We are delighted to share the official dates and location for the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Coastal Conference! The same Beach Retreat in a new full conference format!
📅 Monday, June 22 – Wednesday, June 24, 2026
📍 Princess Royale, Ocean City, Maryland (newly renovated all-suite sleeping rooms and meeting space) - reserve your room here before May 21, 2026.
This annual retreat brings together accounting and finance professionals from across the region for three days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration — all in a beautiful beachside setting.
For 2026, we’re reimagining the program to create fresh opportunities for learning, connection, idea-sharing, and practical takeaways.
We’ve made it easier than ever to learn your way — and the best way is all in! Grab the Full Conference Pass for access to every session, every day. Build your own agenda, dive into the topics that matter most, and earn CPE for the hours you attend and attest to. One pass, total flexibility — and the ultimate conference experience.
For 2026, we’re elevating the Coastal Conference experience. With four concurrent tracks and immersive two-hour sessions each day, you can build an agenda that fits your goals.
Here’s a preview of confirmed sessions and speakers — and this is just the beginning. See each day for the detailed agenda.
Day One – Monday, June 22
Tech, Tax, Audit & Leadership Highlights
- NFP Tax & 990 Issues - Fred Longwood, CPA, MST – Senior Manager, GRF CPAs & Advisors
- Professional Ethical Considerations for CPAs - George Luff, III, CPA, CFE, MAFF, CFF, CVA, Luff & Associates
- Human Leadership in an AI World - Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA, AICPA
- Current State of AI: Demystifying the Tools & Real-World Examples - Nick Damoulakis, Orases
- Yellow Book Update - Tricia Reaver, CPA, Frederick County Government
- Economic Outlook & Tariffs - Chris Sweeney, PNC Bank
- Ethics in the World of AI - Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA, AICPA
- Risk Management - Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA, AICPA
- Upskilling That Sticks: From Content to Capability - Phil Mills, CPA, Aprio
- Employment Law Update (VA & MD), Speaker to be Announced, Blackwell HR
- Rethinking Talent Strategy: How Offshoring Enables Growth & Retention - Heather Karpawich, CPA
Day Two – Tuesday, June 23
Innovation, Compliance & Succession Focus
- Technology Trends for CPAs & CFOs: 2026 Update - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
- Linking It All Together: Audit Planning & Risk Assessment (AU-C 315) - Phil Mills, CPA, Aprio
- Tax Planning Strategies for Today’s Environment - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
- Claude & Claude Work - Nick Damoulakis, Orases
- Ethical AI Practices for CPAs - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
- Nexus – Know Your Triggers - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
- Succession Planning for CPA Firms - Barrett Young, III, CPA, GWCPA
- Microsoft 365 for CPAs: Unlocking Hidden Productivity Tools - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
- Internal Audit in the Government Environment - Tricia Reaver, CPA, Frederick County Government
- Data Visualization for Finance & Audit Professionals - Joe Oringel, CPA, CIA, MBA, Visual Risk IQ
- Leadership in Motion: Steadying the Ship During Change - Janice Stucke, CPA, CREW Network, and Jessica McClain, CPA, CISA, PMP, CGFM, American Staffing Association
- Supervised AI Agents as Audit & Finance Team Members - Joe Oringel, CPA, CIA, MBA, Visual Risk IQ
Day Three – Wednesday, June 24
Technical Updates & The Future of the Profession
- ChatGPT Deep-Dive Bootcamp for CPAs - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
- Federal Tax Update - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
- Alternative Firm Structures - Matthew Bosher, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
- FASB Update - Ryan J. Walker, CPA, Crowe LLP
- Forensic Accounting & Fraud Prevention Techniques - George Luff, III, CPA, CFE, MAFF, CFF, CVA, Luff & Associates
- Smarter Tax Services with AI Tools - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
- Corporate Finance Topic - Janice Stucke, CPA, CREW Network
- The AI Revolution in 2026: What CPAs Should Know - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
- VSCPA & MACPA Town Hall - Rebekah Olson, CPA, Maryland Association of CPAs, and Maureen Dingus, CAE, Virginia Society of CPAs
- Individual Income Tax Update - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
- Designing an AI-Ready Firm - Barrett Young, III, CPA and John Benish, Jr., CPA, CGMA, GWCPA
- Private Equity in Accounting Firms: Pros, Cons & Lessons Learned - Matthew Bosher, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
- Women in the CPA Profession (Roundtable Experience) - Jessica McClain, CPA, CISA, PMP, CGFM, American Staffing Association, Janice Stucke, CPA, CREW Network, Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA, AICPA and Rebekah Olson, CPA, Maryland Association of CPAs
