and scale their organizations
Learn more
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

Free EntreLeadership Reading Guide

116 Books Every Small-Business Owner Needs to Read
What should EntreLeaders read? We've got our list of book recommendations, with 100+ book titles on topics like hiring, business strategy, sales, leadership and more!

Get the Free Guide

Want More Leadership Resources?

We know waiting is the hardest part. So while you wait to attend a business conference, here are some powerful learning tools to help you develop your skills and become a more confident leader.

Articles

Podcasts

Books

“We’ve increased revenue by 200% since I started coming [to EntreLeadership Summit.]” — David Swartout, Owner and CEO, Mountain View Medical Center

Frequently Asked Questions – Best Leadership Conferences

How do I choose the right leadership conference?: The best leadership conference depends on the kind of growth you need right now. If you’re looking for practical leadership systems, stronger team execution, operational clarity, or business growth strategies, a tactical business conference is the best fit. If you want broader inspiration, emerging trends, or general leadership development, a different conference may serve you better.

Choose a conference that helps you solve the actual leadership challenges you’re facing and provides a lineup of speakers handpicked by an organization you trust.
Are leadership conferences worth it?: Yes, if you apply what you learn. A great leadership conference gives you space for strategic thinking, leadership development and relationship building with people you trust. The biggest value usually comes after the event through the conversations, decisions and changes you bring back to your business and team. That’s why many business owners prioritize conferences that balance inspiration with practical execution.
What makes a leadership conference useful?: The most valuable leadership conferences usually offer four things:

Practical takeaways you can apply right away

World-class speakers with proven leadership experience

A community of like-minded leaders you can grow with long after the event

Leadership content that goes beyond motivation into communication, culture and decision-making

Look for a conference that helps you improve your leadership, business performance and team health.
What is the best leadership conference for small-business owners?: That depends on your goals and stage of business growth. Business owners looking for practical leadership training, direct access to coaches, and an end-goal of sustained growth often prefer conferences like EntreLeadership Summit. Other conferences may be a better fit for leaders focused on broad inspiration or aggressive sales growth.

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About the author

EntreLeadership

EntreLeadership^® is the part of Ramsey Solutions that exists to help small-business owners thrive by mastering themselves, rallying their teams, and imposing their will on the marketplace. Thousands of leaders use our proven EntreLeadership System and resources to develop as leaders and grow their businesses. These resources include The EntreLeadership show, EntreLeadership business coaching^™, books, live events, and business workshops. Learn More.